Engine Out Refueling: An Experience in the Tanker World of the Vietnam Conflict

It was late May 1967 over northern Thailand. Our tankers had launched from U-Tapao and had performed a top-off refueling of fighters headed into North Vietnam. Then, we orbited in place to provide post-strike refueling for those same fighters returning to home base. It was always sad for us tanker troops when the number of returning fighters was lower than the number we had refueled inbound to their targets in bad guy country.

This day was a bit unusual. “Red Crown” the controlling ground-based radar station, asked several of us tankers to orbit in place for a possible emergency refueling after we had completed the post-strike refueling. It was part of the Young Tiger mission, and our KC-135 tankers and crews had come from a variety of SAC bases in the ZI (Zone of Interior) for a temporary duty assignment (TDY) of only 60 days.

No matter. Our crew, from Clinton-Sherman AFB, Oklahoma, joined up with one other crew from our squadron, commanded by Major Al Lewis. After a short wait, we heard a voice from a pair of F-105s demanding a tanker because they were well below bingo fuel. We later learned that the pilot in distress was Colonel Jack Broughton, commander of the 355th Fighter Wing at Takhli AFB, located north of Bangkok, Thailand.

Air Refueling in Southeast Asia: Tankers were essential in allowing heavy fighter-bombers to reach North Vietnamese targets and return. (U.S. Air Force photo) PHOTO BY: Unknown VIRIN: 110330-F-DW547-026

Al Lewis peeled off, went full power, and headed for the pair of F-105s, using his ADF homing indicator for steering. He contacted Broughten, who immediately yelled at Red Crown to shut up as he was already in radio contact with his tanker.

My aircraft commander (AC), John Casteel, followed our squadron mate, Lewis, but he was a little slow applying power and fell about ten miles behind. At that time, my eyesight was 20/15 in both eyes, and I spotted Lewis rolling into a turn. About 15 miles out, I saw the flight of two Thuds. Excited, I kept yelling at AC John to join on Al Lewis' wing, but we were still lagging about five miles back.

Broughton sent his wingman, Wabash Two, in to refuel first since flying in the wing position causes a slightly higher rate of fuel consumption than flying lead. We observed the F-105 slide into refueling position behind Lewis’ tanker when suddenly the Thud pilot exclaimed that he had flamed out and hollered, "Dive! Dive! Dive!" Lewis immediately nosed his KC-135 over, throttles at idle, and accelerated to red-line speed—352 knots IAS. The F-105 behind him floated up, back into refueling position, and the boom operator made the connection and started pumping fuel. That pilot managed to get a relight (restarted his engine) and continued his refueling hookup while Lewis leveled off his tanker.

Air Refueling in Southeast Asia: Even long-range bombers like the B-52 needed refueling to reach their targets and return to base on far-off Guam. Bombing operations such as ARC LIGHT and LINEBACKER depended heavily on air refueling. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Broughton remained close on the wing of Lewis’ tanker the entire time, despite my suggestion that he execute a tight 360-degree turn to come in behind us. He had a savior tanker in sight, and there was no way he was going to maneuver away with a 360 when he couldn’t turn his head enough to see us.

His wingman took 1,000 pounds of fuel, slipped over to the left wing, and Broughton slid in and downloaded enough fuel to make it home to Takhli. Then the wingman flew back in position to take on another 2,000 pounds and the pair headed for Takhli. Lewis also was below Bingo fuel, so he diverted to Takhli to take on enough JP-4 to return to U-Tapao.

All in a day’s work for us Tanker Toads on Young Tiger TDY.

I actually saw and heard it happen!

For Colonel Jack Broughton’s version of the incident, refer to page 190 of his book Thud Ridge (paperback, copyright 1969). His wingman, Wes Blank, also wrote a version of his engine-out refueling, but I haven’t been able to locate it at the moment.

Dick "Dusty" Trail, USAFA Class of '59

HISTORY: KC-135

The Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker is a military aerial refueling and transport aircraft from the United States manufactured by Boeing. The KC-135 replaced the propeller-powered KC-97 tankers, which could no longer keep up with the jet fighters and bombers. The KC-135 has taken up various jobs over the years, including acting as a command post and a reconnaissance aircraft. The maiden flight of the KC-135 Stratotanker took place August 31,1956 and it went into service June of 1957.

For those desiring to learn more about the KC-135 Refueler, enjoy this archived USAF Documentary video posted by Fast Aviation Data's YouTube Channel.