Air Refueling - MC-130J & UH-60

MC-130J from the 352nd Special Operations Wing at RAF Mildenhall refuels a UH-60 from RAF Lakenheath during rough conditions.

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Credits: SSgt. Nathan Tucker | 100th Air Refueling Wing

[brandonmccoy]

My father was an Air Force Boom Operator from 1989 to 2007 when they put him behind a desk. He started out on the 135 but cross-trained to the 10 in 1994. In 2004 my family and I got to go on a Space-A flight from New Jersey to Florida on the 10 that my dad flew in. My brothers and I got to see Mid-Air Refueling from the most badass angle ever. And I remember thinking how prideful I was seeing how awesome my dads’ job was. Most kids are proud to have a parent thats a lawyer or a doctor or a teacher, or a first responder. And all of those jobs are awesome, but as a kid, nothing was more badass than what my dad did for the U.S. Air Force.

[ms.sunshine]

This is one crazy idea but those who make it happen are truly amazing. The scientists, the pilots.... just wow

[davehertle]

Having seen one video of blades on a 53 hitting the hose. I have since noticed that after engaging the basket, the chopper pilot pushes forward a little and climbs a little. It would make sense to keep that basket away from the rotor system. Also with two piots, one would have to stay on the controls with a steady sight picture of the 130, while the other pilot is watching guages and instruments. Any crew-members that can confirm, former ch-47 pilot here.

[Jabholt]

I absolutely love the whole process of refueling in air. So much goes into refueling aircraft while flying.

[Productions]

I showed my son 3:35 when we had "the talk" and he gets it now.

[Snairster]

It's like watching a bee get nectar from a flower.

[S.ARIF_]

Am I the only one who thinks, that this is one of the most epic army videos ever ?
I mean the cameraman is sooo close to the edge of a flying plane while a chopper is casually getting some fuel right next to them !!!
BADASS ! ! ! XD

[prerunning]

And they tell me I cant pump gas with engine on

[mrfrosty]

This made me sweaty, what a nutty thing to be doing. Glad there are so many capable people out there.

[NiklasFranGoteborg]

I am always very impressed that pilots can do this. I can´t even pull it off in simulator games.

[kelevramason]

I would like to see a split screen of the Blackhawk cockpit and the cargo area of the refueling plane, I think that would give the concept a visual understanding of how important trust and team work is number one.

[hermanaregai]

One of the challenges one can think of is that how the fuel tubes are able to resist the pressure of the helicopters' rotating blades and stay stretched for a long time.

[Moonlightshadow-lqfr]

Amazing there is no turbulence from those blades to deviate the hose pipe at all. Incredible technology.

[mills]

Us army be making my childhood lego creations

[markduncan]

It's all about the precision ! Just the precision!

[valerieyearsago]

I imagine that ought to be frustrating as hell. The pave hawk's max speed is probably around the MC-130J's minimum speed for level flight.

[SpectralTacos]

I feel very awkward having watched this at my parents’ place

[TheSpliff]

The spotter has a magnificent view from way up there.

[antonslavic]

Rotary wings are trickier to air refuel than fixed wings, that's 4 sure

[captfalconXX]

It's like watching a humming bird feeding on one of flowers.