Photo By 1st Lt. Richard Longoria | A NATO AWACS connects with a KC-135 from the Iowa Air National Guard's for air-to-air...... read more read more
GEILENKIRCHEN, Germany - Maj. Mike Conlee was stationed at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen as a pilot for the E-3A Component from 2008 to 2013. During his five years here, the U.S. Air Force academy graduate flew many missions including operational sorties over Libya and Afghanistan.
After more than a year away from the "relaxed and laid back European lifestyle," Conlee returned to Germany and the Component from Nov. 24 to Dec. 4, 2014, but this time as a KC-135 Stratotanker pilot for the Iowa Air National Guard’s 185th Air Refueling Wing.
As a former AWACS pilot, the major looked forward to being on the other side of the air-to-air refueling (AAR) operations. “It’s different,” he described with a smile. “As an E-3A pilot, your focus is on controlling your aircraft and connecting with the boom to get fuel. As the tanker pilot, you are in-charge of the formation and responsible for the safety of both aircraft.”
His prior experiences definitely gave him an advantage this time around. “I have familiarity with the local flying tracks and I understand what to expect from the AWACS, so that gave me an edge on situational awareness while executing AAR missions over Germany,” Conlee said. “Plus, I know the instructor pilots and what they are focusing on inside of the E-3A.”
During his two-week deployment to Geilenkirchen, Conlee flew nine sorties and off-loaded 201,134 liters of fuel to NATO AWACS.
However, it wasn’t all about work for the United Airways pilot. “I was excited to return,” the major explained. “I made some fantastic friendships here, and this deployment was a great opportunity to see some of the amazing people I know.”
| Date Taken: | 12.10.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 12.10.2014 10:20 |
| Story ID: | 149926 |
| Location: | GEILENKIRCHEN, NW, DE |
| Web Views: | 505 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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