KC-135 Stratotanker on Emergency Training

Text: Dániel Luka PhD | Photo: by the author and Sergeant Georgina Cser | 14:21 June 19, 2024

Similarly to last year, an American KC-135 Stratotanker air-to-air refueling tanker aircraft recently landed at the HDF 47th Airbase to simulate a possible emergency with the participation of American and Hungarian military personnel.

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As for the American party, airmen of the 121st Air Refueling Wing of the Ohio Air National Guard, and from the airbase, firefighters, loadmasters and soldiers of the HDF Medical Centre cooperated in the training.

The servicing, towing and refueling of the aircraft and the reception of the crew began right after landing. The giant tanker aircraft was towed professionally with a towbar suitable for the type, which was brought onboard by the US airmen. The firefighters of the airbase practiced the emergency procedure onboard the aircraft in case of fire. According to the simulation scenario, the starboard engine caught fire, which also spread to the cargo hold. Therefore, the firefighters got to the casualties via the emergency exit and the medical personnel started tending to the rescued crew immediately.

During the several-day training, the soldiers practiced cooperation with another nation, further broadening their skills and professional knowledge.