This video is a training flight to work on air to air refueling proficiency. This is a priority activity with the Wing since timely fueling operations can mean the difference between mission success or failure. The side benefit is practice on close formation flying, which we get little of during combat missions.
This flight followed the guidelines of the Wing's 'Advanced Fighter Training - AAR Certification'. The training outlines specific criteria and objectives which are listed below in order to log the Certification. The Wing's goal is to have all pilots certified every 6 months.
The main criteria is a limit of 60 seconds from the acknowledgement of the 'Cleared to Pre-Contact' call until the actual 'Contact' is made, with a limit of only 1 disconnect for less than 30 seconds. It is a challenge for those newer to BMS, but with some practice, you can see in this video that it is possible with time to spare.
Here's the main Objectives for the AAR Certification:
1. Lead the flight on a rejoin to the tanker.
2. Connection fully loaded (bombs and tanks).
3. Connection clean wing (hard than when loaded).
4. Connection in the turn.
5. Connection at night.
6. Connection from Quick Flow position.
This video only showed two of four air refuels we planned. I was able to complete 5 of the 6 objectives in the one flight, but the Certification criteria lets you accomplish it in two separate flights.
For more information, visit us at: www.440thvfw.com
If you are a Falcon BMS F-16 enthusiast that enjoys our level of operations, check out the Recruiting page on our web site for minimum requirements to join the Wing.