74th vTraining Squadron

A-10C Air-to-Air Refueling Guide

A-10C AIR-TO-AIR REFUELING GUIDE

Prepared by Snoopy (paulrkiii)
WARNING
If using this guide ensure you follow your vOrganizations Standard Operating Procedures
(SOP), Operating Instructions (OI), or other applicable guidance/directives.
NOTE
Members of the 476th vFG should review 476th vFG OI 476-01, 476th vFG
Requirements and TO 1A-10C-76CL-1, 476th vFighter Group A-10 Flight Crew
Checklist for latest requirements.

NON CLASSIFIED
FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
PUBLISHED UNDER AUTHORITY OF THE 476TH vFG COMMAND STAFF

www.476thvfightergroup.com

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Training Briefing
INTRODUCTION
CONTENT.
This guide is for DCS A-10C, specifically proper procedures for A-10 Air-to-Air
Refueling. Information to create this guide was pulled from various real world USAF
and NATO documentation.
Any reference to broadcasting on a specific radio channel while in a multiplayer (MP)
server is implied TARS is in use.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
KEY AREAS AROUND TANKER
KEY AREA VISUAL REFERENCES..
AIR REFUELING PANELS, LIGHTS, AND SWITCHES.
TANKER RENDEZVOUS.
KC-135 BOOM LIMITS..
ESTABLISH CONTACT
PRECONTACT CHECKS.
JOINING THE TANKER
AIR REFUELING PROCESS...
DEPARTING THE TANKER.
NIGHT PROCEDURES.

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KEY AREAS AROUND TANKER

The Observation Position this is the initial position a flight will form when joining up
with the tanker. For purposes of this guide it is off the left wing of tanker.
Astern Position this is the position an aircraft is in when initially forming on the
tanker. Normally flight lead or single ship.
Precontact Position this is the position an aircraft is in when asking the tanker for
contact permission.
Contact Position this is the position an aircraft is in when connecting to or
connected to the tanker.
Reform Position this is the position an aircraft moves to when refueling is
completed. For purposes of this guide it is off the right wing of tanker.

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KEY AREAS VISUAL REFERENCE

Astern Position

Precontact Position

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Observation Position

Contact Position

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Reform Position

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AIR REFUELING PANELS, LIGHTS, & SWITCHES

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TANKER RENDEZVOUS
RV DELTA (POINT PARALLEL RENDEZVOUS)
RV Delta is a predictable racetrack pattern flown by the tanker and the receivers, and
either the tanker turns (tanker turn-on) to effect the rejoin or the fighters turn (fighter
turn-on) to effect the rejoin.
The RV Delta procedure requires the receiver to maintain an agreed track and the
tanker to maintain the reciprocal track, offset a pre-determined distance.
Receiver flight will depart the RVIP on course to the RVCP at 230 to 240 KIAS or
cruise airspeed, whichever is higher and aim to be at the RVCP at the RVCT. The RV
Delta (point parallel rendezvous) method is most commonly used.
Receiver flight must maintain a minimum of 1,000 feet below the tanker base altitude
until in visual contact with the tanker.
Receiver flight will aid the rendezvous with electronic aids (A/A) starting no later than
50 NM or the RVIP, whichever occurs first, until reaching the astern position. A/A
TACAN can provide range information for the KC-135.
Following the rendezvous, receivers should turn the receiver off or change frequency
so the tanker can receive distance information from the next set of receivers.

A-10s depart ARIP at cruise airspeed or 230

to 240 KIAS, whichever is greater
Tanker anchor point
Track
Tanker orbit
AT 245 KIAS

30
5 NM

OPT1:
Tanker Turn

10 NM

OPT1:
Fighter Turn

*Diagram not to scale

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KC-135 BOOM LIMITS

18 feet extend outer limit

20 degree azimuth limit (10

degree left or right

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ESTABLISHING CONTACT
Establish contact with the tanker.
Set and monitor tanker TACAN channel
Set and monitor tanker radio frequency

PRECONTACT CHECKS
The following will be accomplished prior to joining the tanker.
Weapons & countermeasures SAFE
FLT Lead will direct flight to form up ECHELON LEFT

JOINING THE TANKER

When 20 miles out:
Radio tanker with your intent to refuel
If on a MP server, broadcast on the tanker frequency [FLT CALLSIGN], inbound
[TANKER CALLSIGN].
o For Example VANGUARD1 inbound SHELL
If another flight is currently refueling the aircraft (or Flight Lead) will broadcast [FLT
CALLSIGN] tanking.
o Inbound flight will remain 1 mile in trail until current flight is complete.
When the last aircraft of the flight currently refueling is in the precontact/contact
position flight in trail may move into the observation position off the tankers left wing.
NOTE
Ensure there is at least 1 receiver aircraft spacing between the flight and
the tanker

AIR REFUELING PROCESS

Accomplish Air-to-Air Refueling checks in accordance with 476th vFG A-10 Aircrew
Checklist (Hot armament safety check, Precontact, Contact).
Unless otherwise briefed, air-to-air refueling will be accomplished in flight position
order and in accordance with 476th vFG A-10 Aircrew Checklist.
Aircraft will move behind tanker (Precontact Position) and radio tanker Ready
Precontact. Once tanker responds and lowers the boom.
Aircraft will move from the Precontact Position to the Contact Position and refuel.
Once refueling complete (aircraft full or fueled to the prebriefed level) the aircraft will
radio Abort and move to the Reform Position.
The next aircraft will move from the Observation Position to the Precontact Position
and radio the tanker Ready Precontact.
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Each flight member will then repeats the process until all are completed.

DEPARTING THE TANKER

Accomplish Air-to-Air Refueling checks in accordance with 476th vFG A-10 Aircrew
Checklist (Post Air Refueling)
Once all members have refueled, lead will broadcast [FLT CALLSIGN], departing
[TANKER CALLSIGN]
o For Example VANGUARD1 Departing SHELL
Flight will deconflict with the tanker & any inbound flights and egress the area.

NIGHT PROCEDURES
During night air-to-air refueling, mission planning and execution is the same as in the
day with the addition of:
Ensure the following lights are ON:
o Slipway (air refueling receptacle) Lights - ON
o Nose Illumination - ON
o Nacelle floodlights - ON
o Formation Lights ON (100%)
o Position lights STEADY
o Anti-Collision ON
NVGs will only be used when air refueling in unfriendly airspace

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