On a Wednesday in late October, I and six other pastors and chaplains who have worked with Wisconsin Air National Guard (ANG) personnel were invited to join a refueling mission hosted by the Milwaukee based 128th Air Refueling Wing of the United States Air Force.
The refueling plane was an immaculately maintained Boeing KC 135 with a fuel capacity of 30,000 gallons (200,000 lbs.) and a cruising distance of over 11,000 miles.
During our pre-flight briefing, our mission changed from "refueling four F16 fighter jets over Lake Superior" to "refueling a reconnaissance plane in the skies over Oklahoma." The resulting flight was amazing! Keep in mind that these planes are going 400 miles per hour and are only about fifteen feet apart! The planes practiced "docking" and receiving fuel six or seven times over a forty-five minute period.
Unlike civilian travel, we were free to roam anywhere on the plane and had extended visits in the cockpit! Additionally, we were free to ask any questions we wanted to. Two of mine included:
- – "So, are you capable of refueling Air Force One?" Answer: "Yes, but we hope we never have to because of all the necessary security precautions."
- – "Are you ever called upon to refuel fighter planes from Allied countries?" Answer: "Yes." We were shown a list of the numerous planes from other countries that take advantage of these "gas stations in the sky."
Hats off to the USAF and the ANG for a fantastic job!
Steve Cook is the founder and director of Capital Chaplains, based in Madison WI. Currently, over 450 employees and their families are being ministered to by workplace chaplains at nine locations in Dane County through Capital Chaplains. During the past year Steve also participated in the Faster Pastor race at Madison International Speedway. In the top photo Steve Cook is fourth from left. Joel Alberti of Mad City Church is third from left. Graham Blaikie from