Travis, Marines team up to refuel MV-22 Osprey

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Christopher Carranza
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The 9th Air Refueling Squadron made Travis Air Force Base history Sunday when its KC-10 Extender refueled an MV-22 Osprey off the coast of San Francisco.

It was the first time Travis has refueled and worked with an Osprey.

"The mission went very well," said Capt. Joshua Schiffer 9th ARS pilot. "We explored the capabilities of the aircraft at different altitudes and they were able to keep up. They performed beyond expectations."

Depending on what the mission profile calls for, the KC-10 can air refuel different aircraft from sister services via boom or drogue, but also can provide airlift support at the same time.

"This was my first flight with an Osprey and it was awesome to experience something like this," said Airman 1st Class Grant Villwock, 9th ARS boom operator. "I was very surprised at how smooth and stable the aircraft was when making and maintaining contact with the drogue."

According to Naval Air Systems Command, the MV-22 Osprey's mission for the U.S. Marine Corps is the transportation of troops, equipment and supplies from ships and land bases for combat assault and assault support. The MV-22 is a Marine medium tiltrotor aircraft which is capable of vertical takeoff and landing, cruise airspeed of 280 knots, an approximate range of 860 nautical miles and capable of carrying three aircrew members and 24 Marines. 

"This was an impressive showing of what the MV-22 is capable of with the KC-10," Villwock said. "It is exciting to add the MV-22 to our repertoire."

The Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 165, based out of Miramar, California, is at Travis with six Ospreys and approximately 100 Marines in support of San Francisco Fleet Week and operational training.

"We tested the interoperability of the KC-10 and MV-22 on air refueling operations and it was an awesome experience for being our first joint flight up," said Marine Capt. Chris Ryan, VMM-165 pilot. "Our support in Fleet Week is to support a shock trauma platoon for a field demonstration and a fly over for the USS America." 

The VMM-165 falls under the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and its mission is to provide combat ready expeditionary aviation forces capable of short notice worldwide deployment to Marine Air Ground Task Force, fleet and unified commanders.

"This joint operation was a great success," said Marine Capt. Chris Montgomery, VMM-165 pilot. "Travis has been very welcoming and has had beautiful flying weather. Kudos to the 9th ARS for the opportunity."