Went on an air-to-air refueling mission today. Sat in the cockpit for take off. Flew all the way to the Canadian border. Then while flying 350 mph at an altitude of about 21,000 feet we fueled another aircraft that was about 40 feet from us. Got to lay down right next to the boom operator as they did the fuel transfer. The back of the plane was sort of like a boat with a glass bottom. Absolutely amazing.
Hit some turbulance on the way home and cargo planes aren't as comfortable as commercial planes. Almost tossed my salad on the landing.
Feeling pretty patriotic today!
Hit some turbulance on the way home and cargo planes aren't as comfortable as commercial planes. Almost tossed my salad on the landing.
Feeling pretty patriotic today!
9 Comments:
Nice! How did you land that one? Make a call-in on a favor? ;O)
Hey that's really cool PM. I got to do a refuel a few years back with the 916th Refueling Wing out of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro, NC. We flew to Florida and went out over the ocean and refueled F-15's and F-16's.
Here are a couple of pics from that mission:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22613062@N04/2452953457/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22613062@N04/2452953437/
-Terry
That is really awesome Mark. Thanks for sharing. Enjoyed seeing your tweets today. I counted it like a play by play. Awesome pics as well. Thanks for allowing us to be a part of the adventure, well sorta. - George
Hi Mark,
I served in the US Air Force for 10 years (4 active, 6 ANG). During my 6 years in the Air National Guard, I had the opportunity to do the same thing. We were on a flight back from Mississippi in a KC135. I got to lay in the belly where the boom operator works. It was an amazing view, like nothing I've ever seen. I remember thinking, "This is probably what the earth looks like to God when He is soaring over us at 500mph". Thanks for your post, oh, and I love your book "Wild Goose Chase", it's on my favorites list. Peace!
Amazing photos! I'm glad you provided details, I wasn't really sure what you were doing (but was excited for you!).
PS. I worked for a government contractor for a few years (I am an HR professional) and got to fly a few "practice" events with the Navy on a Lear jet! It was very exciting, to say the least! The President's secretary asked me how I got to do that (when she had been working there for many years). My response, I kept asking! What fun! (oh, we did a touch down landing too - that was fun!)
I am a church planting pastor and found your blog through Perry Noble's and was excited to read about your refueling mission. About a week ago, I also got to fly with the Air National Guard out of Rickenbacker ANG Base near Columbus, Ohio) on a KC-135 and refuel a C-17 over the Carolinas. It was amazing! Glad you had the opportunity!
"I believe I can fly..." And, so do you!
Use the Transderm Scop patch and you will never get airsick or seasick again.
When I went skydiving, I did not anticipate the rocking ride under the parachute and forgot my patch. I got sick and worried the whole ride down about showering those below with my lunch. Thank God I didn't.
Tony Snesko
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