OIE '07: air-to-air refueling

Part of the Operational Integration Exercise was a large COMAO (Combined Air Operation) scenario in the afternoon. Targets today were the airbases of Nordholz and Wittmundhafen in Northern Germany. After departure the jets would first fly to the Dutch TRAs to get some fuel of the two refuelers, in this case a USAF KC-135R which flew straight from RAF Mildenhall and a RAF VC-10 which was present at Kleine Brogel. After refuelling the jets would go their own way to the East according a strict pre-coordinated strike and defend plan. After the air battles everyone would return to Kleine Brogel for the debriefing and a finalizing party.

Today, one of the 3Greens reporters joined the VC-10 crew (callsign Esso 11) on their mission. "Trade" (slang for receivers) today would be six French Rafales and six German tornados. Half an hour after take off we found ourselves in a racetrack in TRA 1 and 4 just North of the Dutch Islands. Within minutes the first receivers, four French Navy Rafeles (Igloo 11 flight), joined at our left wing in echelon left formation. Refueling took place in pairs (one behind each wing).

When these four Navy Rafales left, their Air Force colleagues were ready to get some "juice" as well. Flying under callsigns Igloo 53 and 54 they got what they wanted in about twelve minutes and were off in the clear blue sky again. Impressive as this already was three flights of two German Tornados (Igloo 45, 51 and 61) followed shortly and everything went professionally and quickly as trained by NATO doctrine.

When all assets had been refueled we had to wait a bit longer: there might be someone left in need for some extra gas and because we were the last to land in the landing sequence (being the biggest aircraft joining the exercise). We would like to thank the crew of 101 squadron for their time and support.