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NAVAIR interns participate in KC-10 air-refueling mission

  • Published
  • By Tom Worsdale
  • NAVAIR Public Affairs Office
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  A group of 45 interns from Naval Air Systems Command Lakehurst's Professional Development Group participated in a refueling training mission with the 305th Air Mobility Wing at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Oct. 28.

The interns flew aboard two of the Wing's KC-10 air refueling tankers in a four-hour mission which took them out over the Atlantic Ocean, up through northern New York and back to JB MDL to practice tanker and receiver aerial refueling. Interns had the opportunity to sit in the cockpit, talk with crew members and watch the boom operator conduct contacts with the other aircraft while flying at over 400 mph.

The PDG is an intern-run organization that helps entry-level NAVAIR employees develop into performance-level journeymen by providing skills, knowledge and other performance aptitudes necessary for successful personal and career growth. Educational opportunities such as this event are ideal for the interns.

PDG Chairman Jay Chu and events committee head, Kevin Kasper arranged this unique experience for the interns by working with Gerry Zanzalari of the JB MDL Public Affairs Office.

"Gerry, along with the cooperation of the airmen from the 305th Air Mobility Wing were wonderful in making this flight possible" said Kasper.

The interns all arrived at the McGuire Passenger Terminal at 7:30 a.m. and boarded the massive KC-10s for safety briefings and a 9 a.m. takeoff, with one lucky intern getting to sit in the cockpit; another had the opportunity during the landing. Once refueling training began, two interns from the first aircraft and the boom operator went to the air refueling operator's compartment at the rear of the aircraft to observe boom air refueling. Interns from the second KC-10 took turns sitting in the cockpit to view their aircraft being refueled. After a few minutes in contact, the boom operator disconnected and repeated the process for nine other sets of interns.

"The opportunity to observe this training mission was very educational for all of the NAVAIR PDG interns from Lakehurst. It showed us first hand a critical defense mission that is performed every day by one of our sister services, the U.S. Air Force" stated Chu.

"We are very grateful for the time and expertise they shared with us."

Plans are underway to work with the 305th Air Mobility Wing and have another group of interns participate in this experience next year. For more information on the Professional Development group, contact Jay Chu at 732-323-1989.