The United States Air Force has extended an invitation to the American public to join them on June 27 to observe flyovers of their air refuelers above communities across the country and around the world. This is in honor of 100 years of aerial refueling excellence, an achievement that has enabled the Air Force to deliver unrivaled rapid global reach for U.S. forces and our Allies and partners through the mobility air forces fleet of KC-46, KC-135 and KC-10 tankers.
The flyover will begin from Key Field Air National Guard Base in Mississippi and will feature the KC-135R, along with other fighters and cargo aircraft from a three-state area. The route of flight will be visible from landmarks in Mississippi, Arkansas, and Louisiana.
Landmarks and approximate local times are as follows.
9:15 a.m. Meridian, Miss.—Threefoot Hotel
9:45 a.m. Mississippi Gulf Coast, Pascagoula
10:00 a.m. Mississippi Gulf Coast, Waveland
10:30 a.m. Natchez, Miss.--Vidalia Bridge
10:40 a.m. Vicksburg, Miss.--Vicksburg National Military Park
10:50 a.m. Jackson, Miss.--Mississippi State Capitol
11:55 a.m. Fayetteville, Ark.---Arkansas Razorback Stadium
12:10 p.m. Fort Smith, Ark.
12:30 p.m. Little Rock, Ark.--Arkansas State Capitol
1:40 p.m. Baton Rouge, La.—U.S.S. Kidd
1:55 p.m. New Orleans, La.---Super Dome/Jackson Square
The first aerial refueling was accomplished on June 27, 1923, by 1st Lt. Virgil Hine and 1st Lt. Frank W. Seifert, flying a DH-4B, who passed gasoline through a hose to another DH-4B flying beneath it carrying Capt. Lowell H. Smith and 1st Lt. John P. Richter, marking the beginning of a game-changing capability that was once deemed impossible.
“As we embark on the next 100 years of air refueling, we will continue to strengthen our air mobility excellence,” said Gen. Mike Minihan, Air Mobility Command commander. “We must leverage the remarkable capabilities of air refueling to preserve peace, protect freedom, and bring hope to the world. As Mobility Airmen, we write the next chapter of air refueling.”