Two refuelers, one squadron can handle any situation

SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- The only Air Force squadron that consists of both the KC-10 Extender and the KC-135 Stratotanker is supporting operations throughout Southwest Asia.

"We have one-third of the air refueling assets as far as the aircraft and the crews go, but we provide almost 50 percent of air refueling in the area of responsibility," said Lt. Col. Kurt Meidel, 908th Air Refueling Squadron commander.

The squadron supports operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, and on occasion the Horn of Africa.

"You can't compare the two aircraft because both have their good qualities and their bad qualities," Colonel Meidel said.

The KC-10 has the capability to refuel aircraft using a drogue or a boom every time it goes out. The KC-135 must be configured for one or the other before it takes off, Colonel Meidel said. On average, the squadron flies 10 to 11 missions a day, with 70 to 80 aircraft receiving fuel about 1 million pounds of gas. In a month, the squadron will refuel 2,000 to 2,400 aircraft.

"We make sure we get the gas to the guys up there, so they can protect the guys on the ground," said Maj. James Greathouse, a KC-10 pilot.

The crews here fly about once every two days, keeping the KC-10s and KC-135s in the air around the clock.

"We have a unique capability here," Colonel Meidel said. "The crews are amazing. They are either flying, on crew rest, or on alert during the 60 days they are here."

Moreover, flying both the KC-10 and KC-135, the squadron can handle whatever mission comes along.

"We are always flexible," Colonel Meidel said. "It doesn't matter if the plane is not on our schedule, we will refuel it if it needs it."