F-16 Hot Pit Refueling
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Aaron Simonson, 20th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, marshals 1st Lt. Josh Reddis, F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot, into the hot pit in order for Reddis jet to be refueled, Nov. 8, 2012, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. 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. Refueling specialists, crew chiefs and pilots assigned to the 20th Fighter Wing practice this procedure to keep their skills sharp and aid in the effort to provide combat-ready air power at a moment’s notice. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kenny Holston/Released)