Impressive Success for Israel Aerospace Industries – Converted Tanker at the 2013 Maple Flag Exercise

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI)-converted tanker was successfully operated by the Colombian Air Force in refuelling the Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 fighter aircraft as part of the 2013 Maple Flag advanced aerial combat training exercise.

Designated to provide training for the Canadian Forces, Maple Flag is considered to be one of the largest exercises of its kind in the world, and brings together select allied air forces from around the globe. The exercise was held in June at the Cold Lake, Alberta, Canada base, and included fighter, bomber, aerial refuelling, transport, air defence, AWACS, SEAD, and electronic warfare crews. The Colombian Air Force participated in Maple Flag with various aircraft, including KC-767 MMTT (multi-mission tanker transport), which had been supplied by IAI several years ago.

During the exercise, CF-18s Hornets from 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron topped up their fuel tanks from a KC-767 Colombian Air Force tanker. “It was a very moving experience for the whole crew and the observing personnel onboard since it is the first time that we have had such a close encounter with an aircraft from another country. The F-18 is a very modern combat aircraft, of very high performance. We both meet NATO standards and the mission was a complete success,” said Colonel Carlos Silva, Colombian KC-767 pilot after the first refuelling mission of Canadian F-18s.

“This year’s exercise was a great success, having met the training objectives of our participating nations and joint Canadian armed forces participants simultaneously. Every year we see and meet new challenges and that is one of most rewarding parts of hosting such an exercise,” said Colonel Patrice Laroche, Commander of 4 Wing.

“The Colombian team would not be complete without ‘the tanker’,” said Colonel Maria Cecilia Silva Velasquez of the Colombian Air Force. “Ours is a modified Boeing 767-200ER as a multi-mission tanker transport which, among its multiple capabilities, performs air-to-air refuelling with the Kfir [a fighter aircraft] and A-37B [light attack] aircraft. This kind of procedure allows aircraft to considerably extend their range and/or endurance requirements for a given situation to support any allied country with one objective: to protect friendly forces and get the mission accomplished.”

General Tito Saul Pinilla Pinilla, Colombian Air Force Commander, added: “We are proud that NATO has certified the Colombian Air Force to refuel NATO members’ aircraft and reiterated the high level of skill demonstrated by FAC in Maple Flag accomplishing missions as allies of this organization.”

Earlier this year, IAI was selected by the Brazilian Air Force to execute a large-scale air refuelling project for several Boeing 767-300 aircraft. Joseph Weiss, IAI’s President and CEO said: “With 30 years of experience in air-to-air refuelling solutions, IAI is considered to be a world leader in this realm. We are proud that IAI’s capabilities were demonstrated in this prestigious aerial exercise to the benefit of our customers.”

IAI’s MMTT programme’s highlights include conversion of pre-owned B767 A/C with outstanding performance, high dispatch reliability and enhanced mission flexibility. The advanced mission equipment includes fly-bywire boom, 3D viewing system, remote aerial refuelling operator station and upgraded military avionics.