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U.S. Airmen from the 435th Contingency Response Group, 86th Logistics Readiness Squadron and 52nd LRS completed Ramstein’s first-ever F-35A Lightning II hot-pit refueling operation at Ramstein Air Base, Nov. 14.
Hot-pit refueling enables aircraft to return to the air as quickly as possible without having to completely power off. Ramstein is conventionally an air mobility base, launching missions with the C-17 Globemaster III, C-5M Galaxy and the C-130J Super Hercules aircraft. This exercise marks a significant milestone for the base’s ability to support fighter missions.
“The importance of it out here today is that this is the first time that Ramstein has been able to hot-pit F-35s,” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Freddy Atwood, 435th Contingency Response Squadron C-17 crewchief. “Proving that concept to not only Ramstein, but the rest of USAFE-AFAFRICA (United States Armed Forces Europe Armed Forces Africa), shows them that just because we’re not a fighter base, doesn’t mean we can’t support the fighters in our AOR (Area of Responsibility).”
So far, the CRS has been able to conduct hot-pit refuels in multiple areas of Europe as well as being involved in the first-ever highway landing in Finland. Airmen from the 86th LRS showed interest in getting hot-pit certification for fighter aircraft and Spangdahlem AB was able to assist with this certification process as they had just revamped their hot-pit refueling training into three-phases.
The first phase is in the classroom, where regulations and aircraft layouts are explained. The second phase is hands-on with engines off, to learn with minimal risk. Phase three, is where personnel are able to put their knowledge to the test on aircraft with running engines.
“At the end of the day it’s about the mission, it’s about getting aircraft into the air but without fuel that can’t happen,” said Tech. Sgt. Bejandrew De Guzman, 52nd LRS Fuels Distribution non commissioned officer in charge. “If we can help our POL (Petroleum, Oils and Lubricants) guys across the Air Force do that in the most efficient and effective way possible we’re going to do what we need to do and that’s what’s going to help us win the fight.”
This exercise enabled Airmen at the 86th LRS to fully support hot-pit refueling at both their home station and on deployments, showcasing the 435th CRS’s overall capability opens up the AOR to anywhere.
“My teammates have been doing an amazing job, and the exercise from what we’ve been told, was a success,” Atwood said. “Us being able to not only help out with their operation here, but to help them succeed on getting home has been a big tremendous success for us.”
Through careful coordination across multiple bases and squadrons the exercise was a success refueling fighter aircraft on a primarily heavy aircraft base, cementing Ramstein’s position as the “Global Gateway.”
