Thanks to several close colleagues, I was offered the opportunity to attend the Heritage Flight Conference at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona. The Gathering of Mustangs and Legends organizers put together a media event to promote their airshow scheduled for September27-30, 2007.
Part of the promotion was a tanker ride in a KC-135 Stratotanker from Rickenbacker Air Force Base in Columbus, Ohio to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. The 121st Air Refueling Wing provided our aircraft, and an unprecedended "all access" tour during the flights. I was able to sit in the "jump" seats in the cockpit, and even sit in the "Boomer's" position in the tail. MSgt. Bob Derryberry was the Tail Boom Operator, and he lowered the boom on our way to Arizona to allow us to actually "fly" the boom. On our return trip, we were provided a demonstration of actual air-to-air refueling of four F-16 Fighting Falcons of the New Mexico Air National Guard. We were allowed to photograph the refueling, which was really spectacular. While the aircraft were waiting for their place in line, they flew on the wing of the Tanker, so I was also afforded my first opportunity to perform air-to-air photography. The tanker passed 3,000 pounds of fuel to each of the four F-16 jets.
Overall, this was one of the most fantastic things I have ever done in my life. It was a very hectic travel schedule, but well worth it! If you are interested in more detail, drop me an e-mail. Please click on the thumbnails below to enjoy larger photos from the trip.
