Wolf Pack maintainers, logisticians keep jets fueled for the fight

Two F-16 Fighting Falcons arrive at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Jan. 17, 2024. The two fighter squadrons assigned to Kunsan AB, the 35th and 80th FS, deliver airpower to the Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility and showcase the United States’ commitment to the ironclad Alliance with the ROK. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Karla Parra)

Wolf Pack maintainers, logisticians keep jets fueled for the fight

Senior Airman Collin Johnson, 80th Fighter Generation Squadron aerospace propulsion journeyman, performs maintenance procedures on an F-16 Fighting Falcon during hot pit refueling at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Jan. 17, 2023. Wolf Pack maintainers hone this capability to minimize the time aircraft spend on the ground, sustaining the 8th Fighter Wing’s F-16 presence across the Korean Peninsula. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Karla Parra)

Wolf Pack maintainers, logisticians keep jets fueled for the fight

A member of the 80th Fighter Generation Squadron marshals an F-16 Fighting Falcon for hot pit refueling at Kunsan Air Base Republic of Korea, Jan. 17, 2024. Hot pit refueling is a technique used to eliminate downtime, increase reliability and enhance agility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Karla Parra)

Wolf Pack maintainers, logisticians keep jets fueled for the fight

Senior Airman Robert Klassen, 35th Fighter Generation Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon aerospace propulsion journeyman, attaches a fuel hose to refuel the aircraft during a routine hot pit refueling at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Jan. 17, 2024. Hot pit refueling is a procedure where aircraft receive fuel while keeping their engines running, allowing the aircraft to return to flight faster by minimizing time spent on the ground. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Samuel Earick)

Wolf Pack maintainers, logisticians keep jets fueled for the fight

Published Jan. 17, 2024
By Senior Airman Karla Parra
8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --

The 8th Operations Group and 8th Logistics Readiness Squadron teamed up to conduct hot pit refueling during routine flying operations Jan. 17.

Hot pit refueling refers to a process when aircraft are refueled while their engines are still on. Logisticians and maintainers routinely practice this technique with F-16 Fighting Falcons from both the 80th and 35th Fighter Squadrons. Minimizing the amount of time aircraft spend on the ground returns the aircraft to their mission faster and increases the wing’s readiness posture through agile combat employment principles.