Omega Tanker (K-707) Air Refueling Procedures Brief

OMEGA 707 TANKER Boeing 707 modified as a tanker aircraft Dual centerline refueling drogues Looks like KC-135 Feels like KC-10 Consistent with NATOPS/USAF/NATO procedures (ATP-56B)

TANKER FEATURES Hose/Drogue Assembly Sergeant-Fletcher design 80+’ long white hose 10’ black markings 20’ refueling range 1’ black markings

10’ BLACK marks Note: this is a picture of an aircraft disconnecting, its positioning is too far away to receive fuel

TANKER LIGHTING Status Light (Dimmable) Position Lighting Green underbelly beacon- fuel is flowing Amber underbelly beacon- tanker is ready Red underbelly beacon- dead hose/tanker not ready Position Lighting Red-lower beacon Green- Lower Fueling Beacon White- Nacelle (dimmable), Fuselage (dimmable) , Logo Navigation Lighting Standard aircraft Green/Red/White

Tanker Status Lights

TANKER RESPONSIBILITIES Tanker arrives 5-15 min prior to ARCT or “On Station” time Tanker provides WX avoidance Tanker maintains ATC or CV comms (Strike/Control freq + Boom)

RENDEZVOUS PROCEDURES Standard ATP-56B/ U.S. Navy Refueling Anchor 250-275 KIAS Left-hand turns unless otherwise required Joint or Navy terminology okay Check-in/Join up Procedure (A/R Freq) Call sign/Offload request Cleared to Port Observation Maintain 1000’ altitude (below) 1 NM lateral separation until visual with Tanker aircraft

AIR REFUELING PROCEDURES Omega Flight Engineer will clear receiver to “PRECONTACT” position Hose in trail, steady amber light - Tanker READY. When stable and cleared “CONTACT,” receiver initiates contact. Once in contact, move hose in 5 -10 ft. Green light on/amber light off/Tanker pumps operating

AIR REFUELING PROCEDURES Proper position is on centerline, at the same altitude as where the basket flew at pre-contact, 5-10 ft in. Note 4-5 black marks on hose (53-73 feet of hose extended) 200-300 gal/min flow rate: depends on receiver’s fuel state (usually lower fuel state= higher flow rate) and fuel tank cross-feed setup Prowler flow rate 150-250 gal/min Monitored/taped by video cameras F/E calls: “back 10”; “up 10” etc.

COMMON MISTAKES Following common mistakes are detrimental to both tanker and receiver: Excessive Closure Rates Initiate your approach with closure under control Poor positioning and control Repeated, Excessive large swings of the hose in contact position Work diligently to remain in position while receiving fuel Excessive disconnect rates Disconnect slowly Disconnecting from outside envelope limits Ensure in initial contact position prior to disconnecting “Leave the basket where you found it”

AIR REFUELING PROCEDURES CONT’D Proper F/A-18 Series Day Sight Picture

AIR REFUELING PROCEDURES CONT’D Proper E/A-6B Series Day Sight Picture 13

AIR REFUELING PROCEDURES CONT’D Proper Night Sight Picture

EXAMPLES OF POOR POSITIONING 1 Left: EA-6B too low and close Right: F/A-18 too low and close Note only 3 markings 15

EXAMPLES OF POOR POSITIONING 2 F/A-18 too close Note only 3 markings 16

EXAMPLES OF POOR POSITIONING 3 F/A-18 too far away Note 5 black marks on hose, 1 blocked by basket 17

POST AIR REFUELING PROCEDURES After pre-briefed offload, receiver initiates disconnect. Reform on RIGHT wing, await wingman. When flight is rejoined, cleared to depart to right. Request rough offload on boom freq once established on right wing.

ABNORMAL PROCEDURES Inside or Outside refueling range (73’-53’) Amber light flashes/green light out Emergency disconnect (BREAKAWAY!) Called by anyone due to an unsafe condition RED lower status tanker light will flash

ABNORMAL PROCEDURES Tanker system failure - both baskets stowed Tanker will RTB/notify controlling agency. Dead hose - steady red light Air refueling will not be attempted on dead hose. Stow the bad basket/extend the backup drogue. Downed aircraft - Tanker will maintain orbit until SAR arrives on-scene.

MORE INFORMATION Omega Air Refueling Website www.OmegaAirRefueling.com More pictures Videos of tanking ops Mission Planning Information Email and Phone Contact Information www.OmegaAirRefueling.com

URGENT SCHEDULE CHANGES Notify Omega Ops Email: Ops@OmegaAirRefueling.com Phone: Ryan Murphy 757-646-0085 Robert Proano 619-534-0235