Article

2008-01-18 Iraq

Jan. 16 airpower summary: Tankers fuel the fleet

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Posted by Gromomble Oppressor of the Iowans8916 2008-01-18 04:29|| || Front Page|| [6 views ] Top
File under: Iraqi Insurgency

#1 I love that "Sonic Skirt" in the photo.

Posted by Redneck Jim 2008-01-18 13:24|| 2008-01-18 13:24|| Front Page Top

#2 "On Jan. 15, Air Force and RAF tanker crews flew 40 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.0 million pounds of fuel to 191 receiving aircraft."

And this is exactly why the USAF and Congress needs to quit screwing around and award the new tanker contract to Boeing, not Airbus, Boeing. NOW! The 135's are being used at rates greater than forecast and until a new airframe is fielded, they probably will be. It is only a matter of luck and a salute to the skills of the maintainers that there have not been any in-flight breakups of them. It would not surprise me if we witness one before they are all retiered. The existing KC-10s cannot support the current TacAir fleet; the buddy stores on the Super Lawn Darts contributes minimally to the overall in flight refuelling posture as well as diverting a warfighting asset to a support role.

Posted by USN,Ret. 2008-01-18 13:35|| 2008-01-18 13:35|| Front Page Top

#3 Couldn't they just build like a bazillion more Hornettes for the tanker role?

/me ducks and covers

Posted by SteveS 2008-01-18 14:00|| 2008-01-18 14:00|| Front Page Top

#4 Steve: no need to duck and cover, its too easy,
I have 3 Boeing friends that are in the business of giving me full time sh!t re: lawn darts.

Posted by USN,Ret. 2008-01-18 14:50|| 2008-01-18 14:50|| Front Page Top

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