9-2-13. MILITARY AERIAL REFUELING

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  • 9-2-13. MILITARY AERIAL REFUELING

    Authorize aircraft to conduct aerial refueling along published or special tracks at their flight plan altitudes, unless otherwise requested.

    • PHRASEOLOGY
    • CLEARED TO CONDUCT REFUELING ALONG (number) TRACK,
    • or
    • FROM (fix) TO (fix),
    • and
    • MAINTAIN BLOCK (altitude) THROUGH (altitude),
    • or
    • MAINTAIN (altitude),
    • or
    • COMMENCING AT (altitude), DESCENDING TO (altitude).
    • NOTE:
    • 1. During aerial refueling, tanker aircraft are responsible for receiver aircraft communication with ATC and for their navigation along the track.
    • 2. Aerial refueling airspace is not sterilized airspace and other aircraft may transit this airspace provided vertical or lateral separation is provided from refueling aircraft.
    • 3. MARSA begins between the tanker and receiver when the tanker and receiver(s) have entered the air refueling airspace and the tanker advises ATC that he/she is accepting MARSA.
    • 4. MARSA ends between the tanker and receiver when the tanker advises ATC that the tanker and receiver aircraft are vertically positioned within the air refueling airspace and ATC advises MARSA is terminated.
    1. Provide radar assistance to the rendezvous for participating aircraft:
      1. When requested, and
      2. By providing vertical separation prior to MARSA declaration.
    2. Do not request receiver aircraft that have been cleared to conduct air refueling and have departed the ARIP to:
      1. Make code changes when less than 5 miles from the tanker.
      2. Squawk standby when less than 1 mile or more than 3 miles from the tanker.

      NOTE: Requests for receiver aircraft to make code changes during air refueling diverts the receiver pilot's attention during a critical phase of flight.

    3. When issuing an initial air refueling clearance, you may request a receiver to squawk standby when the receiver reaches a point 3 miles from the tanker.
      1. NOTE:
      2. 1. Receiver aircraft will squawk normal when separation from the tanker is greater than 3 miles.
      3. 2. Once rendezvous is completed, heading and altitude assignments may be made with the tanker concurrence with MARSA remaining in effect.
      4. 3. Upon rendezvous completion, the tanker must keep receiver aircraft within 3 miles of the tanker until MARSA is terminated.
    4. After MARSA has been declared, you should avoid issuing course or altitude changes prior to rendezvous.

      NOTE: Altitude or course changes issued will automatically void MARSA.

    5. Do not use the altitude vacated during the refueling operation until the refueling aircraft has reported reaching the next IFR altitude.
    6. Approve requests by the tanker pilot for vectors or alternative routes or altitudes as follows:
      1. Furnish vectors or alternative altitudes at any time.
      2. Furnish nonradar routes only after the refueling aircraft have passed the ARCP.
      • NOTE:
      • 1. To meet a training requirement that aerial refueling be accomplished in a nonradar environment, the military has requested that vectors be furnished only upon request.
      • 2. The tanker commander is responsible for coordinating all inflight requests with other aircraft in the refueling mission before submission of such requests to the center.
      • 3. Normally, aircraft conducting aerial refueling operations will utilize at least three consecutive altitudes.
    7. Unless a vector or alternative route has been furnished, clear the aircraft to depart the refueling track at a navigational reference point or egress fix.
    8. Request an aircraft to report the ARIP, ARCP, or egress fix as necessary.
      • PHRASEOLOGY
      • REPORT: A-R-I-P,
      • or A-R-C-P,
      • or
      • EGRESS FIX.
    9. Expect the following procedures in addition to those required by the appropriate parts of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations in the event of two-way communications failure:
      1. The tanker will depart the track from the highest altitude in the block.
      2. The receiver will depart the track from the lowest altitude in the block.
      3. Aircraft will squawk 7600 for at least 2 minutes prior to departing the track.
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