Article Posted on : - May 09, 2011

The KC-135R Stratotanker refuels the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter over California. An USAF photo

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE (BNS): US Air Force pilots have carried out the first refuelling exercise on an F-35 stealth fighter by using a KC-135R Stratotanker military aircraft.

Airmen from the US Air Force Reserve Command’s 916th Air Refueling Wing recently conducted the refuelling operation on the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter, the USAF said.

Flying a KC-135R Stratotanker, a flight crew and a maintenance crew from the wing's 911th Air Refueling Squadron thought they were headed to California to support training and airlift for other wings.

But what surprised these five Airmen when they arrived at Edwards Air Force Base was the mission they were actually given, to be the first operational tanker crew to refuel the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter.

"We were the very first aircrew allowed to refuel the F-35, since the guidance allowing AMC crews to do so had just come out the night before," said Capt. Robert Draper, a 911th ARS pilot.

The crew was in California to support both F-35 and F-22 Raptor flight testing.

Coincidentally, members of 916th ARW had also conducted the first refuelling exercise on an F-22 Raptor fighter few years ago, the Air Force said.