ST. GEORGE — Military aircraft will be visible Tuesday in Southern Utah when the 151st Air Refueling Wing marks the 100th anniversary of this precise and critical military practice.
Communities around the world, across the country and throughout Utah are invited to observe this event, which will involve aircraft from both the U.S. Air Force and the Utah Air National Guard.
“Air refueling embodies our resolve to defend freedom and project power, leaving an indelible mark on aviation history,” Gen. Mike Minihan, Air Mobility Command commander, said in a news release. “It connects our strategic vision with operational reality, ensuring we can reach any corner of the globe with unwavering speed and precision.”
Southern Utahns wishing to observe this flyover event should look skyward at 10:55 a.m. in Cedar City and 11:04 a.m. in St. George.
The full schedule follows:
9:50 a.m. – Lagoon
9:56 and 10:15 a.m. – Utah State Capitol Building (including Air Guard & Reserve displays)
10:03 a.m. – Brigham Young University
10:03 a.m. – Utah Valley University
10:55 a.m. – Cedar City Airport
11: 04 a.m. – Utah Tech University
11:43-11:55 a.m. – I-70/I-89 corridor
12:02 p.m. – Strawberry Reservoir
12:07 p.m. – Heber City
12:09 p.m. – Park City
According to the news release, today’s U.S. Air Force air refueling capabilities deliver “unrivaled rapid global reach for U.S. forces and our Allies and partners through the mobility air forces fleet of KC-46, KC-135 and KC-10 tankers.”
Additionally, aerial refueling serves as a force multiplier, increasing the speed, range, lethality, flexibility and versatility of combat aircraft. Tankers also carry cargo and passengers, perform aeromedical evacuations and enable strategic deterrence for the United States.
“Air refueling propels our Nation’s air power across the skies, unleashing its full potential,” Minihan said.
U.S. Army Air Service aviators pulled off the impossible on June 27, 1923. On that day, 1st Lt. Virgil Hine and 1st Lt. Frank W. Seifert, flying a DH-4B, passed gasoline through a hose to another DH-4B flying beneath it carrying Capt. Lowell H. Smith and 1st Lt. John P. Richter, accomplishing the first aerial refueling, the news release said.
This “critical capability” is essential for the Department of Defense’s most vital missions. To remain relevant in the current and future security environments, the Air Force is in the process of recapitalizing its tanker fleet with the ongoing acquisition of the KC-46A and accelerating its pursuit of the next-generation air refueling system (NGAS), announced in March – propelling forward the capability developed and entrusted to Airmen a century ago.
“As we embark on the next 100 years of air refueling, we will continue to strengthen our air mobility excellence,” Minihan said. “We must leverage the remarkable capabilities of air refueling to preserve peace, protect freedom, and bring hope to the world. As Mobility Airmen, we write the next chapter of air refueling.”