An F-16 undergoes a hot pit session Dec. 14 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The 96th Test Wing established the quarterly hot pit refueling capability six months ago. Hot pitting is when an aircraft pilot flies a sortie, returns, refuels with engines running, then takes off again for another mission. This new enhancement provides the aircrew more sorties and the maintainers more time to work on the aircraft. Although hot pitting is new for the test wing, it is a common occurrence for operational wings. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

An F-16 pilot checks the aircraft’s gages during a hot pit refueling session Dec. 14 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The 96th Test Wing established the quarterly hot pit refueling capability six months ago. Hot pitting is when an aircraft pilot flies a sortie, returns, refuels with engines running, then takes off again for another mission. This new enhancement provides the aircrew more sorties and the maintainers more time to work on the aircraft. Although hot pitting is new for the test wing, it is a common occurrence for operational wings. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

An F-16 goes through a maintenance check prior to entering the refueling area during a hot pit session Dec. 14 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The 96th Test Wing established the quarterly hot pit refueling capability six months ago. Hot pitting is when an aircraft pilot flies a sortie, returns, refuels with engines running, then takes off again for another mission. This new enhancement provides the aircrew more sorties and the maintainers more time to work on the aircraft. Although hot pitting is new for the test wing, it is a common occurrence for operational wings. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Staff Sgt. Jonathan Knight, 96th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, marshals an F-16 to a stop prior to a hot pit refueling session Dec. 14 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The 96th Test Wing established the quarterly hot pit refueling capability six months ago. Hot pitting is when an aircraft pilot flies a sortie, returns, refuels with engines running, then takes off again for another mission. This new enhancement provides the aircrew more sorties and the maintainers more time to work on the aircraft. Although hot pitting is new for the test wing, it is a common occurrence for operational wings. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Lt. Col. Christopher Jones, 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron, watches as his F-16 receives fuel during a hot pit session Dec. 14 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The 96th Test Wing established the quarterly hot pit refueling capability six months ago. Hot pitting is when an aircraft pilot flies a sortie, returns, refuels with engines running, then takes off again for another mission. This new enhancement provides the aircrew more sorties and the maintainers more time to work on the aircraft. Although hot pitting is new for the test wing, it is a common occurrence for operational wings. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Senior Airman Adam Nop, 96th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, waits by his F-16 for a hot pit refueling session to end Dec. 14 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The 96th Test Wing established the quarterly hot pit refueling capability six months ago. Hot pitting is when an aircraft pilot flies a sortie, returns, refuels with engines running, then takes off again for another mission. This new enhancement provides the aircrew more sorties and the maintainers more time to work on the aircraft. Although hot pitting is new for the test wing, it is a common occurrence for operational wings. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Airmen complete a maintenance check on an F-16 prior to a hot pit refueling session Dec. 14 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The 96th Test Wing established the quarterly hot pit refueling capability six months ago. Hot pitting is when an aircraft pilot flies a sortie, returns, refuels with engines running, then takes off again for another mission. This new enhancement provides the aircrew more sorties and the maintainers more time to work on the aircraft. Although hot pitting is new for the test wing, it is a common occurrence for operational wings. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Staff Sgt. Jonathan Knight, 96th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, marshals out an F-16 after a hot pit session Dec. 14 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The 96th Test Wing established the quarterly hot pit refueling capability six months ago. Hot pitting is when an aircraft pilot flies a sortie, returns, refuels with engines running, then takes off again for another mission. This new enhancement provides the aircrew more sorties and the maintainers more time to work on the aircraft. Although hot pitting is new for the test wing, it is a common occurrence for operational wings. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)