Some of the best flying you’ll ever do. Hands down! Air refueling.
The US military has a unique talent that no other nation can claim. We can go anywhere at anytime. Think about that. No other country can do what we do! That’s a tremendous “force multiplier.” (That is, a factor or tool that dramatically increases the effectiveness, output, or impact of a team).
It’s finger-touch flying for the receiving pilot. It’s a workout! In bigger airplanes, getting the gas you need requires 30 minutes plus “hanging on the boom.” No autopilot.
Most often, you absolutely have to have the gas or divert to another location for gas. When you’re hauling the SEALs or DELTA into harms way, that is simply NOT an option. Plus, NOBODY wants to make that “walk of shame” back in the hallways of the squadron.🤣
My personal record is 46 minutes on the boom in moderate turbulence. I felt like I’d survived a round with Mike Tyson.🤣
Closer look at the tail section of the USAF KC-135 63-8028 that suffered shrapnel damage from a Iranian drone/ballistic missile on the ground in Saudi Arabia.