Hawaii ANG underway in the skies over Thailand

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Angelique Perez
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  A KC-135 tanker unit refuels a team of U.S. and Thai military aircraft in the open skies of Korat, Thailand, March 12 as part of the air-refueling phase of Exercise Cope Tiger 2009.
One of only two aircraft refuelers deployed to Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base from the 203rd Air National Guard unit stationed at Hickam Air Force Base, HI. 

"Working with the Thai Air Force is always a pleasure," said Master Sgt. Mark Sindiong, 203rd Hawaii ANG KC-135 instructor and boom operator. "It's a great opportunity to team-build and gain experience with different cultures and different militaries." 

The team's main purpose in the exercise is to provide a training environment for the Royal Thai Air Force and participating U.S. military pilots to sharpen their in-air refueling skills with multinational aircraft. Additionally, it provides an opportunity for the Thai pilots to practice radio communication with an American aircraft refueling crew. 

Refueling multinational aircraft has been going very smoothly during the exercise said the sergeant. 

"They are a very professional and proficient air force," he added. "We haven't had any problems with refueling them at all and we do a lot of cross-talk before the mission as well as some cross-talk after the mission." 

As receivers pull up to the tanker, Sergeant Sindiong maintains responsibility for the safe separation of both the tanker and the receiving aircraft. Because of the close proximity of the two aircraft, this task requires meticulous attention to detail. Meanwhile, he also keeps the pilots informed on the status of the receiver during the refueling process while monitoring the structural limitations of the boom to ensure the operation is conducted in a secure, safe and efficient manner. 

Up in the cockpit of the KC-135, the pilots keep a watchful eye out for any signs of trouble while maintaining strict air speed, altitude, and a steady course, all of which are essential to a successful air refueling mission. At any sign of trouble, with the large amount of fuel on board, they must be ready to react instantly to avoid disaster. 

For one lieutenant experiencing his first deployment, he knows the importance of keeping the aircraft stable for the receiver and helping them accomplish the mission. 

"It is important to maintain a high level of situational awareness," said 1st Lt. Koani Lau, 203rd Hawaii ANG KC-135 pilot. "When you get two aircraft in such close vicinity, safety is paramount." 

It's a huge team effort involving a lot of planning and training, he added.
Lieutenant Lau said the training is invaluable as a new pilot as he gets to work with the different airframes from both U.S. and Thai forces. 

The tanker unit will use what they have learned in Exercise Cope Tiger for future PACAF exercises and real-world operations. 

"You can't express enough how beneficial it is to work with our foreign counterparts and understand how to better support our allies," said Sergeant Sindiong.