Gas-n-Go!

An F-15E Strike Eagle waits on the hot pit pads while Airmen from the 4th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and the 4th Logistic Readiness Squadron refuel the jet for a quick-turn sortie on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Nov. 17, 2009. During a mission, a pilot can have the jet refueled multiple times to complete his or her objective. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Rae Perry)

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Gas-n-Go!

Airman 1st Class Johnathan Reedy (front), 4th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron avionics apprentice, removes a fuel cap with the assistance of Senior Airman Phillip Butche, 4th AMXS specialist flight, during a hot pit at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Nov. 17, 2009. Different 4th AMXS crews perform hot pits each week to keep their certifications current. Airman Reedy hails from Portsmouth, Ohio and Airman Butche is from Indianapolis. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Rae Perry)

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Gas-n-Go!

Airman 1st Class Phillip Huston, 4th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron specialist flight, opens an F-15E Strike Eagle fuel door during a hot pit at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Nov. 17, 2009. During a hot pit, it takes 15 minutes to pump 300 gallons of JP-8 Jet Fuel into an F-15E. Airman Huston hails from Salisbury, N.C. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Rae Perry)

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Gas-n-Go!

Airman 1st Class Phillip Huston, 4th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron specialist flight, connects a fuel hose to an F-15E Strike Eagle during a hot pit at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Nov. 17, 2009. A hot pit is when the jet lands and shuts down one engine to refuel for another sortie. Airman Huston hails from Salisbury, N.C. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Rae Perry)

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Gas-n-Go!

Senior Airman Phillip Butche, 4th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron specialist flight, disconnects a communication cable from an F-15 E Strike Eagle after refueling at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Nov. 17, 2009. The communication cable allows the Airmen on the ground to talk to the aircrew during refueling. Airman Butche is from Indianapolis, Ind. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Rae Perry)

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Gas-n-Go!

Published Nov. 19, 2009
By Airman 1st Class Rae Perry
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Normal turnaround time on an F-15 E Strike Eagle is three to four hours after the jet lands and is shut down. However, the Airmen who prepare a jet for flight can safely return it to the sky much quicker when the jet hot pits. Hot Pits are similar to a NASCAR race pit-stop, but for jets. Although it takes less than 30 seconds to get a car back on the track with new tires, fuel and minor adjustments to help the car handle better, it takes close to 15 minutes to get an F-15E back in the air.

Crews consisting of four Airmen take care of a jet while it is being refueled. One Airman marshals the jet to a designated parking area while communicating with the pilot and weapon systems officer. Another Airman chalks the jet so it will not move during refueling. The third Airman connects the communication and grounding cables, while the final Airman connects the fueling hose.

An F-15E can fly up to an hour and a half without refueling. While flying on a mission pilots can have a jet refueled multiple times. This exercise prepares aircraft maintenance Airman for the demand of supporting the F-15E's refueling needs down range.