KC-10 air refuelers showcase skills for media

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Kimberly Lalley
  • 514th Air Mobility Wing public affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  The 514th Air Mobility Wing celebrated the Air Force's 68th birthday two days early, displaying its air refueling capabilities for media in New York City Sept. 16.

Aircrews from the 76th and 78th Air Refueling Squadrons met up at pre-dawn to brief the mission. It was a total force effort involving Air Force reservists, Air National Guard members and active-duty Airmen.

Flight time from JB McGuire Dix Lakehurst to New York City's JFK airport took only 20 minutes but the crew received its brief at 5:15 a.m. for an 8 a.m. departure.

American Airlines rolled out the welcome mat and arranged a gate and reception for media to watch the KC-10 pull up to the terminal at JFK airport.  The KC-10 dwarfed the other aircraft nearby and made an impressive arrival.

The Port Transit Authority arranged a water gun salute as the flight departed to refuel F-15s from the Massachusetts Air National Guard's 104th Fighter Wing. Six F-15s were refueled as aircrews received required training. 

Lt. Col. Rick Berls, 76th Air Refueling Squadron commander, told the media although they make it look easy, it takes a lot of training and skill to do the mission.  To give them perspective, he said the aircraft are traveling at 500 to 600 miles per hour and lining up for gas at one foot per second.  It's an aerial ballet performed flawlessly.

Four boom operators updated their currency on the flight.  Fighter aircraft and another KC-10 were refueled.

Master Sgt. Victor Torres works full-time for the New York Police Department and is a boom operator in the 76th ARS. He said the work is "inherently dangerous" but they are all highly trained in what they do.

Every quarter, boom operators train for the challenges that can occur on a simulator and prepare for the worst conditions to operate safely.

This particular aircraft has special significance for Master Sgt. Ray Cruz, a boom operator in the 78th ARS.  In December 2008 on a routine trip from Moron, Spain, to JB McGuire Dix Lakehurst, a Space A passenger caught his eye. That trip changed his life when that passenger became his wife in 2012.

He has tail number 860030 etched in his mind.  With 32 KC-10s on base, he hadn't flown on that plane in two years.

"The main reason we fly is to maintain proficiency in the aircraft," he said.  He has 21 years of experience.