Air Force Tankers Provide In-Flight Refueling To Extend CVW 11
Missions Over Afghanistan
when Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 aircraft assigned to the USS
Nimitz (CVN 68) leave the flight deck from hundreds of miles away
to support troops on the ground in Afghanistan, the Air Force
KC-10A Extender is an airborne gas station capable of delivering
350,000 pounds of fuel per mission to U.S. and coalition
aircraft.
"We work very well with our coalition partners both in the air,
U.S. Air Force and other coalition air forces from the region, and
with the troops on the ground," said Rear Adm. John W. Miller,
commander, Nimitz Carrier Strike Group/Carrier Strike Group 11, "We
are all on the same team and we are all trying to accomplish the
same mission."
CVW 11 aviators work with Army air controllers on the ground and
Air Force assets in the sky to provide joint precision support to
counter insurgency operations. "Without the ability to utilize
joint tanker operations we would be unable to provide the
continuous un-interrupted support of ground forces in Afghanistan,"
said Lt. Tommy Kolwicz, assistant operations officer for Strike
Fighter Squadron (VFA) 97.
Since entering the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Operations September
18th, CVW 11 has flown more than 1,800 sorties and totaled more
than 10,000 cumulative flight hours in support of OEF. Nimitz
provides 30 percent of the close air support to the coalition force
in Afghanistan.
Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is comprised of Nimitz, embarked CVW
11, embarked Destroyer Squadron 23, and the Ticonderoga-class
cruiser USS Chosin. Ships assigned to Destroyer Squadron 23 include
the destroyers USS Pinckney, USS Sampson and the frigate USS
Rentz.
Squadrons from CVW 11 include the "Black Aces" of Strike Fighter
Squadron 41, the "Tophatters" of VFA 14, the "Warhawks" of VFA 97,
the "Sidewinders" of VFA 86, the "Indians" of Helicopter
Anti-Submarine Squadron 6, the "Black Ravens" of Electronic Attack
Squadron 135, the "Providers" of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron
30 and the "Wallbangers" of Carrier Airborne Command and Control
Squadron 117.
Helicopter detachments include the "Easy Riders" of Helicopter
Anti-submarine Squadron Light 37, the "Battle Cats" of HSL 43, the
"Wolfpack" of HSL 45, the "Scorpions" of HSL 49 and the "Wildcards"
of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 23. Also accompanying the Nimitz
CSG are Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 11 and the USNS
Bridge.