Air Force Conducts ‘First of Its Kind’ Combat Refuel of CENTCOM Drone

Dec. 22, 2022 | By Chris Gordon

The U.S. Air Force refueled and relaunched an MQ-9 Reaper using a technique to support aircraft away from traditional airbases for the first time in combat, the service announced Dec. 21. The aircraft also used satellite communications to reduce the number of personnel required to support the mission.

The move marks the latest push in the Air Force’s concept of Agile Combat Employment, in which Air Force personnel and equipment counter threats to central operating bases by dispersing and operating instead from numerous locations.

“A Forward Arming and Refueling Point, or FARP, accomplishes this by allowing aircraft to prepare for their next mission without having to return to an established base,” the 361st Attack Squadron said in a news release. “The operation is the first of its kind to take place in a combat area of responsibility.”

The unusual mission occurred Dec. 10 in Southwest Asia, in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. An MQ-9 flown by the 65th Special Operation Squadron at Hulbert Field, Fla., was refueled by an HC-130J Combat King II. The Reaper was then relaunched to continue combat operations. The aircraft was remotely piloted and conducted ground operations via SATCOM Launch and Recovery, a capability demonstrated by MQ-9 manufacturer General Atomics in 2017.

“Until recently, this operation would have been impossible,” the release from the 361st Attack Squadron said. “SATCOM Launch and Recovery allows the Mission Control Element to conduct ground operations, taxi, takeoff, and land via satellite communications. This capability significantly reduces logistics and airlift requirements when the asset forward deploys and changes the way that Remotely Piloted Aircraft warfare is conducted.”

The U.S. military did not disclose the location of the Forward Arming and Refueling Point mission. According to the Department of Defense, photos of the mission were taken by an Airman assigned to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, which is an Air Forces Central (AFCENT) unit that supports Operation Inherent Resolve, the counter-ISIS campaign in Iraq and Syria. The refueling specialists were from the 26th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron.

361st Expeditionary Attack Squadron personnel “were able to refuel and prepare the aircraft for the 65 SOS to continue flying combat operations,” the release said, adding that the FARP specialists arrived aboard the HC-130.

The 361st Expeditionary Attack Squadron operates and maintains drones, including the MQ-9, in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. ISIS’s self-declared caliphate was destroyed in 2019, but the U.S. and its partners have continued their efforts to hunt down remnants of the terrorist organization and to prevent the militants from attempting a comeback.

According to the Air Force, the MQ-9 refueling and relaunching mission occurred at night on Dec. 10 at an undisclosed air base. In the early morning hours of Dec. 11, U.S. Special Operations forces conducted a helicopter raid in eastern Syria, killing two ISIS officials. It was unclear if the operations were connected, and CENTCOM did not immediately provide further details about the FARP mission.

The U.S. has been conducting numerous operations against ISIS this month after briefly pausing combined operations in Syria after Turkey began targeting the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces in airstrikes.

Including the Dec. 11 operation, CENTCOM said it has conducted nine partnered operations against ISIS in Syria since resuming operations.

“The U.S. remains committed to countering the global threat from ISIS in partnership with local forces,” CENTCOM spokesman Col. Joe Buccino said in a statement on U.S. operations released Dec. 16. “ISIS continues to pursue an aggressive operational agenda, including external attacks that threaten U.S. allies and partners in the region and beyond. American forces remain in Syria partnered with local forces to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS.”

Around 900 U.S. troops are in Syria. Air Forces Central supports the operations in missions flown by drones and manned aircraft. CENTCOM said the recent operations have required extensive planning and have not injured or killed any U.S. troops or civilians.

“The Air Force is always developing ways to act faster and more effectively around the world,” the 361st Attack Squadron said.

361st Expeditionary Attack Squadron personnel use a portable computer to relaunch an MQ-9 Reaper on a flight line at an undisclosed location, Southwest Asia, Dec. 10, 2022, as part of a Forward Arming and Refueling Point operation. (U.S. Air Force photo by: Tech. Sgt. Jim Bentley)

U.S. Air Force Capt. Mason Weston, 26th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron HC-130J Combat King II pilot, flies the aircraft within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in preparation for a forward area refueling point mission, Dec. 10, 2022. The HC-130J is a multi-capable airframe, that performs combat search and rescue, helicopter aerial refueling, combat airlift, and airdrop missions within the AOR. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Daniel Asselta)

U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Ryan Conti, 26th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron HC-130J Combat King II loadmaster, performs pre-flight engine start procedures prior to a forward area refueling point mission at an undisclosed location within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Dec. 10, 2022. The HC-130J is a multi-capable airframe, that performs combat search and rescue, helicopter aerial refueling, combat airlift, and airdrop missions within the AOR. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Daniel Asselta)

U.S. Air Force Senior Airmen Zackary Short and Keven Torres, forward area refueling point (FARP) specialists assigned to the 26th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, provide fuel to an MQ-9 Reaper from a HC-130J Combat King II aircraft, enabling a rapid, combat turnaround and launch at an undisclosed location within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Dec. 11, 2022. FARP specialists provide a unique refueling capability, extending the reach and combat effectiveness, while reducing turnaround times for a variety of aircraft in austere locations across the CENTCOM AOR. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Daniel Asselta)

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Keven Torres, forward area refueling point (FARP) specialist assigned to the 26th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, prepares to provide fuel to an MQ-9 Reaper from a HC-130J Combat King II aircraft, enabling a rapid, combat turnaround and launch at an undisclosed location within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Dec. 11, 2022. FARP specialists provide a unique refueling capability, extending the reach and combat effectiveness, while reducing turnaround times for a variety of aircraft in austere locations across the CENTCOM AOR. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Daniel Asselta)

U.S. Air Force forward area refueling point (FARP) specialists assigned to the 26th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron provide fuel to an MQ-9 Reaper from a HC-130J Combat King II aircraft, enabling a rapid, combat turnaround and launch at an undisclosed location within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Dec. 11, 2022. FARP specialists provide a unique refueling capability, extending the reach and combat effectiveness, while reducing turnaround times for a variety of aircraft in austere locations across the CENTCOM AOR. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Daniel Asselta)

U.S. Air Force Capt. Mason Weston, 26th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron HC-130J Combat King II pilot, performs pre-flight duties at undisclosed location within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Dec. 10, 2022. The HC-130J is a multi-capable airframe, that performs combat search and rescue, helicopter aerial refueling, combat airlift, and airdrop missions within the AOR. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Daniel Asselta)

U.S. Air Force Senior Airmen Zackary Short and Keven Torres, forward area refueling point (FARP) specialists assigned to the 26th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, prepare to provide fuel to an MQ-9 Reaper from a HC-130J Combat King II aircraft, enabling a rapid, combat turnaround and launch at an undisclosed location within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Dec. 11, 2022. FARP specialists provide a unique refueling capability, extending the reach and combat effectiveness, while reducing turnaround times for a variety of aircraft in austere locations across the CENTCOM AOR. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Daniel Asselta)

U.S. Air Force forward area refueling point (FARP) specialists and loadmasters assigned to the 26th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron provide fuel to an MQ-9 Reaper from a HC-130J Combat King II aircraft, enabling a rapid, combat turnaround and launch at an undisclosed location within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Dec. 11, 2022. FARP specialists provide a unique refueling capability, extending the reach and combat effectiveness, while reducing turnaround times for a variety of aircraft in austere locations across the CENTCOM AOR. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Daniel Asselta)

U.S. Air Force forward area refueling point (FARP) specialists assigned to the 26th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron prepare to provide fuel to an MQ-9 Reaper from a HC-130J Combat King II aircraft, enabling a rapid, combat turnaround and launch at an undisclosed location within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Dec. 11, 2022. FARP specialists provide a unique refueling capability, extending the reach and combat effectiveness, while reducing turnaround times for a variety of aircraft in austere locations across the CENTCOM AOR. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Daniel Asselta)

U.S. Air Force forward area refueling point (FARP) specialists assigned to the 26th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron provide fuel to an MQ-9 Reaper from a HC-130J Combat King II aircraft, enabling a rapid, combat turnaround and launch at an undisclosed location within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Dec. 10, 2022. FARP specialists provide a unique refueling capability, extending the reach and combat effectiveness, while reducing turnaround times for a variety of aircraft in austere locations across the CENTCOM AOR. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Daniel Asselta)

A 361st Expeditionary Attack Squadron MQ-9 Reaper and a 26th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron HC-130J Combat King II on a flight line at an undisclosed location, Southwest Asia, Dec. 10, 2022, as part of a Forward Arming and Refueling Point mission. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jim Bentley

26th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron Forward Arming and Refueling Point specialists refuel a 361st Expeditionary Attack Squadron MQ-9 Reaper on a flight line at an undisclosed location, Southwest Asia, Dec. 10, 2022. (U.S. Air Force photo by: Tech. Sgt. Jim Bentley)

26th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron Forward Arming and Refueling Point specialists recover fuel lines on a flight line at an undisclosed location, Southwest Asia, Dec. 11, 2022, preparing to board an HC-130J Combat King II. (U.S. Air Force photo by: Tech. Sgt. Jim Bentley)

A 26th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron HC-130J Combat King II lands on a flight line at an undisclosed location, Southwest Asia, Dec. 10, 2022, as part of a Forward Arming and Refueling Point mission with an MQ-9 Reaper assigned to the 361st Expeditionary Attack Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by: Tech. Sgt. Jim Bentley)

26th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron Forward Arming and Refueling Point specialists prepare to refuel a 361st Expeditionary Attack Squadron MQ-9 Reaper on a flight line at an undisclosed location, Southwest Asia, Dec. 10, 2022. (U.S. Air Force photo by: Tech. Sgt. Jim Bentley)