Their office is 24,000 feet up and moves at more than 350 miles per hour.
- MacDill's refueling crews play pivotal role across the world
- Planes conduct refueling for jets and bombers in mid-air
- KC-135 Stratotanker
The crew of the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker refueling airplane out of MacDill Air Force makes the amazing look routine. And their efforts play a major role in protecting the country.
"You just got to be ready for anything," said Tech Sergeant James Kyper. "We're refueling 6 F-22s. Just get them some gas so they can go up and do some training."
According to officials, the KC-135 entered service with the United States Air Force in 1957 and remains one of six military fixed-wing aircraft with over 50 years of continuous service with its original operator.
The refueling process the plane specializes in is a precise endeavor for the Stratotanker and Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps planes.
One-by-one, each jet flies in line slightly behind and beneath the tanker.
That's when Kyper, who performs his job lying down, lines up the refueling line and lowers a boom that connects with an adjacent aircraft. He then unloads thousands of gallons of fuel.
Crews use similar tankers for refueling bombers and jets for critical missions all around the world. In fact, the Stratotankers are so instrumental, MacDill is bringing in an additional eight planes to help with refueling operations.
An additional 300 crewmen also will be brought to MacDill.
"There's only so far that those bombers and those airjets can go without a tanker," said Col. April Vogel, the Commander, 6th air mobility wing. "That airplane, that 60-year-old airplane is enabling our ability to fight the war around the world.
"You just can't go anywhere without it."