Record-setting tankers key to combat mission planning every day in AOR

Published Sept. 17, 2010
By Roger Drinnon
Air Mobility Command Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Tankers set a new record for air refueling in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, as U.S. Air Forces Central mission planners reached 4.5 million pounds of fuel delivered to aircraft Sept. 17, while sustaining an unprecedented average of 3.7 million pounds of fuel delivered daily for 2010.

This record amount of fuel provided for joint and coalition aircraft reflects the increasing combat support role of tankers in counter-insurgency operations.

"Tanker support is essential to effects-based combat operations," said Maj. John Kelley, Air Refueling Control Team Chief for the Combined Air and Space Operation Center's Air Mobility Division. "Close air support and reconnaissance aircraft depend on tanker missions, in particular, to provide the ground commanders' desired combat effects."

Major Kelley said tankers are vital, because they increase fighter aircraft endurance by allowing longer aircraft loiter time without landing for ground refueling. He said tanker support is the last stop in mission planning before an Air Tasking Order can be published.

Each day, Combined Air and Space Operations Center personnel plan for, implement and assess an ATO, which aligns joint and coalition aircraft with the combat requirements of joint and coalition commanders in the U.S. CENTCOM AOR. The ATO formally tasks aircraft to support combat missions, including those for Operation Enduring Freedom.

The Air Refueling Control Team works around the clock planning tanker support at least 24 hours in advance. The team's perpetual planning ensures air refueling requirements are incorporated in the daily ATO, which in turn ensures combat mission success.

"Our Tanker support plan is the glue that holds the ATO together," said Capt. Nick Rowe, OEF Chief of Tanker Planning.

He said joint and coalition service representatives in the planning process greatly appreciate what tankers bring to the fight.

"Tankers are absolutely essential to our success," said U.S. Army Maj. Matt Starsnic, deputy plans officer for the Battlefield Coordination Detachment, located within the CAOC's 609th Air Operations Center. "Without tanker support to close air support and electronic warfare (aircraft), none of our ground combat operations would succeed."

The 609th AOC also has the flexibility to redirect tanker and other combat support aircraft amid the dynamics of ground combat, as instances of Troops In Contact (TICs) emerge. TICs can occur without notice, as U.S. and coalition ground forces encounter insurgents in the combat environment.

"The Battlefield Coordination Detachment defines the ground commander's requirements, and we're always talking to commanders and (joint and coalition) liaison officers," said Major Kelley. "It's important to have this constant dialogue, because no combat mission can succeed without planning for air refueling."

"Tankers are critical to these operations, especially considering the distance from where (combat support) aircraft bed down to where they cover," said Col. David Almand, AMD director. "The constant (combat support aircraft) presence enabled by tankers prevents insurgents from retaking the ground secured by ground forces."