Contracted Refueling
07-23-2008 | 08:32 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Gets Weekends Off
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From: I pilot
Contracted Refueling
07-23-2008 | 09:05 PM
#2
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Engines Turn or People Swim
The navy has used civilian oilers (government and privately owned) to refuel ships at sea for years. Works great in non-combat zones, but combat-capable military-manned oiler/supply ships are also part of the fleet for obvious reasons.
07-24-2008 | 05:07 AM
#3
Gets Weekends Off
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These folks have been providing air-to-air refueling for Navy/Marine aircraft for years (but not in combat zones that I know of). Looks like they just added a KC-10 to their fleet.
I say it's for real. Not a whole lot different than contract aircraft (World, Omni, Polar, Atlas, Gemini, etc.) transporting troops and cargo into/out of the theater. They are all operating in/transiting through "combat airspace."
Omega Air Refueling
I say it's for real. Not a whole lot different than contract aircraft (World, Omni, Polar, Atlas, Gemini, etc.) transporting troops and cargo into/out of the theater. They are all operating in/transiting through "combat airspace."
Omega Air Refueling
07-24-2008 | 05:49 PM
#6
Gets Weekends Off
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From: On the Rock
I have shared airspace with the Omega guys and also talked to several crews when I was a KC-135 guy. They are all ex 135 or KC-10 folks so they mix well with AF tankers. As they are drogue only, the Navy/Marines are their primary customers. I wonder if they will add a boom jet to their inventory with this latest news. That would be good news for some retiring boom operators still wanting to "put the pole in the hole."
