Post Air Refueling

CHAPTER THREE

LOW-LEVEL AND TACTICAL FORMATION

fuel transfer is complete, the receiver will reduce power and fall back 500 feet and rejoin into the

observation position.

Post Air Refueling

When the last receiver has completed refuel procedures, he will fall back into his receiver

formation in the last position. Once the receiver aircraft are all back in the observation position,

the tanker will clear the receiver formation to detach. The tanker will maintain the refueling

altitude and accelerate ahead of the receiver(s). Another method of separating the refueling

formation is for the tanker to maintain his altitude while the receiver formation descends below

the refueling altitude.

Breakaways

When any crewmember aboard either the tanker or receiver determines that an unsafe

environment exists, he will transmit on the refueling frequency the breakaway call. The call will

consist of the tanker's call sign and the call "breakaway, breakaway." Excessive rates of closure,

receiver overrunning, or aircraft fire/malfunctions are all examples of situations that warrant a

breakaway call. Once a breakaway call has been made the following will occur: the tanker will

immediately accelerate and climb to the top of the block while the receiver will immediately

reduce airspeed by moving the throttles to idle (if safely able) and descend to the bottom of the

block. If there are multiple receivers in formation, then the receiver in the wingman position

should be prepared to immediately turn to a heading away from the other receiver as well if an

overrun situation develops. This should be thoroughly briefed before the flight. Another

rendezvous can be re-coordinated or the refueling mission can be terminated.

Lost Contact Procedures

If at any time the receiver loses sight of the tanker, a breakaway will immediately be called and

executed. If receivers lose sight of each other in formation then the lost sight procedures per the

squadron joint form procedures shall be executed. If receivers in formation enter IMC, then the

squadron inadvertent IMC procedures for formation flights shall be executed. In any case, Lead

shall always be directive.

Example A/R Communications:

TANKER = Stingray 323

RECEIVER = Stingray 330.

Let's assume the requested working area is 5000 - 7000 feet.

Establishing Radio contact (otherwise known as the 15 minute call):

Stingray 323-Tanker, this is Stingray 330 and flight.

Stingray 330, this is Stingray 323-Tanker. Altimeter is 2986. Go ahead.

Roger. Stingray 330 is a flight of 2 climbing to 5000 feet with altimeter 2986.

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TACTICAL/AERIAL REFUELING PROCEDURES