Aerial Refueling Frequences - Upper Midwest/Northeast United States

One of the more common frequencies that are heard in the 225-400 MHz aero band are the U.S. Air Force (USAF) aerial refueling (AR) frequencies. I have worked with original Department of Defense (DoD) docs and monitoring to update and post the latest AR frequencies for monitors in the upper Midwest and northeast United States.

The are two types of aerial refueling routes: tracks and anchors.

Aerial refueling tracks are established to accommodate refueling operations along a prescribed route. An aerial refueling track consists of an Air Refueling Initiation Point (ARIP), Air Refueling Control Point (ARCP), and an exit point. Navigation check points between the ARCP and exit point are specified, as required, to facilitate navigation along the route. It also includes the tanker orbit pattern at the ARCP, and the altitude block(s) assigned for the track.

The standard anchor area consists of one or more entry points, an ARIP, anchor point, anchor pattern turn points, one or more exit points, and the designated refueling altitude block(s). The standard aerial refueling anchor pattern consists of a left-hand race track orbit with legs at least 50 NM in length. The legs will normally be separated by at least 20 NM. The orientation of the pattern is determined based on the inbound course to the anchor point. Four turn points are designated to describe the anchor pattern.

Each track/anchor has a scheduling unit. That scheduling unit holds clues who is the primary user of the AR routes they control whether it is tankers or receivers. For instance, the 437OSS based at Charleston controls three AR routes and those routes are used by their C-17 aircraft. Various tanker units would support those aircraft when refueling. Any other units wanting to use their routes would have to schedule those activities with the scheduling agency.

The map below shows the various tracks and anchors used by DoD in the upper Midwest and northeastern United States.

Click on graphics to enlarge

Track/Anchor   Primary/Secondary-- Scheduling Agency -- Assigned ARTCC/Controlling Unit


AR-20 341.750/349.700 -- NORAD EADS -- Boston ARTCC/Moncton Center/Gander Center
            305.500/265.650 (Alternate)
AR-80 373.600/343.500 -- NORAD EADS (157ARW/Pease) -- Boston ARTCC/Moncton Center
AR-81 373.600/343.500 -- NORAD EADS (157ARW/Pease) -- Boston ARTCC/Giant Killer
AR-107 324.600/282.700 -- Alpena CTRC (MIANG) -- Minneapolis ARTCC
AR-109H 343.500/320.900 -- 55OSS Offutt AFB -- Minneapolis ARTCC
AR-109L 327.600/320.900 -- 55OSS Offutt AFB -- Minneapolis ARTCC
AR-204 324.600/282.700 -- 305OSS McGuire AFB -- Boston ARTCC
AR-205 327.600/282.700 -- 305OSS McGuire AFB -- Boston ARTCC
AR-206H 348.900/282.700 -- 305OSS McGuire AFB -- Boston ARTCC/Cleveland ARTCC
AR-206L 235.100/282.700 -- 305OSS McGuire AFB -- Boston ARTCC/Cleveland ARTCC
AR-212 238.900/282.700 -- 305OSS McGuire AFB -- Boston ARTCC
AR-217 283.900/282.700 -- 171OSF Pittsburgh ANG -- Cleveland ARTCC
AR-218 274.450/282.700 -- 171OSF Pittsburgh ANG -- Cleveland ARTCC
AR-219 305.500/282.700 -- 171OSF Pittsburgh ANG -- Cleveland ARTCC
AR-220 274.450/282.700 -- 171OSF Pittsburgh ANG -- Cleveland ARTCC
AR-321 276.500/282.700 -- 128ARW (WIANG) Gen Mitchell Intl -- Minneapolis ARTCC
AR-607 235.100/320.900 -- 148FG Duluth MN -- Minneapolis ARTCC
AR-608 343.500/282.700 -- NORAD EADS -- Boston ARTCC
AR-609 276.500/282.700 -- NORAD EADS -- Boston ARTCC
AR-616A/B 283.900/282.700 -- NORAD EADS -- Boston ARTCC
AR-631 295.800/282.700 -- NORAD EADS -- Boston ARTCC
AR-632 238.900/282.700 -- Alpena CTRC (MIANG) -- Minneapolis ARTCC
AR-640A 305.500/320.900 -- CRTC Volk Field ANGB (WIANG) -- Chicago ARTCC
AR-640B 291.900/320.900 -- CRTC Volk Field ANGB (WIANG) -- Chicago ARTCC

AR by Frequency List

235.100 AR-206L (P)/ AR-607 (P)
238.900 AR-212 (P)/ AR-632 (P)
265.650 AR-20 (S Alt)
274.450 AR-218 (P)/ AR-220 (P)
276.500 AR-321 (P)/ AR-609 (P)
282.700 AR-107 (S)/ AR-204 (S)/ AR-205 (S)/ AR-206H (S)/ AR-206L (S)/ AR-212 (S)/ AR-217 (S)/ AR-218 (S)/ AR-219 (S)/ AR-220 (S)/ AR-321 (S)/ AR-608 (S)/ AR-609 (S)/ AR-616A/B (S)/ AR-631 (S)/ AR-632 (S)
283.900 AR-217 (P)/ AR-616A/B (P)
291.900 AR-640B (P)
295.800 AR-631 (P)
305.500 AR-20 (P Alt)/ AR-219 (P)/ AR-640A (P)
320.900 AR-109H (S)/ AR-109L (S)/ AR-607 (S)/ AR-640A (S)/ AR-640B (S)
324.600 AR-107 (P)/ AR-204 (P)
327.600 AR-109L (P)/ AR-205 (P)
341.750 AR-20 (P)
343.500 AR-80 (S)/ AR-81 (S)/ AR-109H (P)/ AR-608 (P)
348.900 AR-206H (P)
349.700 AR-20 (S)
373.600 AR-80 (P)/ AR-81 (P)

I am working on some additional milair frequency lists and will post them here on the MilcomMP as I complete them so check back often.

Good hunting de Chief