U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker from the 100th Air Refueling Wing, landed at Eleftherios Venizelos, Athens International Airport on Wednesday, October 25.
The Stratotanker is scheduled to participate in a short air to air refuelling training mission with the Hellenic Air Force in the next few days.
The training will consist of dry-in-air-refuelling hook ups, allowing the Hellenic Air Force F-16 C/D Fighting Falcons pilots the opportunity to exercise this capability.
“We are excited to be here in Greece and build partnership with the Greeks. Doing this air refuelling is going to be beneficial for us and them,” said Captain Richard Jackson, 351st Air Refueling Squadron pilot. “It gives us good currency and practice with them, and they get the same to qualify some of their pilots with the F-16.”
This is the first time the 100th ARW will operate from this location, which is said to serve as an avenue for the U.S. Air Force to build its capabilities and confidence of its NATO allies.
