BILLED Great Britain | Exercise Droptank

[Jamie]

EXERCISE DROPTANK MINISTRY OF DEFENCE ROYAL AIR FORCE

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TRAINING DIRECTIVE
OCTOBER 1995
TOP SECRET​

[1] OVERVIEW

[1a] BACKGROUND​

[1b] OPERATIONAL OBJECTIVES​

[2] BELLIGERENTS
[3] ORDER OF BATTLE
[4] OPERATION STAGING AREAS
[5] CAMPAIGN REGISTER

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[1] OVERVIEW

[1a] BACKGROUND
Refresher course on air to air refueling for the TriStar Aircraft, supporting their C-130 Counterparts.

[1b] OPERATIONAL OBJECTIVES

1. Conduct and enforce safe procedures of Air to Air Refueling.

[2] BELLIGERENTS

Blufor United Kingdom Opfor

[3] ORDER OF BATTLE as of APR1995

[19] Lockheed Martin TriStar KC1 Aircraft (COYOTE006-COYOTE024)
[42] C-130-J-30 Hercules (ASCOT001-ASCOT042)​

[4] OPERATION STAGING AREAS

DESIGNATION	LOCATION	STATUS
RAF Brize Norton	RAF Brize Norton	Active

[5] CAMPAIGN REGISTER as of APR1995

Campaign	Location	Objective(s)	Dates	Status
Exercise Droptank	United Kingdom	Refueling Training between TriStars and C-130s.	OCT1995-Present	In Progress

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[Jamie]

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RAF Brize Norton, the home of the Royal Air Force Tanker and Transport Fleets was probably one of the busiest military airports internationally. At this moment in time, the airport was engulfed with life as the entire fleet of C-130-J-30 Hercules accompanied by the majority of the Lockheed Martin Tristar's were preparing to begin exercise Droptank which will happen for the next week. This would serve as the official certification for the aircrafts Air to Air Refueling capability. Briefings had begun in the individual squadron flights to confirm the intention, split into multiple phases:

• Air to Air Refueling, Day.
• Air to Air Refueling, Night

Once both were complete, those involved would be officially certified for carrying out the refuel or receiving it. Due to the amount of personnel involved, two days have been allocated with briefings and orientation. It also gave the opportunity for the crews to meet new people within the Air Force if they hadn't come across them already.

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[Jamie]

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Following the completion of the briefings and orientation phases, the physical aspects begun. The first task was to deliver all the C-130-J-30s to RAF Lossiemouth. This journey itself would require all C130s to refuel in the air at least once, during daylight conditions. This would mean the limited number of TriStars were required to refuel multiple C130s in a single run. Landing to refuel if neccessary to keep themselves and the c130 fleet moving. Of course, this wasn't done in one go but was done in batches. Each aircraft would have an RAF Assessor on to provide methods of improvement. No doubt the exercise would gain a lot of interest from aviation photographers that had gathered near Brize Norton to witness mass departures.

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[Jamie]

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The journey from Brize Norton to RAF Lossiemouth was considered a large scale operation. To have a combined effort of 61 Aircraft from the Royal Air Force depart the same base with the same destination had given those interested in military aircraft a whole lot of activity from the airbases. Individually taking off and under strict guidance of air traffic control and their assessors. It required solid communication between all aircraft involved to carry out aerial refueling and formation flying to maximize the benefit of the training exercise. Over the course of the journey, even though it wasn't required, all C-130s were refueled twice to ensure enough practice was given. This provided the Tri-Star crews with the confidence required to do their job whilst displaying the UK's capability to carry out long-duration haulage across the world if required.

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[Jamie]

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The aircraft had all landed individually, and safely at RAF Lossiemouth. Capturing the interests of Scottish aviation enthusiasts. A debriefing had followed before giving them a day of rest. The next morning, new briefings occurred which resulted in the aircraft making their return to RAF Brize Norton, following a similar path back to re-affirm their ability for mass refueling. Something that may become useful in the coming days in relation to the Black Tide scenario unfolding in the South Atlantic. Following their briefings, the flights in their respective groups would depart and begin their air to air refueling exercise again. This time, under assessment conditions from specially trained instructors who had traveled to Lossiemouth for the purpose of certifying the crews involved.

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[Jamie]

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Overhead of the UK the masses of Royal Air Force Tristars and C-130s would sure provide a good sight for those who loved aviation. Working in unison, and at height, air to air refueling would be conducted under strict assessment conditions. Their instructor reviewing each procedure to ensure it was all meeting the requirements that would give the official clearance to conduct air to air refueling. Although they are able to do it and have done it without the certification, it's merely the official construct to prevent any legal disputes in the event of a tragic event happening, but also work to prevent been in that position to begin with. Individually and following routine air traffic control, all the aircraft begun their approach and landed safely at their home base. Following all this occurring, and taxiing to their relevant areas, the passing out parade would occur to signal that all those involved have passed. Receiving their official certification.

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