Questions about official AAR procedures

[sirrah]

Not really sure where to put this question, but this sub-forum seems right

 

I was looking for any official (perhaps older and declassified) procedures on AAR, but my poor Google skills fail me.

 

I know about forming on the left wing of the tanker, connect/refuel, wait on the tankers right wing for the rest of your flight. But I was curious about the details.

 

E.g.:

1. I assume the flight member with the lowest state will refuel first, but does that mean he will start directly left of the tanker and after refuel, form directly on the right wing. And if so, will the rest of the flight close up on the tanker, or just stay in formation (and with that create a gap)?
2. Are there any communications between the flight members during the entire procedure (apart from maybe calling out initial fuel states)?
3. Are there any differences between Air Force, Navy, Marines?
4. Are there any differences due to situation (at war over enemy territory, or in peace time)?

 

Just a few questions I was wondering about. Is there any info available/declassified on this?

Edited August 1, 2021 by sirrah

[G.J.S]

1., yes - lowest fuel is the winner (subjective!), and takes priority if very low.

2., After the shout out about state, generally no - everybody knows the procedure- and everybody will be aware of who goes next etc based on states.

3., Doubtful, but I’ve only ever used RAF and USAF with drogue. 
4., Absolutely! Typically on a war footing (the Persian Gulf War 1 being a prime example) tanking is performed with no comms. You get assigned a bracket - altitude, type, time etc - and that’s your tanker. He will be expecting you. Your only comms being the belly or basket lights.

 

http://www.navedu.navy.mi.th/stg/databasestory/data/laukniyom/ship-active/big-country-ship/United-States/ATP/ATP56A.pdf

 

 

 

[sirrah]

Thank you @G.J.S!

Very extensive and informative documentation there 

 

It really surprises me to read that the receivers are supposed to join up on the right side of the tanker.

 

 

I always heard/read that joining was done on the tankers' left wing. In mil aviation books and for instance in this YT video by a former French pilot

joining up is done on the tankers' left wing.

 

 

Also, I didn't know about the QF procedure. Again, thanks for this great source!

 

 

(At some point, I want to try and recreate a more realistic AAR training mission (for maybe a few modules), including proper formation procedures)

Edited August 1, 2021 by sirrah

[G.J.S]

No problem.

 

However, I’ve always joined from port and left via starboard. A couple of “straight ins” when fuel critical, but never personally stbd first.

[sirrah]

7 minutes ago, G.J.S said:

No problem.

 

However, I’ve always joined from port and left via starboard. A couple of “straight ins” when fuel critical, but never personally stbd first.

So, would you think it's safe to assume that the procedure in this document has, at some point, been changed to "join on port-side" instead?

(seeing the document date says November 2000)

[G.J.S]

“Possibly”.

 

However, I flew late ‘80’s to very late ‘90’s, I doubt that ‘which side’ would change, I really cannot see why one side would be more favourable than the other.

It may be the preferred side now, who knows. But I cannot see any reason to change?. There isn’t any hard and fast ruling that dictates joining one way over the other - as long as tanker crew gives the join instruction, you follow their direction.

We always joined off port wing, echelon if more than single ship, and left via stbd wing - waiting there until all receivers in your flight have topped off, then you exit as a flight following the tankers ‘kiss-off’.