Rapid refueling

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Dakota Brightwell, 20th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, launches a 79th Fighter Squadron fighter pilot out of the “hot pit” area after his aircraft was refueled, Jan. 10, 2013, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. Fuels operators and crew chiefs such as Brightwell performed hot pit refueling procedures for both the 55th and 79th Fighter Squadrons. Hot pit refueling is a procedure usually performed in a combat situation to rapidly refuel aircraft while their engines are running resulting in a speedy refuel to thrust pilots back into the fight. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kenny Holston)(Released)

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Rapid refueling

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jonathan Hinesley, 20th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels operator, operates the fuel truck controls while refueling F-16 Fighting Falcons, Jan. 10, 2013, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. Fuels operators and crew chiefs such as Brightwell performed hot pit refueling procedures for both the 55th and 79th Fighter Squadrons. Hot pit refueling is a procedure usually performed in a combat situation to rapidly refuel aircraft while their engines are running resulting in a speedy refuel to thrust pilots back into the fight. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kenny Holston)(Released)

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Rapid refueling

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot with the 79th Fighter Squadron taxis his aircraft into the “hot pit” to be refueled after performing routine sorties, Jan. 10, 2013, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. Fuels operators and crew chiefs performed hot pit refueling procedures for both the 55th and 79th Fighter Squadrons. Hot pit refueling is a procedure usually performed in a combat situation to rapidly refuel aircraft while their engines are running resulting in a speedy refuel to thrust pilots back into the fight. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kenny Holston)(Released)

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Rapid refueling

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot with the 79th Fighter Squadron looks toward the back rear of his aircraft while communicating with crew chiefs on the ground as his jet is refueled, Jan. 10, 2013, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. Fuels operators and crew chiefs performed hot pit refueling procedures for both the 55th and 79th Fighter Squadrons. Hot pit refueling is a procedure usually performed in a combat situation to rapidly refuel aircraft while their engines are running resulting in a speedy refuel to thrust pilots back into the fight. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kenny Holston)(Released)

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Rapid refueling

Several U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots sit on the ramp in the cockpit of their aircraft while waiting for fuel, Jan. 10, 2013, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. Fuels operators and crew chiefs performed hot pit refueling procedures for both the 55th and 79th Fighter Squadrons. Hot pit refueling is a procedure usually performed in a combat situation to rapidly refuel aircraft while their engines are running resulting in a speedy refuel to thrust pilots back into the fight. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kenny Holston)(Released)

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Rapid refueling

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Dakota Brightwell, 20th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, marshals an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot into the “hot pit” area to begin refueling the pilots aircraft, Jan. 10, 2013, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. Fuels operators and crew chiefs such as Brightwell performed hot pit refueling procedures for both the 55th and 79th Fighter Squadrons. Hot pit refueling is a procedure usually performed in a combat situation to rapidly refuel aircraft while their engines are running resulting in a speedy refuel to thrust pilots back into the fight. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kenny Holston)(Released)

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Rapid refueling

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Dakota Brightwell, 20th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, looks across the flightline as he communicates via headset with F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots while they refuel, Jan. 10, 2013, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. Fuels operators and crew chiefs such as Brightwell performed hot pit refueling procedures for both the 55th and 79th Fighter Squadrons. Hot pit refueling is a procedure usually performed in a combat situation to rapidly refuel aircraft while their engines are running resulting in a speedy refuel to thrust pilots back into the fight. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kenny Holston)(Released)

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Rapid refueling

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Justin Glass, 20th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aircraft maintainer, carries the “hot pit” chalks to the designated hot pit area to begin refueling F-16 Fighting Falcons, Jan. 10, 2013, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. Fuels operators and crew chiefs such as Brightwell performed hot pit refueling procedures for both the 55th and 79th Fighter Squadrons. Hot pit refueling is a procedure usually performed in a combat situation to rapidly refuel aircraft while their engines are running resulting in a speedy refuel to thrust pilots back into the fight. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kenny Holston)(Released)

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Rapid refueling

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jonathan Hinesley, 20th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels operator drags a fuel hose away from an F-16 Fighting Falcon after refueling the aircraft, Jan. 10, 2013, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. Hinesley and other fuels operators and crew chiefs performed hot pit refueling procedures for both the 55th and 79th Fighter Squadrons. Hot pit refueling is a procedure usually performed in a combat situation to rapidly refuel aircraft while their engines are running resulting in a speedy refuel to thrust pilots back into the fight. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kenny Holston)(Released)

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Rapid refueling helps pilots maintain flight hours

Published Jan. 14, 2013
By Staff Sgt. Kenny Holston
20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots assigned to the 55th and 79th Fighter Squadrons participated here in a rapid refueling method called "hot pits" Jan. 10.

Team Shaw crew chiefs and refueling specialists performed the rapid refueling method for the pilots, which helped them return to conducting training sorties.

Hot pit refueling is a procedure usually performed in a combat situation to rapidly refuel aircraft while their engines are running, resulting in a speedy refuel to thrust pilots right back into the fight.

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Rapid refueling

Rapid refueling

Rapid refueling

Rapid refueling

Rapid refueling

Rapid refueling

Rapid refueling

Rapid refueling

Rapid refueling