Aerial Refueling Crews Stay Safe Amid COVID-19

Aug. 6, 2020 | BY Air Force Senior Airman Mary Begy

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the 507th Operations Group at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, has ensured that aircrew members and maintainers stay safe by implementing new operating standards for daily missions refueling aircraft from Alaska to Texas.

Air Force Col. Kenneth Humphrey, 507th Operations Group commander, said the ability to conduct the refueling mission is integral to the nation's defense. However, the concerns over COVID-19 and its tendency to spread in close quarters prompted the 507th OG to adapt.

"Human nature and the closeness of our personnel make it difficult to ensure proper safeguard measures are adhered to in the aircraft, briefing rooms and crew transportation," Humphrey said. "The aircraft poses multiple challenges due to the close confines and required interaction of personnel."

With the help of the 507th Air Refueling Wing safety office, the Air Force Reserve Command logistics directorate, and mission partners at the 730th Air Mobility Training Squadron at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, the operations group implemented new flight operating standards to ensure a clean and safe environment to meet mission requirements.

Rigorous sanitizing measures and the use of personal protective equipment were put in place. The new procedures include wearing masks, minimizing nonessential crew contact during preflight inspections and limiting the number of personnel on board the aircraft to reduce the chances of exposure. 

"Contamination across the flight line can easily be spread across the base and city," Humphrey said. "Our [U.S. Strategic Command] and conventional missions remain a top priority. Additional crews have been designated and assigned that could be used in the event primary aircrew come down with the virus."

Pilot and crew training and currency requirements are a priority. The ability to adapt and overcome has facilitated the ops group's ability to maintain readiness. "Our local flying schedule has been sufficient to meet these requirements ensuring we have safe, qualified aircrew to perform the mission and keep the jets flying," Humphrey added.

Air Force Col. Miles Heaslip, 507th ARW commander, said he thinks the members of the wing have done an outstanding job making sure all missions run safely and effectively. "The measures implemented by the ops group once again prove we can overcome anything," he said.

(Air Force Senior Airman Mary Begy is assigned to the 507th Air Refueling Wing.)