Tankers from Wichita’s McConnell Air Force Base are participating in Air Force training exercises North of Las Vegas. The location is Nellis AFB
Wichita troops and aircraft engaged in the mission on January 26th.
Wichita aircraft are primarily tankers. Additional aircraft include F-22 Raptors and F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, E-18 Growlers, B-1 Bombers, and A-10 Warthogs.
Wichita is supplying crew and tankers. McConnell has also been tasked with leading the air refueling efforts at the Nevada exercises.
These missions allow crew to practice many elements of air combat that they cannot be fully immersed in without actual combat time.
Wichita tankers play a critical role in making sure the training is successful. They refuel dozens of fighters and bombers in the air throughout the missions.
During a standard day, three “sorties” are performed, which last up-to five-hours and dispense 64,000 pounds of fuel during each sortie.
Without the help of Wichita’s tankers, aircraft in the training missions would have to travel, land, and refuel. Also, there’s a possibility that issues, which do not affect airworthiness could ground the aircraft.
Another vital element of the air refueling is that a single aircraft being removed from the exercises can cause a domino effect, to the detriment of the entire mission. Time on the ground refueling adds an extra liability. Air refueling reduces or eliminates the liability all together. It also allows for substantially more training during the short time the exercises are executed.
The contribution of McConnell Air Force Base makes the Nevada training missions are far more productive and valuable than they would be without Wichita’s crew and aircraft.
ESS wants to say thanks to all of our troops for their dedication to keeping this great nation safe.
McConnell AFB Tankers – Air Force Training Mission
Article by Mike Gamache, Video Producer and Blogger – Colorado Mountain Life.
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