Eglin Airmen fly to highlight new tanker

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  • Northwest Guardian
Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. --  Former 40th Flight Test Squadron Airman and F-16B pilot took to the sky Oct. 27 in a Fighting Falcon in support of the new KC-46A Pegasus Flight Test Program operating out of Boeing Field in Seattle.

Maj. Matt Russell and an aerial photographer flew the mission as part of ongoing tanker flight tests that began in September, specifically as a photo chase aircraft capturing photos of the Air Force's newest tanker aircraft. The F-16B aircraft stages out of McChord Field and meets up with the tanker wherever it may be flying.

Once airborne, Russell, now with the 416th Flight Test Squadron, and his aerial photographer flew within only 300 feet from the new tanker to capture video and still images of the KC-46A.

"It's a unique experience flying up alongside what is essentially (the size of) a passenger jet, at 300 feet away from it, and seeing how enormous it is," said Master Sgt. Justin Suddeth, an aerial broadcaster with the 40th FLTS, currently stationed here filming the ongoing test.

The F-16's speed, endurance and maneuverability make it an ideal choice for photo chase operations, according to Capt. Sean "Skeet" Richardson, a 416th FLTS F-16B from Edwards AFB, Calif.

Since September, aircrews have performed about four test flights a week, all for the purpose of making sure the new KC-46A is performing as intended. The core mission of the new tanker is to refuel other aircraft in flight.

As with any new aircraft, there can be complications. After each flight, engineers look through imagery to see if the KC-46A meets expectations. Recording and analyzing mission data ensures any potential engineering and safety issues are ironed out during the flight test program.

"We're really excited to be here performing test support for the combination effort between Boeing and the Air Force to get their new KC-46A through the test program and out to the combat Air Forces around the world," Richardson said.

Tests of the new tanker are expected to continue for approximately 16 to 18 months, he said.

"People's lives are at stake, and it's the warfighters that are depending on it," Suddeth said. "We need to make sure we're getting it right."