Tankers support NATO summit from Hungary, Bulgaria

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Eric Petosky
  • 323rd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
CAMPIA TURZII, Romania (AFPN) --  KC-135 Stratotankers and aircrews from U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Mobility Command deployed to Hungary and Bulgaria to provide air-refueling support for the NATO summit running April 2 through 4 in Romania. 

The Romanian-led operation will police the sky over Bucharest, Romania, during the summit as well as other support missions and the tanker crews will refuel fighter aircraft patrolling the region. 

More than 200 Airmen have deployed to support the air-refueling mission at both locations. And, according to the 398th Air Expeditionary Group commander, the bilateral cooperation toward the mission has been critical to their readiness.

"Due to outstanding support from the American embassy staff in Budapest, we have worked very closely here with the Hungarian civilian authorities who run the airport and have developed a great working relationship with them," said Lt. Col. Jim Crutchfield, the 398th AEG commander. "At Burgas (airport in Bulgaria), they are working with both military and civilian authorities to make things happen. We are getting great cooperation in both countries and further developing NATO ties with these important allies."

The KC-135, which is capable of carrying 200,000 pounds of fuel, enhances the time fighters and other aircraft can stay aloft. The jet also has enough cargo room for six pallets or 37 passengers, enhancing the Air Force missions of global reach and global power.

All the maintenance on the jets in Budapest is accomplished by Airmen deployed from the 100th Air Refueling Wing at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, said Capt. Brian Vallese, a 712th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron maintenance operations officer. 

"A mission of this caliber is why we train at home station," Captain Vallese said. "My maintainers and I look forward to the opportunity to support such a significant event that brings our NATO allies together."

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