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F-16s burn up runway with hot pits

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Alexis Rognholt, 20th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron tactical aircraft maintainer, guides a pilot on the “hot pits” ramp at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Jan. 3, 2018. Tactical aircraft maintainers are responsible for fueling Shaw F-16CM Fighting Falcons, including during hot pits, a technique that maximizes the number of sorties a squadron can perform in a duty day. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Destinee Sweeney)

F-16s burn up runway with hot pits

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jacob Stiffler, 20th Component Maintenance Squadron aerospace propulsion journeyman, holds chocks while waiting for his partner to marshall in an F-16CM Fighting Falcon onto its designated spot on the ramp at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Jan. 3, 2018. Stiffler was responsible for inspecting the F-16 and placing chocks to prevent it from moving during the refueling process. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Destinee Sweeney)

F-16s burn up runway with hot pits

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jacob Stiffler, 20th Component Maintenance Squadron aerospace propulsion journeyman, left, and Senior Airman Alexis Rognholt, 20th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron tactical aircraft maintainer, high-five after refueling an F-16CM Fighting Falcon during “hot pits” at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Jan. 3, 2018. Hot pits allow pilots to perform more training missions than during a normal duty day by minimizing the time between refueling and requires fewer briefs and debriefs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Destinee Sweeney)

F-16s burn up runway with hot pits

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Reginald Box, 20th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels management apprentice, removes a fuel hose from an F-16CM Fighting Falcon after refueling at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Jan. 3, 2018. During “hot pits,” fuels management technicians are responsible for monitoring the fueling process via instruments on the R-11 refueling truck. (U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Destinee Sweeney)

F-16s burn up runway with hot pits

Published Jan. 10, 2018
By Senior Airman Destinee Sweeney
20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Just as race car drivers trust their pit crew to repair their vehicle during a pit stop, pilots trust tactical aircraft maintainers to fuel their aircraft and check for damage during “hot pits” so they can continue flying training missions to hone their skills.

“We use hot pits to refuel the jets without shutting them down,” said 1st Lt. Tyler D’Agostino, 79th Fighter Squadron assistant standard evaluations officer. “It ends up being a lot quicker of a process to get the jets refueled and back up for another flight.”

Without hot pits, the pilots need to park the jets before they are refueled and then debrief their sortie. A few hours later, the second set of flights can take off.

Using hot pits compresses the timeline by allowing the jet to be refueled while running. The pilot is then able to immediately go back up into the airspace for another sortie.

The 20th FW performs hot pits about once a week with the exception of exercises and surges.

D’Agnostino said hot pits can reduce time in between sorties, which are practice missions, from three or more hours to about one hour. A squadron is able to complete approximately 34 sorties during hot pits versus around 22 during normal operations.

This allows the pilots, who are required to fly nine sorties a month, to stay combat-mission ready by increasing skill proficiency, experience in weapons employment and confidence.

While helping develop pilots’ skills, hot pits also serve as a learning opportunity for many 20th Maintenance Group Airmen.

During hot pits, 20th MXG Airmen work in pairs alongside 20th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels management technicians.

“Once people are trained on hot pits, it becomes a routine,” said Senior Airman Marques Jones, 20th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron tactical aircraft maintainer and hot pits supervisor.

Jones said hot pits helps maintenance Airmen understand the jet better and increases their ability to troubleshoot problems.

To qualify for hot pits, Airmen must meet time on station requirements, take a hot pits course and be certified by both an instructor and quality assurance.

Working together, the flightline ensures flying hour requirements are met and readiness is maintained.

After refueling the aircraft, a tactical aircraft maintainer marshalls out the jet for another sortie and high-fives their partner. Their pilot takes off from the flightline prepared for another mission.