9th ARS supports new generation of fighter

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Madelyn Brown
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  A four-man crew from the 9th Air Refueling Squadron flew air refuel missions July 21 to 25 in support of F-35A Lightning II aircraft from the 412th Test Wing in temperatures surpassing 120 degrees within the Mojave Desert.

"We were there to do what the KC-10 Extender does best," said Senior Airman Spencer Ross, 9th Air Refueling Squadron boom operator. "We were there with the required fuel so that the receiver can continue on and fulfill their mission requirements."

During this mission, the F-35s required aerial refueling to perform sensor fusion and data links test operations. F-35 sensor fusion is software that intelligently combines data from multiple sensors for the purpose of increasing pilot situational awareness.

"The F-35 Lightning II is a 5th generation fighter, combining advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations, advanced sustainment and lower operational and support costs," according to the Lockheed Martin website, the aircraft manufacturer.

The 412th TW is the host wing for Edwards Air Force Base, California, and its mission is to plan, conduct, analyze and report on all flight and ground testing of aircraft, weapons systems, software and components as well as modeling and simulation for the U.S. Air Force, according to 412th TW Public Affairs office. Additionally, the wing influences weapon systems design to make sure it meets operational warfighting, combat support or training requirements. The 412th also operates the U.S. Air Force test pilot school.

During the five-day mission, the Travis KC-10 refueled an F-35 three times, while the fighter conducted its tests within the Edwards Testing Complex and beyond.

"Without a doubt the most striking aspect of these types of missions is the amount of coordination required among all aircrew, maintenance and support personnel," Ross said. "Everyone, either directly or indirectly, gets the jet in the sky and ensures a successful operation."

For the boom operator with roughly 750 flying hours, this was the first experience refueling F-35s.

"I had not refueled F-35s prior to this, but at the end of the day a receiver is a receiver and for me the objective is the same."

That objective, the process of transferring fuel from one aircraft to another in flight, supports the Air Force vision of global vigilance, reach and power through its aerial refuel capabilities, and creates a reality of rapid global mobility.

The success of the wide range of missions and aircraft refuels the 9th ARS is capable of executing depends on careful coordination among agencies, Ross said. The fluidity in organizing operations and planning missions that are set up for success depends on everyone training together.

The support of the F-35 training mission is just one example of the variety of missions at home and abroad the 9th ARS universally sustains.

"My favorite part of the job occurs when we're flying missions down range," Ross said. "Knowing that troops on the ground were directly supported by jets that we've refueled is a very rewarding feeling."

The F-35A test program has completed tests in night flight, night aerial refueling, high angle of attack, intentional departure, high alpha tail slides and inert weapons releases, according to Lockheed Martin. In June, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida became the first F-35A Lightning II Squadron with 26 jets in their fleet. Luke Air Force Base, Arizona received its first F-35A in March. The continued development of fighter technology brings the Department of Defense closer to a more capable and widely operational stealth fighter fleet.

"I truly believe the only way we will make it through the next decade is with a sufficient fleet of F-35s," said Gen. Michael Hostage, Air Combat Command commander, during a January press conference regarding the defense budget.