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Air Refueling
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Tally Ho !
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The KC-135 Refueler has rolled out from his turn. The B-52 reciever will slowly close the gap behind and below the Tanker. Air Refueling is a critical portion of the B-52's mission. Air Refueling allows aircraft almost unlimited time and distance in the air, to reach any destination on the globe.
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Pre-Contact
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The B-52's pilot has done an excellent job of approaching and aligning the two aircraft. The boom hanging from beneath the Tanker will allow jet fuel to be transfered to the B-52's fuel tanks. Only a skilled pilot can maintain the critical position parameters which allow the boom to remain connected to allow the transfer of fuel.
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Contact
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The boomer has successfully "flown" the boom and inserted it into the B-52's air refueling port. Only the constant practice of both pilot teams and the Boom Operator makes this "high altitude, high speed" refueling possible. Night refueling accompanied with poor weather and/or turbelance can make this same mission dangerous or impossible.
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