MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C.- --
Aerial refueling enables
aircraft with short ranges of flight to significantly extend their operational
reach. Marine Aerial Refueler Transport
Squadron 252 provides this
capability and enables missions to be executed more efficiently, which gives
the pilots the ability to provide quicker and more extensive support to the
Marines on the ground.
“The squadron utilizes the
KC-130J Super Hercules to conduct all refueling operations,” said Cpl. Peter
Kaslaitis, a crewmaster with VMGR-252. “A team of qualified crew members are
required to perform an in-flight refuel. The pilot and co-pilot fly the
aircraft; one crew member maintains radio communication with the receiving
aircraft; a crew chief or crew master transfers fuel using the aerial refueling
panel and two load masters or crew masters observe the aerial refuel.”
According to Kaslaitis,
to perform a routine aerial refuel, the refueling aircraft will establish itself
in a designated airspace called the refueling track. In this area it will fly
in circles waiting for the receiving aircraft to approach. In some cases, the
refueling aircraft will take off with the receivers, or meet in-flight and fly
from point A to point B refueling along the way.
Crew members
maintain constant communication with pilots of the refueling aircraft and
provide guidance on the refuel over the radio and by utilizing hand and arm
signals.
“Approximately 20
aerial refuels are conducted every month by VMGR-252,” said Kaslaitis. “The
training benefits both crew members of the squadron and the aircraft that
receive the fuel. Coordination between both aircraft requires strategic skills
from all participating entities.”