Available tankers (Source Training Theatre)

TANKER INFORMATION
	CALLSIGN	FREQUENCY	TACAN	ALTITUDE	NOTES
S-3B VIKING	MAULER 6-1	311.5 MHz	25Y	6,000ft	CARRIER RECOVERY TANKER
KC-135 MPRS	SHELL 2-1	254.0 MHz	38X	24,000ft	TRA ADANA

S-3B is a small, carrier capable tanker that has one drogue capable of refueling only one aircraft at a time. It is established in a left hand racetrack pattern around the carrier on the BRC.

KC-135 MPRS is a large purpose built tanker with the Multi-Point Refueling System (MPRS) pods installed on each wingtip, which allows for two probe-style aircraft to connect and receive fuel at the same time. It is established in a left hand racetrack pattern within TRA ADANA.

F/A-18C Hornet — Air-to-Air Refueling (AAR) Standard Procedure

1. Inbound and Join-Up on Port (Left) Observation

Tanker Intercept

Proceed to the tanker's position via the assigned rendezvous point, altitude, and heading (as briefed or per controlling agency instructions).
Call the tanker with "Intent to refuel" once on tanker frequency
You need to be at least 1,000ft (recommended 2,000ft) underneath the tanker while maneuvering for the join-up. Once you have visual with the tanker (not with onboard sensors, with your actual eyes), you may begin a slow climb to reach the tanker at co-altitude level)

Closure Rate vs. Range — Speed Management Table

Range	Target Closure
2 NM	≤ 200 KIAS closure
1 NM	≤ 100 KIAS closure
0.5 NM	≤ 50 KIAS closure
0.4 NM	≤ 40 KIAS closure
0.3 NM	≤ 30 KIAS closure
0.2 NM	≤ 20 KIAS closure
0.1 NM	≤ 10 KIAS closure

How to use this table in practice:

Easy way to memorize is to multiply your range by 100. This will give you your MAXIMUM CLOSURE VELOCITY (Indicated as "Vc" on the HUD). Do not treat it as a required speed checkpoint, if you have less than 400kts closure at 4nm this does not mean you need to accelerate.
This method works best during rear aspect join-ups (if you're intercepting from the front of the tanker you have a bigger problem)

Port Observation

Port Observation is the holding area established in left echelon off the tanker, slightly aft and level with (or slightly below) the tanker's wing line.
This is where flight lead sorts flight members in refueling order — lowest fuel is closest to the basket.
Maintain a disciplined and rigid echelon here, no swaying around.

2. Transition to Pre-Contact and Connect

When cleared and ready to move from Port Observation to Pre-Contact, complete the following memory items BEFORE leaving port observation:

Item	Setting
Refueling probe	EXTEND
Radar	SIL / STBY
Engine Bleed Air	RIGHT OFF (optional)
Throttle	Manual ONLY; avoid ATC

Right engine bleed air was switched off IRL to prevent drogue fuel leaks from entering the cabin via the right engine intake

Throttle technique: Avoid relying on Automatic Throttle Control (ATC) whenever possible. While convenient, relying on ATC keeps you from developing and maintaining the fine throttle control skills that are important throughout many other phases of flying the Hornet.

Closing on the basket:

Move from Port Observation, cross UNDER AND BEHIND the tanker and any potential aircraft that may already be connected, and stabilize in the Pre-Contact position.
On clearance, wait for the basket to fully extend before crawling the jet forward very very slowly. Make small, early corrections rather than large, late ones.
Once connected, shift your perspective to flying in formation with the aircraft. Do not tunnel vision on the basket.
Confirm a good connection (contact light/indication, fuel flow) before settling into position and monitoring fuel transfer. If the MPRS pod shows a steady light, you are in a good position and are taking fuel. If the light suddenly goes off while you are still connected, it means you are either too close or too far from the basket. If the light starts blinking, the refueling process will complete in about 5 seconds and automatically disconnect.

3. Disconnect and Join Up on Starboard (Right) Observation

Once refueling is complete (full load or as briefed), smoothly reduce power slightly to back straight out of the basket — avoid abrupt throttle changes or lateral drift during disconnect.
Confirm disconnected from basket and retract the refueling probe.
Engine Bleed Air — restore to NORM (if previously turned off for the right engine).
Clear from BEHIND and UNDER the tanker to the Starboard (Right) Observation position — the mirror of Port Observation, held in right echelon off the tanker.
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