Joint Base MDL captain, Annapolis native, pilots KC-10s on deployed combat air refueling missions

Photo By Master Sgt. Jenifer Calhoun | Capt. Jeremy Leach, a KC-10 Extender pilot with the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, flies a KC-10 during an air refueling mission for the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing from a non-disclosed base in Southwest Asia, April 24. Leach is deployed from the 2nd Air Refueling Squadron, 305th Air Mobility Wing, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., and his hometown is Annapolis, Md.  

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

05.04.2010

Story by Senior Airman Jenifer Calhoun 

380th Air Expeditionary Wing

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Capt. Jeremy Leach is a KC-10 Extender tanker pilot deployed with the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron at a non-disclosed here.

Captain Leach is deployed from the 2nd Air Refueling Squadron, 305th Air Mobility Wing, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., and his hometown is Annapolis, Md. As a KC-10 pilot, Leach directly supports combat air refueling missions with the 908th EARS and the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing.

In the first three months of 2010, Airmen supporting the KC-10 deployed air refueling in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility flew more than 1,000 sorties offl-loading more than 108 million pounds of fuel to more than 6,600 aircraft in support of combat operations. In that process, they supported more than 500 "troops in contact" events meaning they refueled aircraft that were providing air-to-ground support for troops in contact with enemy forces on the front lines.

According to his official Air Force job description as a tanker pilot, Leach pilots tanker aircraft and commands crews to accomplish air refueling, airlift, training and other missions. He plans and prepares for missions, reviews mission tasking, intelligence and weather information, and supervises mission planning, preparation and filing of flight plans and crew briefings.

The job description also states that tanker pilots like Leach ensure aircraft are pre-flighted, inspected, loaded, equipped and manned for missions. In addition to piloting the aircraft and commanding the crew, he operates aircraft controls and equipment and performs, supervises, or "directs navigation, in-flight refueling and weapons delivery."

Furthermore, Leach conducts and supervises training of crewmembers, ensures the operational readiness of the crew by conducting or supervising mission specific training, and develops plans and policies, monitors operations, and advises commanders. He also assists commanders and performs staff functions related tanker pilot duties.

Every time he flies the KC-10, the job description also shows that he must maintain mandatory job knowledge in the theory of flight, air navigation, meteorology, flying directives, aircraft operating procedures and mission tactics.

The 908th EARS is a sub-unit of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing. The wing is home to the KC-10 Extender, U-2 Dragon Lady, E-3 Sentry and RQ-4 Global Hawk aircraft. The wing is comprised of four groups and 12 squadrons and the wing's deployed mission includes air refueling, surveillance and reconnaissance in support of overseas contingency operations in Southwest Asia. The 380th AEW supports operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.

• Date Taken: 05.04.2010
• Date Posted: 05.04.2010 13:52
• Story ID: 49120
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)