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KC-10 pilot supports air refueling missions in Southwest Asia

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) --  Airmen supporting the KC-10 Extender deployed air refueling mission in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility flew more than 1,000 sorties off-loading more than 108 million pounds of fuel to more than 6,600 aircraft in support of combat operations in the first three months of this year. 1st Lt. Jason Brown was behind the controls for many of those missions.

While deployed from the 305th Air Mobility Wing at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., Lieutenant Brown directly supports combat air refueling missions as a KC-10 pilot with the 908th EARS and the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing.

"Sometimes the day-to-day stuff we deal with shadows the great work we do," said Lieutenant Brown, a U.S. Air Force Academy graduate. "Taking a step back and looking at the big picture helps to show what we do is worth the effort of being here, being a pilot and being in the Air Force."

In the first quarter of 2010, Lieutenant Brown helped support more than 500 "troops in contact" events meaning, KC-10 Airmen refueled aircraft that were providing air-to-ground support for troops in contact with enemy forces on the front lines. Lieutenant Brown said he never quite thought he'd be where he is today.

Lieutenant Brown pilots tanker aircraft and commands crews to accomplish air refueling, airlift, training and other missions. As a KC-10 pilot he plans and prepares for missions, reviews mission tasking, intelligence and weather information and supervises mission planning, preparation and filing of flight plans and crew briefings.

Tanker pilots like Lieutenant Brown ensure aircraft are pre-flight checked, inspected, loaded, equipped and manned for missions. In addition to piloting the aircraft and commanding the crew, he operates aircraft controls and equipment and performs, supervises, or directs navigation, in-flight refueling and weapons delivery.

Furthermore, Lieutenant Brown conducts and supervises training of crewmembers, ensures the operational readiness of the crew by conducting or supervising mission specific training, develops plans and policies, monitors operations and advises commanders. He also assists commanders and performs staff functions related tanker pilot duties.
Supporting the war effort, he said, reminded him of how everything got started for him.

"Being a senior in high school during Sept. 11, 2001, urged many people to join, which had an impact on me, as well so this was my way of doing my part," Lieutenant Brown said. "My best friend from high school is a Marine and has served twice in Iraq. Although I don't nearly experience what he did going door-to-door, he still appreciates the support that we in the Air Force provide with the KC-10s and other aircraft every day."