Originally Posted by
AbjectFutility
In complete darkness? No.
Maybe tankers were updated to NVIS lighting since I quit flying? I had many sorties (yes, at night) where the NVG rejoin, observation position, and pre-contact were just fine. They had to bring the lights up since we couldn't move into contact on goggles.
Gin Bear procedure was commonly blacked out, no comm. Did it plenty.