ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE BASE TINDAL, Australia -- Marines from Marine Aerial Refeuler Transport Squadron 152 and Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 212 participated in a refueling exercise over the Australian skies, Sept. 14.
During this exercise, one of VMGR-152’s KC-130 Hercules delivered approximately 11,000 pounds of fuel to four VMFA-212 F/A-18C Hornets.
Providing aerial refueling is VMGR-152’s primary mission and one they train for regularly. The continuous training is what allows them to work efficiently in the sky, explained 1st Lt. Michael A. Scott, VMGR-152 pilot.
“To make it run smoothly we just practice. We train and we do it every week back home (in Okinawa, Japan),” said Scott, who is native of Clawson, Mich. “(Aerial refueling) is our staple mission for the Marine Corps, that’s our bread and butter.”
Aerial refueling during Exercise Southern Frontier has been no problem for the VMGR-152 Sumos because of their prior preparation.
“Today was a smooth evolution. With only four receivers it was pretty relaxed up there. It can get busy at times,” said Scott. “As long as we have good crew coordination and as long as everyone stays in the game it’s pretty simple.”
The role of crewmen is important because they ensure things are working properly both inside and outside of the KC-130.
“During the flight we’re pretty much the eyes of the pilots,” explained Lance Cpl. Justin G. Winter, VMGR-152 KC-130 flight mechanic and native of Morgantown, W.Va. "We have to make sure we see where the jets are coming from and make sure when they connect we let the guys up front know."
Making sure there are no problems with the fuel before take-off is also part of the aircrew’s job, explained Cpl. Brandon J. Dube, VMGR-152 navigator and native of Vassalboro, Maine.
“We take a look at the fuel off-load, what the jets are going to need, and figure out how much gas were going to burn while we’re out there,” said Dube. All the planning is to “see if we have enough fuel to conduct the mission and get back safely.”
The work beforehand leads not only to a good flight, but makes a routine exercise “smooth.”
“It’s nice. You get a couple of F/A-18’s that pull up right next to you. They’re only about, I’d say, 50 feet away,” said Scott.