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Spangdahlem Air Base

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KC-135 hot-pit refuel

U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 97th Air Refueling Squadron assigned to Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, watch a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 92nd Air Refueling Wing from Fairchild AFB, taxi for refueling Nov. 18, 2022, on Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. The 92nd ARW aircraft arrived at Spangdahlem AB March 9, 2022, to support NATO’s Air Shielding mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jessica Sanchez-Chen)

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KC-135 hot-pit refuel

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Nicholas Camm, 97th Air Refueling Squadron ground crew member assigned to Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, marshals a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 92nd Air Refueling Wing from Fairchild AFB, for a hot-pit refuel Nov. 18, 2022, on Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. Hot-pit refueling is used to rapidly return an aircraft to the sky after landing by leaving one engine running during the refueling. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jessica Sanchez-Chen)

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KC-135 hot-pit refuel

U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 97th Air Refueling Squadron assigned to Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, prepare to inspect a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker, assigned to the 92nd Air Refueling Wing from Fairchild AFB, before a hot-pit refuel Nov. 18, 2022, on Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. Ground crew members first check aircraft brakes for overheating, chock the aircraft and begin the hot-pit process. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jessica Sanchez-Chen)

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KC-135 hot-pit refuel

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Charles Burnett, 52nd Logistics Readiness Squadron (LRS) fuels distribution operator, and Tech. Sgt. Alex Keely, 52nd LRS fuels distribution NCO in charge, connect an R-11 Hydrant Servicing Module (HSM) into a fuel pit Nov. 18, 2022, on Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. This is the first time in which HSM has been used to its full potential as the 52nd LRS fuels flight has solved a compatibility issue impacting its overall use throughout Pacific Air Force and U.S. Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jessica Sanchez-Chen)

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KC-135 hot-pit refuel

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Alex Keely, 52nd Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels distribution NCO in charge, connects an R-11 Hydrant Servicing Module (HSM) into a fuel pit Nov. 18, 2022, on Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. Airmen can simultaneously connect the R-11 HSM to the ground fuel pit and aircraft to transfer fuel from the base’s underground reserves directly to the aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jessica Sanchez-Chen)

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KC-135 hot-pit refuel

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Fernando Martinez, 97th Air Refueling Squadron crew chief assigned to Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, begins hot-pit refueling a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker, assigned to the 92nd Air Refueling Wing from Fairchild AFB, Nov. 18, 2022, on Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. Hot-pit refueling occurs when an aircraft is fueled immediately after landing, keeping one engine running to reduce response time and return to the air quickly for any mission, anywhere. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jessica Sanchez-Chen)

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KC-135 hot-pit refuel

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Nicholas Camm, 97th Air Refueling Squadron ground crew member assigned to Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, monitors a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker, assigned to the 92nd Air Refueling Wing from Fairchild AFB, during a hot-pit refuel Nov. 18, 2022, on Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. Hot-pit is used to eliminate downtime, leaving an engine of the aircraft running while it is being refueled. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jessica Sanchez-Chen)

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KC-135 hot-pit refuel

Published Nov. 22, 2022
By Senior Airman Jessica Sanchez-Chen
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 97th Air Refueling Squadron assigned to Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, watch a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 92nd Air Refueling Wing from Fairchild AFB, taxi for refueling Nov. 18, 2022, on Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. The 92nd ARW aircraft arrived at Spangdahlem AB March 9, 2022, to support NATO’s Air Shielding mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jessica Sanchez-Chen)