Operation Centennial Contact

The boom of a KC-135R Stratotanker assigned to the 434th Air Refueling Wing flys over a river during Operation Centennial Contact, June 27, 2023. The 434th ARW celebrated the centennial anniversary of aerial refueling by flying over cities and landmarks across various states including Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexis M. Morris)

Operation Centennial Contact

A KC-135R Stratotanker assigned to the 434th Air Refueling Wing flies over the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Ind., as part of Operation Centennial Contact, June 27, 2023. Airmen assigned to Grissom Air Reserve Base flew over the landmark as part of a nationwide aerial refueling demonstration that commemorated the 100th anniversary of in-flight refueling. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexis M. Morris)

Operation Centennial Contact

Staff Sgt. Brandon Reiber, 74th Air Refueling Squadron boom operator, lowers the boom on a KC-135R Stratotanker assigned to Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind., during Operation Centennial Contact, June 27, 2023. Operation Centennial Contact was conducted in conjunction with dozens of units across the U.S. Air Force to commemorate a century of aerial refueling capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexis M. Morris)

Operation Centennial Contact

A KC-135R Stratotanker assigned to Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind., flies through thick smoke during Operation Centennial Contact, June 27, 2023. The operation was intended to display aerial refueling capabilities in a nationwide celebration but was complicated in parts of the midwest by smog from ongoing Canadian wildfires. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexis M. Morris)

Operation Centennial Contact: 100 Years of Aerial Refueling

Published July 6, 2023
By Senior Airman Alexis Morris
434th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. --

Aviators from Grissom helped fuel Operation Centennial Contact, a nation-wide series of historic flights aimed at commemorating the hundredth anniversary of aerial refueling. The KC-135R Stratotanker, assigned to Grissom, took to the skies on June 27, 2023 and soared over multiple states including Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio.

The flight, organized and conducted by the 74th Air Refueling Squadron, marked a significant milestone in the advancement of aerial refueling capabilities. Operation Centennial Contact celebrated a century of progress, highlighting the critical role played by mid-air refueling in extending the operational range and endurance of military aircraft.

“As we embark on the next 100 years of air refueling, we will continue to strengthen our air mobility excellence,” said Gen. Mike Minihan, Air Mobility Command commander. “We must leverage the remarkable capabilities of air refueling to preserve peace, protect freedom, and bring hope to the world.”

Aerial refueling was first demonstrated by the United States Army Air Service on June 27, 1923 when a De Haviland DH-4B passed 75 gallons of gasoline through a hose to another DH-4B flying beneath it. Now, a century later, this capability has been significantly refined and become essential for strategic and tactical operations, as well as humanitarian relief efforts, and is conducted daily by various U.S. Air Force aircraft including the KC-135, KC-10, and KC-46.

Despite the excitement surrounding this commemorative display, the Grissom-operated flight was not without challenges. Upon takeoff, the aircraft encountered a significant limitation – a thick layer of smoke and haze blanketing the skies. The obstruction was the result of ongoing wildfires in Canada and significantly impeded visibility for both crew members and spectators.

While visibility may not have been perfect Capt. Ryan Maroney, 74^th Aerial Refueling Squadron pilot, embraced the significance of having the sticks for such a historic flight.

“Although our fly over was in some ways impacted by smoke from the ongoing wildfires in Canada, our crew and the entire 434^th team were extremely proud to participate in celebrating 100 years of air refueling.”