F-18 Air Refueling

Video by Staff Sgt. Daniel Delgado 380th Air Expeditionary Wing
A U.S. Navy F-18 being refueled by a KC-10 Extender from the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron during an air refueling mission in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility on April 24. In the first three months of 2010, Airmen supporting the KC-10 deployed air refueling in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility flew more than 1,000 sorties off-loading more than 108 million pounds of fuel to more than 6,600 aircraft in support of combat operations. The 908th EARS, as part of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, supports operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa. Produced by Air Force Staff Sgt. Daniel Delgado.

The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement. #AIRBOYD #AvGeek

[jimboful]

The second one is steady as a rock. Very nice flying.

[joannemourched]

Definitely not CGI... I love how our simple cars require us to turn of engine to fill up fuel, but this fighter jet is in mid flight with a hose flying at it like magic

[thydusk]

Beautiful! Excellent footage! I love the HD too! :)

[stonecreek]

And i cant park my car properly at a gas station. 😁 😂

[darthtrudeau]

Knowing my luck I’d probably crash into the refueling plane

[RTX_valorant]

Just like humming bird collecting nectar❤️😍😍

[justzaahh]

Anyone notice three missiles were missing? 😂

[JasonXME]

Is anyone going to tell the pilot, he just put the fuel in washer fluid compartment. The fuel connector is on his left side. The right side is the washer fluid. Lmao 😂

[maxlor]

Just like the kittens nursing with the mama cat.

[Dudleymiddleton]

Sure is tricky keeping that bird steady!

[Dchocolate]

I imagine the thing we can see links to an in line pipe to the main fuel tank, in the spine. The tank isn't in the wings so that the profile can be kept as thin as possible and to keep the fuel close to the engines. It only has one refueling arm off to the side to avoid having to align 2 of them in flight and to keep it out of the way of the pilots view.

[alekseysuhanov]

need to be a tomahawk BGM refueling in air!!!! must to be funny. lol

[fooyup]

Sick ass jet! Hopefully in my next life I'll be the pilot of one. Until then I will just have to pilot my R1

[atakahashi]

I used to think those fuel pipes were where bullets came from

[stevearnold]

Amazing. I wonder how much flex is in that line. Does anyone know if the line clamps on somehow after it magnetically latches on?

[mohamedbawath]

Who are watching this video after India gets Rafale fighter jets. 🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳💪💪💪

[getous]

@birthnight Well, depends on how many times they done it. During training the first time, it's pretty awesome and nervewrecking, but after a few times you get used to it.

[CrazyPotatos]

@liverstoner I'd say no, since landing on a carrier at night leaves no room for error, and this, if you miss the hose, its just a redo and once you get them attached, there is wiggle room

[danmulcrone]

As an old KC-135 Nav, I've often wondered where the receptical was on the -18. You answered my question (tucked away probe.) What aircraft was doing the refueling? Thanks for the video!

[flyboy]

Neal N.  To answer your question: They dont put a tank on the other side as it would interfere with the FLIR, restricting it's view.