1 00:00:00,020 --> 00:00:02,600 fighter jets can perform what seemed 2 00:00:02,600 --> 00:00:02,610 fighter jets can perform what seemed 3 00:00:02,610 --> 00:00:05,510 fighter jets can perform what seemed like impossible maneuvers high above the 4 00:00:05,510 --> 00:00:05,520 like impossible maneuvers high above the 5 00:00:05,520 --> 00:00:09,200 like impossible maneuvers high above the clouds but one of the most amazing moves 6 00:00:09,200 --> 00:00:09,210 clouds but one of the most amazing moves 7 00:00:09,210 --> 00:00:17,210 clouds but one of the most amazing moves is how it can refuel in midair aerial 8 00:00:17,210 --> 00:00:17,220 is how it can refuel in midair aerial 9 00:00:17,220 --> 00:00:19,310 is how it can refuel in midair aerial refueling is the process of transferring 10 00:00:19,310 --> 00:00:19,320 refueling is the process of transferring 11 00:00:19,320 --> 00:00:22,429 refueling is the process of transferring fuel from one aircraft the tanker to 12 00:00:22,429 --> 00:00:22,439 fuel from one aircraft the tanker to 13 00:00:22,439 --> 00:00:27,109 fuel from one aircraft the tanker to another aircraft the receiver it allows 14 00:00:27,109 --> 00:00:27,119 another aircraft the receiver it allows 15 00:00:27,119 --> 00:00:29,660 another aircraft the receiver it allows the Air Force to conserve fuel by not 16 00:00:29,660 --> 00:00:29,670 the Air Force to conserve fuel by not 17 00:00:29,670 --> 00:00:32,089 the Air Force to conserve fuel by not forcing fighters to seek out and land on 18 00:00:32,089 --> 00:00:32,099 forcing fighters to seek out and land on 19 00:00:32,099 --> 00:00:34,910 forcing fighters to seek out and land on a runway in the middle of a mission it's 20 00:00:34,910 --> 00:00:34,920 a runway in the middle of a mission it's 21 00:00:34,920 --> 00:00:37,250 a runway in the middle of a mission it's not that easy if you think threading a 22 00:00:37,250 --> 00:00:37,260 not that easy if you think threading a 23 00:00:37,260 --> 00:00:39,680 not that easy if you think threading a needle is hard imagine doing it while 24 00:00:39,680 --> 00:00:39,690 needle is hard imagine doing it while 25 00:00:39,690 --> 00:00:42,020 needle is hard imagine doing it while piloting a one hundred fifty million 26 00:00:42,020 --> 00:00:42,030 piloting a one hundred fifty million 27 00:00:42,030 --> 00:00:46,610 piloting a one hundred fifty million dollar fighter jet this is all in the 28 00:00:46,610 --> 00:00:46,620 dollar fighter jet this is all in the 29 00:00:46,620 --> 00:00:48,470 dollar fighter jet this is all in the name of safety obviously because it's an 30 00:00:48,470 --> 00:00:48,480 name of safety obviously because it's an 31 00:00:48,480 --> 00:00:50,720 name of safety obviously because it's an inherently dangerous activity when you 32 00:00:50,720 --> 00:00:50,730 inherently dangerous activity when you 33 00:00:50,730 --> 00:00:52,220 inherently dangerous activity when you get to airplanes that close to each 34 00:00:52,220 --> 00:00:52,230 get to airplanes that close to each 35 00:00:52,230 --> 00:00:55,010 get to airplanes that close to each other that's major Mike Gilman he 36 00:00:55,010 --> 00:00:55,020 other that's major Mike Gilman he 37 00:00:55,020 --> 00:00:57,160 other that's major Mike Gilman he evaluates pilots who have trained on the 38 00:00:57,160 --> 00:00:57,170 evaluates pilots who have trained on the 39 00:00:57,170 --> 00:01:00,740 evaluates pilots who have trained on the kc-135 stratotanker before we even take 40 00:01:00,740 --> 00:01:00,750 kc-135 stratotanker before we even take 41 00:01:00,750 --> 00:01:03,979 kc-135 stratotanker before we even take off there's anywhere from two to four 42 00:01:03,979 --> 00:01:03,989 off there's anywhere from two to four 43 00:01:03,989 --> 00:01:05,479 off there's anywhere from two to four hours of mission planning and 44 00:01:05,479 --> 00:01:05,489 hours of mission planning and 45 00:01:05,489 --> 00:01:07,880 hours of mission planning and preparation that go into what we're 46 00:01:07,880 --> 00:01:07,890 preparation that go into what we're 47 00:01:07,890 --> 00:01:11,510 preparation that go into what we're actually gonna do it is paramount that 48 00:01:11,510 --> 00:01:11,520 actually gonna do it is paramount that 49 00:01:11,520 --> 00:01:14,120 actually gonna do it is paramount that our pilots are safe and they are 50 00:01:14,120 --> 00:01:14,130 our pilots are safe and they are 51 00:01:14,130 --> 00:01:16,749 our pilots are safe and they are effective and they know exactly the 52 00:01:16,749 --> 00:01:16,759 effective and they know exactly the 53 00:01:16,759 --> 00:01:18,440 effective and they know exactly the procedures that they're doing before 54 00:01:18,440 --> 00:01:18,450 procedures that they're doing before 55 00:01:18,450 --> 00:01:21,920 procedures that they're doing before they actually execute a major Emilie 56 00:01:21,920 --> 00:01:21,930 they actually execute a major Emilie 57 00:01:21,930 --> 00:01:25,789 they actually execute a major Emilie Kubasaki is a kc-135 instructor training 58 00:01:25,789 --> 00:01:25,799 Kubasaki is a kc-135 instructor training 59 00:01:25,799 --> 00:01:29,660 Kubasaki is a kc-135 instructor training the next generation of pilots some of 60 00:01:29,660 --> 00:01:29,670 the next generation of pilots some of 61 00:01:29,670 --> 00:01:31,910 the next generation of pilots some of the refueling logistics depend on what 62 00:01:31,910 --> 00:01:31,920 the refueling logistics depend on what 63 00:01:31,920 --> 00:01:34,700 the refueling logistics depend on what kind of aircraft are being flown the US 64 00:01:34,700 --> 00:01:34,710 kind of aircraft are being flown the US 65 00:01:34,710 --> 00:01:37,370 kind of aircraft are being flown the US Air Force uses a flying boom system 66 00:01:37,370 --> 00:01:37,380 Air Force uses a flying boom system 67 00:01:37,380 --> 00:01:39,980 Air Force uses a flying boom system where a long thin tube extends from the 68 00:01:39,980 --> 00:01:39,990 where a long thin tube extends from the 69 00:01:39,990 --> 00:01:42,440 where a long thin tube extends from the tanker into a receptacle on the 70 00:01:42,440 --> 00:01:42,450 tanker into a receptacle on the 71 00:01:42,450 --> 00:01:47,179 tanker into a receptacle on the receiving aircraft to begin the pilots 72 00:01:47,179 --> 00:01:47,189 receiving aircraft to begin the pilots 73 00:01:47,189 --> 00:01:49,370 receiving aircraft to begin the pilots consider what they call altitude block 74 00:01:49,370 --> 00:01:49,380 consider what they call altitude block 75 00:01:49,380 --> 00:01:51,889 consider what they call altitude block which are like little roads in the sky 76 00:01:51,889 --> 00:01:51,899 which are like little roads in the sky 77 00:01:51,899 --> 00:01:53,960 which are like little roads in the sky permanently laid out at different 78 00:01:53,960 --> 00:01:53,970 permanently laid out at different 79 00:01:53,970 --> 00:01:56,859 permanently laid out at different altitudes all over the US 80 00:01:56,859 --> 00:01:56,869 altitudes all over the US 81 00:01:56,869 --> 00:01:59,169 altitudes all over the US the pilots agree on a starting point and 82 00:01:59,169 --> 00:01:59,179 the pilots agree on a starting point and 83 00:01:59,179 --> 00:02:02,740 the pilots agree on a starting point and end point and a meet up time the tanker 84 00:02:02,740 --> 00:02:02,750 end point and a meet up time the tanker 85 00:02:02,750 --> 00:02:05,020 end point and a meet up time the tanker generally arrives about 15 minutes 86 00:02:05,020 --> 00:02:05,030 generally arrives about 15 minutes 87 00:02:05,030 --> 00:02:07,029 generally arrives about 15 minutes before the receiver who will arrive 88 00:02:07,029 --> 00:02:07,039 before the receiver who will arrive 89 00:02:07,039 --> 00:02:09,699 before the receiver who will arrive about 1,000 feet lower than the tanker 90 00:02:09,699 --> 00:02:09,709 about 1,000 feet lower than the tanker 91 00:02:09,709 --> 00:02:12,009 about 1,000 feet lower than the tanker but they'll close that distance pretty 92 00:02:12,009 --> 00:02:12,019 but they'll close that distance pretty 93 00:02:12,019 --> 00:02:15,070 but they'll close that distance pretty quickly and they're flying what we call 94 00:02:15,070 --> 00:02:15,080 quickly and they're flying what we call 95 00:02:15,080 --> 00:02:17,140 quickly and they're flying what we call a racetrack pattern where they're just 96 00:02:17,140 --> 00:02:17,150 a racetrack pattern where they're just 97 00:02:17,150 --> 00:02:19,360 a racetrack pattern where they're just flying in a circle waiting for the 98 00:02:19,360 --> 00:02:19,370 flying in a circle waiting for the 99 00:02:19,370 --> 00:02:21,729 flying in a circle waiting for the receiver to show up both the tanker and 100 00:02:21,729 --> 00:02:21,739 receiver to show up both the tanker and 101 00:02:21,739 --> 00:02:23,740 receiver to show up both the tanker and the receiver will continue down the 102 00:02:23,740 --> 00:02:23,750 the receiver will continue down the 103 00:02:23,750 --> 00:02:26,470 the receiver will continue down the track they're a mile behind the tanker a 104 00:02:26,470 --> 00:02:26,480 track they're a mile behind the tanker a 105 00:02:26,480 --> 00:02:28,509 track they're a mile behind the tanker a thousand feet below and then they 106 00:02:28,509 --> 00:02:28,519 thousand feet below and then they 107 00:02:28,519 --> 00:02:32,350 thousand feet below and then they usually start to close in they decrease 108 00:02:32,350 --> 00:02:32,360 usually start to close in they decrease 109 00:02:32,360 --> 00:02:34,390 usually start to close in they decrease that altitude separation until they get 110 00:02:34,390 --> 00:02:34,400 that altitude separation until they get 111 00:02:34,400 --> 00:02:36,940 that altitude separation until they get to the astern position which is about 50 112 00:02:36,940 --> 00:02:36,950 to the astern position which is about 50 113 00:02:36,950 --> 00:02:39,819 to the astern position which is about 50 feet behind the aircraft at which point 114 00:02:39,819 --> 00:02:39,829 feet behind the aircraft at which point 115 00:02:39,829 --> 00:02:41,830 feet behind the aircraft at which point the boom operator they are directing the 116 00:02:41,830 --> 00:02:41,840 the boom operator they are directing the 117 00:02:41,840 --> 00:02:44,080 the boom operator they are directing the receiver at that point to close in for 118 00:02:44,080 --> 00:02:44,090 receiver at that point to close in for 119 00:02:44,090 --> 00:02:45,970 receiver at that point to close in for the contact that's when the boom 120 00:02:45,970 --> 00:02:45,980 the contact that's when the boom 121 00:02:45,980 --> 00:02:47,530 the contact that's when the boom operator will take over and we'll tell 122 00:02:47,530 --> 00:02:47,540 operator will take over and we'll tell 123 00:02:47,540 --> 00:02:49,900 operator will take over and we'll tell them you know come in go out go faster 124 00:02:49,900 --> 00:02:49,910 them you know come in go out go faster 125 00:02:49,910 --> 00:02:52,600 them you know come in go out go faster go slow or up or down until they're in 126 00:02:52,600 --> 00:02:52,610 go slow or up or down until they're in 127 00:02:52,610 --> 00:02:54,250 go slow or up or down until they're in the sweet spot and then that boom 128 00:02:54,250 --> 00:02:54,260 the sweet spot and then that boom 129 00:02:54,260 --> 00:02:56,050 the sweet spot and then that boom operator can make the contact with that 130 00:02:56,050 --> 00:02:56,060 operator can make the contact with that 131 00:02:56,060 --> 00:02:59,259 operator can make the contact with that boom the boom is what will run the fuel 132 00:02:59,259 --> 00:02:59,269 boom the boom is what will run the fuel 133 00:02:59,269 --> 00:03:02,020 boom the boom is what will run the fuel from the tanker to the receiver Jets 134 00:03:02,020 --> 00:03:02,030 from the tanker to the receiver Jets 135 00:03:02,030 --> 00:03:05,379 from the tanker to the receiver Jets like the f-22 and f-35 have boom 136 00:03:05,379 --> 00:03:05,389 like the f-22 and f-35 have boom 137 00:03:05,389 --> 00:03:07,750 like the f-22 and f-35 have boom receptacles for receiving the fuel from 138 00:03:07,750 --> 00:03:07,760 receptacles for receiving the fuel from 139 00:03:07,760 --> 00:03:10,070 receptacles for receiving the fuel from the boom 140 00:03:10,070 --> 00:03:10,080 the boom 141 00:03:10,080 --> 00:03:12,320 the boom generally while the boom operator is in 142 00:03:12,320 --> 00:03:12,330 generally while the boom operator is in 143 00:03:12,330 --> 00:03:14,690 generally while the boom operator is in the back doing all of the hard work the 144 00:03:14,690 --> 00:03:14,700 the back doing all of the hard work the 145 00:03:14,700 --> 00:03:16,550 the back doing all of the hard work the pilots are at prompt one person is 146 00:03:16,550 --> 00:03:16,560 pilots are at prompt one person is 147 00:03:16,560 --> 00:03:19,790 pilots are at prompt one person is actively flying or actively monitoring 148 00:03:19,790 --> 00:03:19,800 actively flying or actively monitoring 149 00:03:19,800 --> 00:03:21,980 actively flying or actively monitoring the autopilot and then the second pilot 150 00:03:21,980 --> 00:03:21,990 the autopilot and then the second pilot 151 00:03:21,990 --> 00:03:24,890 the autopilot and then the second pilot is usually offloading the gas when 152 00:03:24,890 --> 00:03:24,900 is usually offloading the gas when 153 00:03:24,900 --> 00:03:27,170 is usually offloading the gas when everything aligns correctly the boom 154 00:03:27,170 --> 00:03:27,180 everything aligns correctly the boom 155 00:03:27,180 --> 00:03:29,720 everything aligns correctly the boom operator has full control over the boom 156 00:03:29,720 --> 00:03:29,730 operator has full control over the boom 157 00:03:29,730 --> 00:03:32,360 operator has full control over the boom and can extend and retract it as needed 158 00:03:32,360 --> 00:03:32,370 and can extend and retract it as needed 159 00:03:32,370 --> 00:03:35,090 and can extend and retract it as needed the operator can disconnect the boom 160 00:03:35,090 --> 00:03:35,100 the operator can disconnect the boom 161 00:03:35,100 --> 00:03:37,220 the operator can disconnect the boom when fueling is complete but if the 162 00:03:37,220 --> 00:03:37,230 when fueling is complete but if the 163 00:03:37,230 --> 00:03:39,620 when fueling is complete but if the receiving plane moves off track the 164 00:03:39,620 --> 00:03:39,630 receiving plane moves off track the 165 00:03:39,630 --> 00:03:42,320 receiving plane moves off track the system triggers an automatic disconnects 166 00:03:42,320 --> 00:03:42,330 system triggers an automatic disconnects 167 00:03:42,330 --> 00:03:44,900 system triggers an automatic disconnects this is very helpful because inclement 168 00:03:44,900 --> 00:03:44,910 this is very helpful because inclement 169 00:03:44,910 --> 00:03:47,930 this is very helpful because inclement weather turbulence unexpected turns an 170 00:03:47,930 --> 00:03:47,940 weather turbulence unexpected turns an 171 00:03:47,940 --> 00:03:50,990 weather turbulence unexpected turns an air-traffic can all make it difficult to 172 00:03:50,990 --> 00:03:51,000 air-traffic can all make it difficult to 173 00:03:51,000 --> 00:03:51,920 air-traffic can all make it difficult to stay connected 174 00:03:51,920 --> 00:03:51,930 stay connected 175 00:03:51,930 --> 00:03:53,870 stay connected sometimes the planes will have to 176 00:03:53,870 --> 00:03:53,880 sometimes the planes will have to 177 00:03:53,880 --> 00:03:56,450 sometimes the planes will have to separate and be joined in the middle of 178 00:03:56,450 --> 00:03:56,460 separate and be joined in the middle of 179 00:03:56,460 --> 00:03:59,750 separate and be joined in the middle of the process once the refuelling is 180 00:03:59,750 --> 00:03:59,760 the process once the refuelling is 181 00:03:59,760 --> 00:04:02,660 the process once the refuelling is finished the receiving plane drops 1,000 182 00:04:02,660 --> 00:04:02,670 finished the receiving plane drops 1,000 183 00:04:02,670 --> 00:04:05,090 finished the receiving plane drops 1,000 feet then cornets with the tanker for 184 00:04:05,090 --> 00:04:05,100 feet then cornets with the tanker for 185 00:04:05,100 --> 00:04:08,480 feet then cornets with the tanker for departure from the formation the planes 186 00:04:08,480 --> 00:04:08,490 departure from the formation the planes 187 00:04:08,490 --> 00:04:10,400 departure from the formation the planes can then continue on their respective 188 00:04:10,400 --> 00:04:10,410 can then continue on their respective 189 00:04:10,410 --> 00:04:12,430 can then continue on their respective missions 190 00:04:12,430 --> 00:04:12,440 missions 191 00:04:12,440 --> 00:04:15,190 missions a slightly easier aerial a fuelling 192 00:04:15,190 --> 00:04:15,200 a slightly easier aerial a fuelling 193 00:04:15,200 --> 00:04:17,979 a slightly easier aerial a fuelling method is the drogue probe used on 194 00:04:17,979 --> 00:04:17,989 method is the drogue probe used on 195 00:04:17,989 --> 00:04:19,900 method is the drogue probe used on almost all of the Navy and Marine 196 00:04:19,900 --> 00:04:19,910 almost all of the Navy and Marine 197 00:04:19,910 --> 00:04:24,730 almost all of the Navy and Marine fighter jets a drogue firehose with a 198 00:04:24,730 --> 00:04:24,740 fighter jets a drogue firehose with a 199 00:04:24,740 --> 00:04:26,890 fighter jets a drogue firehose with a parachute on the end comes out of the 200 00:04:26,890 --> 00:04:26,900 parachute on the end comes out of the 201 00:04:26,900 --> 00:04:29,620 parachute on the end comes out of the tanker while the receiver extends a thin 202 00:04:29,620 --> 00:04:29,630 tanker while the receiver extends a thin 203 00:04:29,630 --> 00:04:31,900 tanker while the receiver extends a thin probe into the parachute like a 204 00:04:31,900 --> 00:04:31,910 probe into the parachute like a 205 00:04:31,910 --> 00:04:36,640 probe into the parachute like a bull's-eye no matter the method aerial 206 00:04:36,640 --> 00:04:36,650 bull's-eye no matter the method aerial 207 00:04:36,650 --> 00:04:39,100 bull's-eye no matter the method aerial refueling is a complicated and dangerous 208 00:04:39,100 --> 00:04:39,110 refueling is a complicated and dangerous 209 00:04:39,110 --> 00:04:41,830 refueling is a complicated and dangerous maneuver that requires a team of highly 210 00:04:41,830 --> 00:04:41,840 maneuver that requires a team of highly 211 00:04:41,840 --> 00:04:45,010 maneuver that requires a team of highly trained experts to trust and rely on one 212 00:04:45,010 --> 00:04:45,020 trained experts to trust and rely on one 213 00:04:45,020 --> 00:04:47,970 trained experts to trust and rely on one another to execute it properly 214 00:04:47,970 --> 00:04:47,980 another to execute it properly 215 00:04:47,980 --> 00:04:53,579 another to execute it properly [Music]