Going Drogue with the 380th EAMXS

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Andrew Leaver, 380th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (EAMXS) hydraulic craftsman, speaks into his headset during a drogue maintenance operation at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, April 6, 2021. The 380th EAMXS performs these operations every 12 weeks to ensure the drogue is 100 percent efficient. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Miranda A. Loera)

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Brandon Weber (left), 380th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (EAMXS) hydraulics specialist, and Staff Sgt. Daniel Destefano (right), 380th EAMXS electrics and environmental journeyman, pack up equipment used during a drogue maintenance operation at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, April 6, 2021. Drogue maintenance is performed every 12 weeks to ensure proper function and aerial aircraft refueling capability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Miranda A. Loera)

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Andrew Leaver, 380th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (EAMXS) hydraulic craftsman, pushes a button to retract the aircraft’s drogue during routine maintenance at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, April 6, 2021. The maintenance performed on drogues follows a multi-step process to ensure accurate capability and performance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Miranda A. Loera)

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Brandon Weber, 380th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (EAMXS) hydraulics specialist, prepares to perform drogue maintenance for a KC-10 Extender at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, April 6, 2021. The KC-10 relies on the drogue to provide aerial refueling to numerous aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Miranda A. Loera)

Two members of the 380th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron attach a drogue to a truck during routine maintenance at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, April 6, 2021. A hose and drogue centerline refueling system on a KC-10 undergoes regular 12-week maintenance to ensure it is capable of refueling a wide variety of U.S. and allied military aircraft within the same mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Miranda A. Loera)