A commercial KDC-10 refueler provided F-16 fighter jets aerial refueling while traveling from Osan Air Base in South Korea to Singapore as part of exercise Commando Sling 23.
According to Pacific Air Forces Air Mobility Operations Chief Lt. Col. Curtis Holtman, the proof of concept employment demonstrates a capability that would allow the Air Force to maintain readiness while continuing to conduct exercises, the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said Thursday.
“If we can use commercial air refueling to cover the point A to point B movements for exercise participation across unit readiness training, then it frees up our warfighter tanker fleet to be ready to respond for emerging contingency requirements,” Holtman explained.
The PACAF official added that the exercise also aims to demonstrate commercial refueling capabilities for F-15C and F-22 fighters.