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| Business is booming By FLGOFF Eamon Hamilton Edition 4909, 31 May, 2007 |
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In a factory in Spain, the first RAAF KC-30B MRTT has been fitted with its refuelling boom and hose-and-drogue pods. Back in Australia, WOFFs Darrell Bent and Andrew Newman have been selected to become the Air Force’s first Airborne Refuelling Operators (AROs). They’re about to depart for Altus Air Force Base in Oklahoma for seven months of ‘boomer’ training, learning to operate the refuelling system on the USAF KC-135 Stratotanker. While the RAAF and USAF have exchanged Boeing 707 and KC-135 pilots before, the WOFFs will become the first Australian personnel to operate the American boom-style refuelling system. The process involves extending a long boom at the base of the tanker aircraft’s tail and ‘flying’ it into contact with the refuelling receptacle on the receiving aircraft. Following their initial boom operator training, they’ll spend another two months at Fairchild Air Force Base in Washington to reach full-mission qualification. The knowledge they gain on the American system will be used on their return to the MRTT Transition Team, with whom they will develop the training and operational requirements for our future AROs. MRTT Transition Team Director GPCAPT Noel Derwort said the mature boom system would require about 13 AROs in 33SQN at any one time. “Part of this process is determining the testing and experience criteria for the ARO,” GPCAPT Derwort said. “The performance of WOFFs Bent and Newman will be closely monitored to ensure we develop a world-class ARO program. We are investigating sending additional ARO candidates to train with the USAF before the introduction of the KC-30B.” The first AROs chosen to operate these systems will each bring more than 25 years of Air Force experience to the program. Selection of candidates was open to all airman aircrew musterings, as their duties will include aerial refuelling and load management of the aircraft. WOFF Bent has experience as a loadmaster on the C-130E/H and B707, and enters the MRTT program after being 33SQN loadmaster leader. This role has already exposed him to the practical airlift aspects of the KC-30B, which can carry 34 tonnes of military and civilian pallets or containers in its under-floor cargo compartments. “The squadron has been involved in the MRTT program, and I have been involved with developing cargo capability, emergency equipment, logistical support and electronic weight and balance tools for the project,” WOFF Bent said. “Andrew and I will need to absorb as much information as possible at Altus and Spokane to assist our colleagues who will eventually follow a similar path. “I believe I have experienced much of what is on offer in the loadmaster mustering, and this is a great opportunity to maintain motivation and focus in perhaps the best job in the Air Force.” Meanwhile, WOFF Andrew Newman will trade his flight engineer’s seat on 38SQN Caribous for the ARO position. His background includes postings on the Orion, as well as maintenance experience on the C-130E/H and F-111. “I’ve been following the MRTT program for years, and am very happy to have the opportunity to be a part of it,” WOFF Newman said. “I can’t imagine anything else I would prefer to do. “The credit for the Air Force’s ability to commence boom refuelling operations won’t lie with the first aircrew to fly it, however, I am very happy to be one of those airmen,” he said. “The KC-30B will be the high point of my career, and I hope to be involved with the aircraft for the next decade.” |
