VGMR-152 focuses on night refueling

[USMCRET6391]

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, OKINAWA, Japan (June 30, 2006) -- The pilots of a KC-130 Hercules aircraft maintain a steady course while cruising at speeds of about 300 mph as a CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopter flies almost close enough to touch the larger aircraft.

About 15 miles off Okinawa's northeast coast June 21, a flight crew with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, refueled the helicopter from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 currently assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.

The mission was part of initial night qualifications for the aircraft and helicopter pilots, according to Maj. Kenneth Briggs, a KC-130 pilot with VMGR-152.

"We prefer to train at night because that's how Marines fight," he said.
The mission required hours of preparation, according to Lance Cpl. Adam Colby, a tactical systems operator with VMGR-152.

"There was a lot of planning that went into this mission," Colby said. "Our biggest concern is the weather, such as wind, visibility and rain. We plan how much fuel we can give the aircraft on a refueling mission and also how long we will have to stay on track. Even the most routine mission requires hours of preparation."

Conducting the mission was not easy, Briggs added.

"Every time we go up there, we have to consider a lot of things," he said. "This time we went up was different than the others because of the sun's position and angle. It's the crawl, walk and run method."

KC-130s provide refueling assistance to helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.
"Normally a helicopter would not have sufficient internal fuel to conduct an operation such as this without aerial refueling," said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Michael Fahmer, a tactical systems officer with VMGR-152. "Aerial refueling also saves time instead of landing to refuel between missions."