SMSgt. Floyd Atkins, a boom operator with the 151st Air Refueling Squadron at McGhee Tyson ANGB, Tenn., reached 8,000 refueling hours during a mission over Qatar recently. Atkins reached the milestone while refueling a B-1B Lancer in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in mid-July, according to a release. He was assigned to the 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron at Al Udeid AB, Qatar, at the time. It “signifies the love for what I do,” he said. A boom operator typically hits an average of 5,000-to-6,000 refueling hours, states the release. His goal is to “reach the 8,765-hour mark, which would equal one full year of flying time,” said Atkins. “The Air Force and Air National Guard have given me everything they promised and more,” said Atkins. “I’ve covered a lot of ground in those 8,000 hours.”
Bombers Need Wider Range of Weapons: Panel
March 3, 2026
Any new missiles and bombs the Pentagon develops in the coming years need to be compatible with the bomber fleet to maximize options for long-range strike, Lt. Gen. Jason R. Armagost said last week at AFA’s Warfare Symposium.