SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Scott Air Force Base recently hosted a pair of F-35A Lightning IIs from the 388th Fighter Wing based at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, as a part of an Air Force-wide push to expand hot-pit refueling capabilities, Jan. 18, 2024.
Hot-pit refueling is the practice of refueling an aircraft immediately after landing while keeping the engines running to minimize time spent on the ground. Hot-pit refueling allows sorties to be generated faster, allowing more effective power projection capabilities.
This practice goes hand in hand with the Air Force’s focus on the Agile Combat Employment concept, which works on improving resilience and survivability while generating combat power. ACE was created in response to growing threats from rapidly developing technology, resulting in increased vulnerability of bases, as well as budget limitations, and the changing political landscape.
“It allows aircraft to rapidly get back into the fight,” said Tech Sgt. Lauren Carosi, 375th Operations Support Squadron airfield management operations non-commissioned officer in charge. “It is critical to the ACE construct as the 375th Air Mobility Wing prepares Airmen to be combat-effective in dispersed and contested environments.”
Tech. Sgt. Bobbie Clark, 388th Maintenance Group quality assurance inspector, and Senior Airman Derek Ayers, 388th Logistics Support Squadron training instructor, trained Airmen from the 375th Logistics Readiness Squadron and civilians from the 375th OSS on refueling the aircraft.
“The new concept we're going to, the whole ACE concept, it’s helping out Air Force wide”, said Clark. “We're starting to see it more, and it's trickling down now to our Airmen and civilians. It’s amazing that everyone’s looking at the big picture.”
The ACE concept comprises five core elements: posture, command and control, movement and maneuver, protection, and sustainment.
The F-35A Lightning II is the Air Force’s primary multi-role fighter aircraft, having replaced the aging F-16 Fighting Falcon and A-10 Thunderbolt II when it entered service in 2016. Adding this certification to Scott’s growing list of refueling capabilities is a vital piece of the ever-changing puzzle of air superiority.
After adding the F-35 A Lightning II, Scott Air Force Base is certified to hot-pit refuel the following aircraft:
● UH-60 Black Hawk
● F-16 Fighting Falcon
● E-A 18G Growler
● E-2D Hawkeye
● CH-47 Chinook
● F-22 Raptor
● F-35A Lightning II
“The addition of F-35s to the list of airframes that Scott AFB is certified to Hot Pit Refuel increases the ability for this base to multiply the effectiveness of joint air power,” said Lt. Col. Elizabeth Brown, 375th Logistics Readiness Squadron commander. “We are strategically located in the middle of the continent and can now effectively increase the legs of almost every type of Air Force, Navy, and Army combat aircraft in the absence of air tanker support to make it from coast to coast as fast as possible.”
Not only do these capabilities benefit the Air Force as a whole, but they also allow Airmen to gain expeditionary skills to carry out duties beyond their primary job.
Scott AFB successfully hot-pit refuels F-35 for the first time,
An F-35A Lightning II takes off after being hot-pit refueled for the first time ever at Scott, on the flightline at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, Jan. 18, 2024. The integration of the F-35A into the refueling operations at Scott AFB reflects the base's role as a critical hub for air mobility and combat support. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class De’Quan Simmons)
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Scott AFB successfully hot-pit refuels F-35 for the first time,
An F-35A Lightning II takes off after being hot-pit refueled for the first time ever at Scott, on the flightline at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, Jan. 18, 2024. The Agile Combat Employment concept emphasizes the ability to rapidly deploy and operate in austere environments, and the F-35A refueling capability enhances this agility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class De’Quan Simmons)
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Scott AFB successfully hot-pit refuels F-35 for the first time,
An F-35A Lightning II takes off after being hot-pit refueled for the first time ever at Scott, on the flightline at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, Jan. 18, 2024. The Agile Combat Employment concept emphasizes the ability to rapidly deploy and operate in austere environments, and the F-35A refueling capability enhances this agility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class De’Quan Simmons)
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Scott AFB successfully hot-pit refuels F-35 for the first time,
A pair of F-35A Lighting IIs taxi for takeoff after being hot-pit refueled for the first time ever at Scott, on the flightline at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, Jan. 18, 2024. The integration of the F-35A into the refueling operations at Scott AFB reflects the base's role as a critical hub for air mobility and combat support. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class De’Quan Simmons)
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Scott AFB successfully hot-pit refuels F-35 for the first time,
An F-35A Lighting II taxis for takeoff after being hot-pit refueled for the first time ever at Scott, on the flightline at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, Jan. 18, 2024. The integration of the F-35A into the refueling operations at Scott AFB reflects the base's role as a critical hub for air mobility and combat support. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class De’Quan Simmons)
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Scott AFB successfully hot-pit refuels F-35 for the first time,
Bill Murphy, 375th Operations Support Squadron transient alert lead aircraft servicer, assists in hot-pit refueling an F-35A Lightning II on Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, Jan. 18, 2024. The addition of the F-35A to the refueling capabilities aligns with the Air Force's ongoing efforts to modernize its fleet and infrastructure. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class De’Quan Simmons)
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Scott AFB successfully hot-pit refuels F-35 for the first time,
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Alexander Santi, 375th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuel distribution technician, hot-pit refuels n F-35A Lightning II on Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, Jan. 18, 2024. Hot-pit refueling reduces aircraft ground time, personnel and equipment support, while also increasing system reliability by eliminating engine shut off and restarts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class De’Quan Simmons)
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Scott AFB successfully hot-pit refuels F-35 for the first time,
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Derek Ayers, 388th Logistics Support Squadron training instructor, trains 375th LRS Airmen and 375th Operations Support Squadron transient alert members on hot-pit refueling the F-35A Lightning II, on Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, Jan. 18, 2024. Adding these capabilities facilitates the Wing’s lines of effort for Scott to be a key East-West Hub, allowing forces to do a quick pit stop before heading to their destinations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class De’Quan Simmons)
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Scott AFB successfully hot-pit refuels F-35 for the first time,
U.S. Air Force Col. John Poole, 375th Air Mobility Wing commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Shawn Andrews, 375th AMW command chief, speak to Airmen during the first-ever hot-pit refueling of F-35A Lightning IIs on Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, Jan. 18, 2024. Scott’s ability to refuel the F-35A contributes to the Air Force's overall combat readiness and power projection capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class De’Quan Simmons)
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Scott AFB successfully hot-pit refuels F-35 for the first time,
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Alexander Santi, 375th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels distribution operator, poses for a photo on the flightline at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, Jan. 18, 2024. Santi assisted in the first-ever hot-pit refueling of F-35A Lightning IIs at Scott, expanding the base’s power projection capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class De’Quan Simmons)
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Scott AFB successfully hot-pit refuels F-35 for the first time,
Keith Winter, 375th Operations Support Squadron transient alert aircraft servicer, marshals in an F-35A Lightning II for hot-pit refueling, on Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, Jan. 18, 2024. The 375th Logistics Readiness Squadron and the 375 OSS teamed up to conduct Scott AFB’s first-ever hot-pit refuelings of F-35A Lightning IIs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class De’Quan Simmons)
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Scott AFB successfully hot-pit refuels F-35 for the first time,
U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Bobbie Clark, 388th Maintenance Group quality assurance inspector, poses for a photo on the flightline at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, Jan. 18, 2024. Clark trained 375th Logistics Readiness Squadron Airmen and 375th Operations Support Squadron transient alert members on hot-pit refueling the F-35A Lightning II. The addition of the F-35A to Scott AFB's refueling capabilities marks a crucial enhancement in the base's operational versatility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class De’Quan Simmons)
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