VIDEO: Aerial Refueling for E-2Ds Will Expand Reach of Carrier Strike Groups
By: Megan Eckstein
September 1, 2020 11:42 AM
The Navy is bringing an aerial refueling capability to its E-2D Advanced Hawkeye command and control fleet, with the first operational squadron certifying its pilots to refuel with Air Force tankers.
The airborne command and control planes have been in operation in the carrier air wing since 2015 but have, until now, not been able to refuel in the air. When the planes get low on fuel, regardless of what targets they’re tracking or what communications they’re helping relay, they need to circle back to the aircraft carrier, land and refuel on the flight deck.
The “Seahawks†of Airborne Command & Control Squadron (VAW) 126 accepted their first aircraft modified to conduct air refuelings on July 27. Two pilots in the squadron qualified for aerial refueling on Aug. 14, making them the first pilots in an operational squadron to do so. Since then, the rest of the unit’s pilots have continued to conduct the necessary day and night evolutions to become certified as well, with at least 10 pilots now qualified.
https://news.usni.org/2020/09/01/video-aerial-refueling-for-e-2ds-will-expand-reach-of-carrier-strike-groups
