Photo By Tech. Sgt. Darius Sostre-Miroir | An MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle receives fuel from an HC-130J Combat King II...... read more read more
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AVON PARK AIR FORCE RANGE, Fla. -- Aircrew and an HC-130J Combat King II aircraft assigned to the 920th Rescue Wing refueled an MQ-9 Reaper assigned to the 65th Special Operations Squadron during a forward arming and refueling point training exercise here, Aug. 8.
The HC-130J is designed to conduct combat search and rescue missions, provide a command-and-control platform, in-flight refuel aircraft and carry supplemental fuel for extending range or conducting FARP. The MQ-9 is a multi-mission, remotely piloted aircraft that's employed primarily as an intelligence-collection asset but also against dynamic execution targets. In order to extend the operational reach of the Reaper, the Combat King II is called in for its FARP capability.
A FARP is an area where aircraft can be refueled and re-armed at a distance closer to their area of operations than an established base. This capability embodies Agile Combat Employment, the doctrine that emphasizes mobility even in hostile areas where infrastructure is scarce.
“Personnel recovery and CSAR are important services that we provide to the joint force," said Lt. Col. Paul Golando, 39th RQS commander. "In order to extend our rescue capabilities, the use of FARP is critical in our global range, increased medical coverage and the ability to reintegrate joint and coalition personnel quickly and get them back in the fight."
FARP provides the fuel necessary for aircraft operations to continue their mission while reducing the vulnerability of forward deployed forces. It's accomplished on the ground, using a system of hoses to transfer gas from an HC-130J into another aircraft. By establishing a FARP in or near the area of operations, forces can rapidly re-arm and refuel, minimizing downtime.
“We effectively become a mobile gas station that allows aircraft to go farther and expand the range of other aircraft or vehicles that are not able to refuel in-flight," Golando said. "Another capability of FARP is to re-arm, so aircraft like the MQ-9, F-22 and other munition-carrying aircraft can shorten duration and distance between missions."
The 39th RQS operates HC-130J aircraft that carry out the 920th RQW’s mission to plan, lead and conduct military rescue operations and missions to deny competitors and adversaries exploitation of isolated personnel.
| Date Taken: | 08.08.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 08.11.2023 14:30 |
| Story ID: | 451216 |
| Location: | AVON PARK, FLORIDA, US |
| Web Views: | 125 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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