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AMC warriors in action over the skies of Iraq

Air Mobility Command

May 14, 2003

By Lt. Col. Kevin Kilb 6th Air Refueling Squadron commander

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AMCNS) - Travis deployed troops returned from overseas duty last week, the community here resoundingly welcomed them as heroes. Not too many in the adoring crowd truly realized the monumental deeds our men and women accomplished in support of the war effort.

The following story describes the deeds of one stellar KC-10 Stratotanker crew from the 6th Air Refueling Squadron. It is just one of many sagas that could be shared from the troops of the Travis and it clearly shows what happens when exceptional training meets extraordinary circumstance.

On March 22, a crew with the call sign "Tendon XX," departed from a downrange location for a day of refueling operations.

This crew was put together like many others, a mix of youth and experience, exuberance and savvy. The aircraft commander, Capt. Ryan Adams, was certified as an aircraft commander upon his arrival in theater. His co-pilot, 1st Lt. Jason Moraes, was also relatively new, having flown the KC-10 for less than a year and with only 250 hours in the aircraft. The flight engineer, Tech. Sgt. Dom Schaller, helped balance out the crew's experience level with more than three years in the KC-10. The boom operator, Master Sgt. Jack Lemons was the high-timer, having served as a 60th Operations Group Standardization and Evaluations member and with more than 5,300 flying hours.

Collectively, the crew's talents and expertise would be tested during the first few nights of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

After take off, the KC-10 made way through the crowded skies using intricate flying lanes to its assigned refueling block -- just outside of Iraqi airspace. Almost immediately, the crew received several unplanned requests to refuel other aircraft needing post-strike gas to enable their safe return to various operating locations.

The 6th ARS crew calculated they could deliver the fuel, refuel all of their scheduled strikers, remain in their airspace for the duration of their scheduled block and still have the minimum fuel required to return to base.

The time to depart station neared when eight strikers showed up on Tendon XX's wing ... four scheduled and four unscheduled.

The unscheduled receivers -- F-117 stealth fighters -- needed 40,000 pounds of fuel to execute a strike. This was in addition to the scheduled receivers, the F-117s' escort package, which included EA-6Bs and F-14s. To compound matters, there wasn't enough time to refuel all eight fighters and still allow them to reach their targets on time. As a result, this KC-10 crew led the fighters into Iraq as its own fuel supply diminished.

Despite the challenges, the KC-10 crew never hesitated. The escort aircraft called out on secure radio, "We've got your cover!" as Tendon XX unabashedly plowed into the combat area.

In accordance with wartime special instructions, the crew requested and received permission from the airborne controlling agency to penetrate "at their own discretion."

Simultaneously, on another frequency, they coordinated with another KC-10 for a rendezvous and refueling on their way out of Iraq.

With anti-aircraft tracers lighting up the sky, the crew drove more than 100 miles into Iraqi airspace toward Baghdad, giving all eight fighters enough gas to complete their mission. Tendon XX then turned for home, with 45 minutes of fuel left and two hours flying time back to base.

The crew smartly joined up with the previously identified KC-10, just minutes before they needed to execute an emergency divert. After taking enough fuel to make it home, Tendon XX breathed a collective sigh of relief, proud to have contributed to a successful mission.

The valiant efforts of Captain Adams and the crew of Tendon XX is just one of the many examples of heroism from across Travis. They showed poise under pressure, adaptive flexibility and ultimate professionalism. They were at the right place, with the right training, at the right time.