Photo By Senior Master Sgt. Brian Ellison | Airman work to attach a "Y" connector to a hose during the set-up phase of the...... read more read more
When you think of the 126th Air Refueling Wing, you think of aerial refueling. This week, the wing’s focus was on refueling aircraft on the ground from a 50,000-gallon bladder.
The wing led a total force, week-long Quartermaster Liquid Logistics Exercise at the beginning of June, a readiness event known locally as Valiant Raptor.
The event is part of a larger U.S. Strategic Command-directed series of events designed to validate emerging and innovative tactics, techniques and procedures. It also assesses joint operational readiness and supports directed training events.
The QLLEX is a U.S. Army Reserve exercise for fuel and water distribution. It is meant to demonstrate the Army Reserve’s capability, combat readiness, and lethality.
The fuel came from Grissom Air Force Base, Indiana delivered by the 316th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), Army Reserve, from Pennsylvania.
The Fuels Operational Readiness Capability Equipment issued by the 635th Materiel Maintenance Support Squadron, at Holloman AFB. The 635th MMSS is part of the 635th Supply Chain Operation Wing at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, which the 126th ARW has an active association.
The setup took a day and a half, which included unloading the equipment that arrived on tractor trailers, positioning the pumping and filtering equipment, hooking up hoses, and finally setting up the berm and the bladder.
Several Petroleum, Oil, and Lubricants Airmen from the 375th Airlift Wing, 171st Air Refueling Wing, Pennsylvania Air National Guard, and crew chiefs with the 932nd Airlift Wing, Air Force Reserve, came to help with the exercise.
It took more than just POL troops to set up the refueling equipment, with more than 30 personnel helping to set-up for the refueling operation.
“Getting a team together from across the wing and accomplishing all this… wow, just wow,” said Senior Master Sgt. Mike Jansen, 126th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.
The exercise did have its obstacles to overcome, such as weather.
“The rain was a hindrance, but it didn’t stop us,” said Senior Master Sgt. Joshua Nilles, 126th POL Superintendent. “The real challenge was the wind when we were setting up the berm on Tuesday.”
Over half of Thursday and all of Friday, June 5 & 6, the Airmen refueled 9 aircraft, dispensing more than 45,000 gallons of fuel or about 302,000 pounds of fuel.
“I am so impressed by all the talent that was brought to the success of Valiant Raptor,” said Nilles.
| Date Taken: | 06.08.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 06.12.2025 15:46 |
| Story ID: | 500456 |
| Location: | SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, ILLINOIS, US |
| Web Views: | 76 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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