60 AMW KC-10 A/A Frequencies

For my west coast readers, Travis AFB 60 AMW KC-10A tankers have two VHF interplane (Air/Air) frequencies assigned to them. Keep an ear out for activity on
138.875 (primary) and 139.925 (secondary) MHz.

Travis "Freedom Launch" hones skills, remembers 9/11

A 22-aircraft "freedom launch" took place at Travis AFB, Calif., Sept. 11, 2013. Seven C-17 Globemaster IIIs, 11 KC-10 Extenders and four C-5B Galaxies from the 60th Air Mobility Wing launched consecutively over 36 minutes to take part in Air Mobility Command missions. The first plane in the lineup, a C-17, launched at 8:46 a.m., the same time terrorists crashed American Airlines Flight 11 into the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City 12 years earlier. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ken Wright) 

by 2nd Lt. Jessica Clark,  60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Travis conducted a mass launch of 22 mobility aircraft Sept. 11, 2013, to practice the combat capability of safely launching a large number of aircraft.

During the operation, dubbed the "Freedom Launch," seven C-17 Globemaster IIIs, 11 KC-10A Extenders, and four C-5 Galaxies departed in 36 minutes and 21 seconds on both operational and training missions. The launch also provided essential training for mobility capabilities for flight operations, operations support, aircraft maintenance, fuels and air traffic control.

Today's mass launch of three types of aircraft was the largest ever at Travis.

The Freedom Launch also served as a remembrance of 9/11, as the first C-17 Globemaster III took off at 8:46 a.m., the same time the first plane crashed into the World Trade Center's North Tower on Sept. 11, 2001.

 

A Joint Connection in the Skies Over Afghanistan

An F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to the Black Aces of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41 refuels from a U.S. Air Force KC-10 Extender aircraft. The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is on a deployment to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Graham Scarbro/Released)

USS NIMITZ, At Sea (NNS) -- Air Force tankers provide a vital in-flight refueling lifeline to extend Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 missions over Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).

CVW 11 aircraft assigned to the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) leave the flight deck from hundreds of miles away to support troops on the ground in Afghanistan. The KC-10A Extender is an airborne gas station capable of delivering 350,000 pounds of fuel per mission to U.S. and coalition aircraft.

"We work very well with our coalition partners both in the air, U.S. Air Force and other coalition air forces from the region, and with the troops on the ground," said Rear Adm. John W. Miller, commander, Nimitz Carrier Strike Group/Carrier Strike Group 11, "We are all on the same team and we are all trying to accomplish the same mission."

CVW 11 aviators work with Army air controllers on the ground and Air Force assets in the sky to provide joint precision support to counter insurgency operations.

"Without the ability to utilize joint tanker operations we would be unable to provide the continuous un-interrupted support of ground forces in Afghanistan," said Lt. Tommy Kolwicz, assistant operations officer for Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 97.

Since entering the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Operations Sept. 18., CVW 11 has flown more than 1,800 sorties and totaled more than 10,000 cumulative flight hours in support of OEF.

Nimitz provides 30 percent of the close air support to the coalition force in Afghanistan.

Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is comprised of Nimitz, embarked CVW 11, embarked Destroyer Squadron 23, and the Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Chosin. Ships assigned to Destroyer Squadron 23 include the destroyers USS Pinckney, USS Sampson and the frigate USS Rentz.

Squadrons from CVW 11 include the "Black Aces" of Strike Fighter Squadron 41, the "Tophatters" of VFA 14, the "Warhawks" of VFA 97, the "Sidewinders" of VFA 86, the "Indians" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 6, the "Black Ravens" of Electronic Attack Squadron 135, the "Providers" of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 30 and the "Wallbangers" of Carrier Airborne Command and Control Squadron 117.

Helicopter detachments include the "Easy Riders" of Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Light 37, the "Battle Cats" of HSL 43, the "Wolfpack" of HSL 45, the "Scorpions" of HSL 49 and the "Wildcards" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 23. Also accompanying the Nimitz CSG are Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 11 and the USNS Bridge.

Nimitz and CVW-11 Operating in the 5th AOR

F/A-18 strike fighters, assigned to the Black Aces of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41 and the Warhawks of VFA-97 embarked aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), refuel from an Air Force KC-10 Extender from the 305th Air Mobility Wing (AMW). The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo/Released)

Airmen expand Air Force global reach with KC-10s

By Senior Airman Ross M. Tweten, 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

Senior Airman Douglas Martin marshals a KC-10 Extender from its parking space in order to launch for a mission March 27 at a base in Southwest Asia. Providing 6.5 million pounds of jet fuel weekly, the KC-10 and the Airmen of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing who support it give global reach to U.S. and coalition aircraft supporting operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Airman Martin is a 380th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Levi Riendeau)

SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- Providing 1 million gallons of jet fuel weekly, the KC-10 Extender and the Airmen of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing who support it give global reach to U.S. and coalition aircraft supporting operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

"The common theory on tankers is that we are a force multiplier; we make one aircraft the equivalent of two," said Lt. Col. Tim White, the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron commander.

"But, I would also argue we're a force magnifier," he said. "We multiply the aircraft effect, true, but we make that fighter faster with more burner time and quicker turns back into the fight. We make that bomber more agile as it doesn't have to be fully laden with fuel because we're right there. And we make the airlifter quicker on the ground as it doesn't need to be completely filled, allowing us to refuel it en-route to the next destination."

The Airmen of the 908th EARS provide a significant amount of the fuel to combat aircraft in the area of responsibility, said Master Sgt. Daniel Rando, 908th EARS superintendent and boom operator. Without fuel in the air, the coalition fighter and bomber flight times would be greatly reduced, leaving ground forces vulnerable to enemy attack. With air refueling, an aircraft can theoretically stay airborne indefinitely.

Several specialties, from boom operators, maintainers, fuels specialists, pilots, and navigators, support the KC-10 and its mission. They are aware how significant their efforts are to the fight.

"The most rewarding aspect for me is knowing that I'm a critical part of a huge mission that saves coalition troops' lives," said Tech. Sgt. Brent Rouse, a 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels mobile distribution. "Knowing the fuel I give to the KC-10s is then passed directly to the fighters and bombers that put bombs where they need to go to destroy the enemy is a great privilege."

Combined, the capacity of the KC-10's six tanks carry more than 55,000 gallons of fuel -- almost twice as much as the KC-135 Stratotanker. Using either an advanced aerial refueling boom, or a hose and drogue centerline refueling system, the KC-10 can refuel a wide variety of U.S. and allied military aircraft 2,500 nautical miles away and return to home base within the same mission.

"It's an honor to be part of this heritage and part of the team of men and women who, realizing their responsibilities over their rights, ensure the outstanding mission success rate of the KC-10," said Senior Airman Douglas Martin, a 380th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief.

At the forefront of every Airman's mind is winning the GWOT.

"The diverse capability of the KC-10 allows us to encounter something different every day," said Capt. Sarah Kaiser, a 908th EARS KC-10 pilot. "Bottom line, the fuel we provide from thousands of feet in the air over Iraq and Afghanistan has a direct impact all the way to the troops on the ground."

Keeping the fuel flowing

12/19/2006 - A KC-10 Extender from the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing pulls into a parking spot Dec. 19 after returning from a mission over Iraq. The air refueler is part of the largest air-refueling unit in Southwest Asia consisting of KC-10s and KC-135 Stratotankers. The KC-10 can carry about 56,000 gallons of gas, enough to fill a sport-utility vehicle 1,400 times. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Jason Tudor)

Iraq Area Control Centers
Balad Center 123.525/274.575
Kirkuk Center 125.300/237.325
Ali Center 132.775/322.050

Terminal Control Areas
Al Asad Approach 147.850/298.025
Al Taqaddum Approach 147.300/125.250/295.850
Balad Approach Sctr A/B 131.900/246.425, Sctr C 123.525/274.575
Basrah Approach 119.400/233.225
Kirkuk Approach Sctr A/B 129.750/264.200, Sctr C 125.300/237.325
Mosul Approach 119.450/259.125
Ali Approach Sctr A/B 126.925/324.925, Sctr C 132.275/322.050