Passing Gas

May, 2010


One of our coworkers from a different area, I’ll call him “Dean” … because that’s his name  … had collaborated with the commander of an aerial refueling squadron at MacDill Air Force Base and had made arrangements for some of us to take a ride aboard a tanker while it was doing a training mission out over the ocean. Dean asked me the usual baiting question, “would you like to go along” and I replied emphatically, ”yes”. He then did the unexpected “switch” part of the “bait-and-switch” maneuver and put me in charge of getting the list of people organized and car pools set up. Alright, I guess that was coming.

Within a couple of days we had 24 folks desiring 20 spots and the coordination had all but been accomplished. There were some last minute changes and challenges, but Robin and I got going around 5 P. M. and headed west toward Tampa. A couple of months earlier we had headed to the west coast and took the longer, slower Tamiami Trail. This time we were in a hurry so opted on I-75. The highway is smooth and fast, and it was relatively empty as we made time across the southern end of the state. We took an absolutely beautiful alternate route once we got into the south part of Tampa, and just barely missed seeing the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico from a high bridge. As Maxwell Smart used to say, “Missed it by that much!”. We arrived at MacDill AFB just past 9:00 P.M. and found that our names were indeed on the list. We obtained directions to the guest hotel (“go four stoplights and turn right, signs will show you the way” … not even close, but we lucked in to it  ) and checked in. We went hunting for food and ended up back off-base at a “Five Guys” burgers place and enjoyed a late night meal (it was actually pretty good, but not the best on the planet) then returned to get a nap. Our bus was to pick us up at 5:30 A.M. so it was a short night’s rest. We all met in the hotel lobby and the bus took us to the NCO mess hall for breakfast. We were served cafeteria style and Robin and I ate full breakfasts for something on the order of $8.00. Not bad at all.

From the mess hall we traveled to the briefing room/passenger terminal where we were checked in for the flight and received our safety briefings. Next we climbed back aboard the bus and went to the flight line (no pictures allowed) where many tanker aircraft were parked. We boarded, got another short briefing and began the first part of the mission … waiting. Now a point of perspective must be that the KR-135 aircraft was built as a war machine and it serves a couple of purposes. Primarily it transports huge amounts of fuel into the sky to allow the cargo planes and fighters to refuel while airborne. It’s secondary capacity is as a cargo mover and as a last function it can carry passengers. Carrying tourists is not what the airplane does best; not at all. There is a row of straight-backed nylon webbed seats along either side of the fuselage. Harnesses hold you in place and there are no seat cushions, arm rests, tray tables, overhead lights or vents any kind. After the door the aircraft closed, we began to discover what the flight crews already know…the air conditioning is painfully inadequate. It began to heat up in the ‘cabin’ as soon as the doors were closed. The outside of aircraft is painted gray and the thing absorbed sunlight like a heat sponge. As soon as we taxied away from our parking area we were informed that the second aircraft would be delayed about 30 minutes, awaiting the rendezvous airplane. We were meant to go as a flight, so we waited also. It got hotter … I don’t think it got much past 100 degrees, but with little air movement, and the noise of the engines, it was pretty uncomfortable. One of our group became claustrophobic and was escorted up to the cockpit to be able to see out and get closer to some fans. The Boom Operator brought cold water around and felt a little better.

The aircraft finally took off and we were on our way. We were scheduled for a four hour training mission out over the Atlantic Ocean east of the Carolinas. Since we were late departing, the mission would be shortened as the next set of training flight would be arriving on station at their scheduled times.

The problem now became … you guessed it … cold. Moving along at 30,000 feet above sea level, it was pretty chilly outside and the cold quickly moved inside. Not quite ‘see-your-breath’ cold, but enough to again be uncomfortable, especially in some sweat-soaked clothes. Fortunately, Robin and I nad brought along some layers, so we did OK all in all.

Robin was blessed with being able to lay down in tone of the observation stations directly adjacent to the boom operator. She got a short lesson on how it works and was thrilled to see the looming C-7 cargo plane slip in several hundred yards behind us and gradually close the distance. The boom operator called the shots and with a very noticeable ‘thud’ the two aircraft became one as the refueling boom hit its mark and locked into place. Since this was only for training, no fuel was actually transferred. As a matter of fact, the pilots traveling in the C-7 were actually undergoing proficiency check rides.

Several more connects/disconnects were made with members of our entourage each getting their turn to climb down into the tail of the tanker and watch these huge cargo planes flying only yards away from us. I held off going until the very last, as I was privileged to ride on a KC-10 out of Buckley Air Force Base several years ago as we wanted those folks who’ve never seen this operation to be afforded an opportunity to go first. When I did get to climb down, it was just as the last check-ride was being attempted and the pilot of the C-7 was very timid about closing the gap to the boom. We did not get connected before we had to break off and start heading home. Time had run out.

The trip home was a temperature extreme ride in reverse, going from freezing to roasting and thankful for the opening of the hatch so we could escape into the relative cool of an 85 degree day. The tour would take us next to the Officers’ Club where a buffet lunch had been set out (well, for anyone actually but we came late so we had the place to ourselves) for only $10. Following lunch we were to go up to the MacDill AFB Control Tower (MCF) to visit with some folks and get a look at the operation. Robin and I declined on this part as our schedule (don’t you hate that) dictated that we get an early start on our return trip. Reports that we received indicated that we missed a great time and there were several networking opportunities with the Commanders and Quality Assurance Officers of the base.

While this was not an official F.A.A. function, it did offer bridge-building opportunities and it is always good to put faces to the name of people who work alongside you to accomplish the daily mission of protecting our homeland and providing air traffic services to the men and women who serve.

To the flight crew, Captain Andy, Sergeant Garcia, the Base Commander and Wing Commander, and to Dean and all the folks that I didn’t meet who helped orchestrate this great outing, I would like to offer my sincerest thanks and humble admiration. It’s been a long time since I’ve been on an Air Force Base and it brought back a lot of memories. I’m still proud to have served and I’m still proud of those who do.

Thank You. God Bless America.