The 18th Wing at Kadena AB, Japan, on the island of Okinawa has sent one of its KC-135s and crews to Hickam AFB, Hawaii, where they are training to refuel the new C-17 airlifter. TSgt. Chris Vadnais reports that the Kadena tanker aircrews rarely get to work with cargo aircraft and instead refuel mainly fighters. The difference? According to Capt. Mike Rossi, a Kadena pilot, the greater weight turbulence from the C-17 “pushes us around a little bit more from the back, so we have to take into account for that and just be prepared for any type of breakaway-type situations.”
The Air Force has finished modifying and testing the new VC-25B Bridge aircraft that will serve as a temporary Air Force One, the service announced May 1. All that’s left now is to finish painting the jet before it starts flying this summer.