One bird, two stones

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan (AFNS) -- Airmen from the 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron and the South Korean air force simultaneously trained for separate missions over the Pacific Ocean Sept. 12 and were assisted by a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker from Kadena Air Base.

A 909th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 provided fuel for South Korean F-15 fighter pilot training sorties and doubled as the training environment for medical aircrews from the 18th AES, who performed a flight check of various patient care procedures inside the cargo cabin of the KC-135.

“By conducting multiple missions at the same time, it maximizes the utilization of limited resources,” said Lt. Col. Tom Wilson, the 18th AES chief nurse.

South Korean F-15s called upon refueling support from the 909th ARS to help them improve nighttime flying skills.

“The South Korean fighters are looking for training for a long-distance flight using tanker support to get them ready and prepared for that journey,” said Maj. Jacob Johnson, a 909th ARS instructor pilot. “This builds their confidence and proves their capability to do that.”