Royal Australian Air Force Refuels USAF Aircraft in Trials

A RAAF KC-30A conducted air-to-air clearance trials with U.S. Air Force RC-135 and A-10C Thunderbolt II airframes.

Monday, January 08, 2024 at 01:53 PM ET

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A RAAF KC-30A multirole tanker transport from 33 Squadron (left) conducts air-to-air refueling trials with a U.S. Air Force Boeing RC-135. [Courtesy: U.S. Air Force via RAAF]

Key Takeaways:

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) concluded extensive air-to-air refueling clearance trials with U.S. Air Force RC-135 and A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft.
Over nearly a month, an RAAF KC-30A tanker successfully conducted more than 400 contacts with USAF airframes at Edwards Air Force Base.
This collaboration significantly increases interoperability and allows for the sharing of best practices between the Australian and U.S. militaries.
The successful trials will enable the RAAF to provide vital fuel support for USAF airframes in future exercises and operations, pending formal documentation and approval from both countries.

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The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has concluded air-to-air refueling clearance trials with U.S. Air Force RC-135 and A-10C Thunderbolt II airframes.

An RAAF KC-30A multirole tanker from 33 Squadron collaborated with USAF’s 418th Flight Test Squadron (FLTS) at Edwards Air Force Base, California, conducting more than 400 contacts of the airframes over the course of nearly a month, RAAF said Monday.