A-10s head to hot pits

by Senior Airman Kenny Holston
509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

1/17/2011 - WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- Dec. 8, 2010 the 442nd Fighter Wing air reserve technicians and 509th Bomb Wing Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels operators here worked together to conduct hot pit refuels on the A-10 Thunderbolt II.

During hot-pit refuels, the A-10s land for a short period of time, and prior to their second take off, they refuel. Hot-pit refueling is a procedure usually performed in a combat situation to rapidly refuel aircraft while the engines are running, resulting in a speedy refuel to thrust pilots back into the fight.

The mission of the A-10 is close-air support. The wing's most recent deployment was to Bagram Airbase, Afghanistan in 2008. The pilots, maintainers and support personnel must maintain combat readiness at all times, so training such as this is important to the preparedness of the wing.



Tech. Sgt. Dewayne Magnuson, 442nd Fighter Wing Air Reserve technician, and Senior Airman James White, 509th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels operator, work together to perform a hot pit refuel on a 442nd Fighter Wing A-10 Thunderbolt II, Dec. 8. Hot pit refueling is a procedure usually performed in a combat situation to rapidly refuel aircraft while their engines are running resulting in a speedy refuel to thrust pilots right back into the fight. The 442nd Air Reserve technicians practice this procedure to keep their skills sharp. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kenny Holston) Hi-res

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