Sunday, April 13, 2008

Aerial refueling flight

The Illinois National Guard has invited me on board a KC-135 Stratotanker while it refuels a F-16 Fighting Falcon. WOW. It promises to be an exciting mission and I am look forward to it.

As I read the orientation flight guidance sheet a few things caught my attention. Everyone receives a pre-flight briefing in order to fly on a military aircraft. When I was in the military I was on a lot of different planes, never had a pre-flight briefing. In order to experience a refueling, they say you will be lying on your stomach in the rear of the aircraft. The only time I laid down in an aircraft was on Choppers taking fire in Vietnam. The aircraft is very loud and they will provide earplugs. I found it interesting the under the section "What to leave behind" was the statement: Firearms are not permitted on Federal military installations or on military aircraft. I have found that when you see an statement like that it probably means someone tried to bring a gun on board. Wonder what they were thinking?

Under "Sickness/injury section" head cold or sinus problems could result in serious head injuries during pressurization of the aircraft (this is not a commercial aircraft designed for passenger comfort). I have never been on commercial plane that refueled another plane, fair is fair.

Under the section "Operation of equipment" in bold capital letters: YOU ARE PROHIBITED FROM OPERATING ANY MILITARY EQUIPMENT ON BOARD THE AIRCRAFT. Wonder why they had to state that so forcibly? I had visions of someone saying they always wanted to fly a really big plane or push the buttons to lower the fuel boom to refuel a F-16, even though they never had a flying lesson or plane refueling training. I am glad they will not let us because I know I would not have any idea of what to do. I only know for sure you can't stay in the sky forever and how you get back on the ground is very important.

Not everyone gets the chance to be apart of such an event I am looking forward to it and will share my experiences with you when I get back on the ground.

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