Travis refuels CV-22 Osprey

In a rare opportunity, the 79th Air Refueling Squadron, Travis AFB, Calif., refueled two CV-22 Ospreys during a routine training mission near Fresno, January 15, 2018. Assigned under the Air Force Reserve’s 349th Air Mobility Wing, the squadron flies the KC-10 Extender. “With the help and coordination of all the crew on the KC-10, we were able to accomplish crucial training for CV-22 crews,” said Senior Master Sgt. David Palmer, 79th instructor boom operator. “It was exciting to refuel such a unique aircraft,” said Copilot, Capt. Victoria Hooper. “We rarely get to see Ospreys on a local sortie, so it was an excellent training opportunity both for our crews and theirs. For not having refueled behind a KC-10 in a long time, they flew very proficiently. We were impressed.” According to Bell Boeing, the CV-22 Osprey is a tiltrotor aircraft that combines the vertical takeoff, hover and vertical landing qualities of a helicopter with the long-range, fuel efficiency and speed characteristics of a turboprop aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photos/Senior Master Sgt David Palmer)