Hydraulic Airmen maintain KC-46 boom

Airmen assigned to the 22nd Maintenance Squadron maintain a KC-46A Pegasus boom March 13, 2021, at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. Hydraulics Airmen removed the interior telescoping tube to replace a boom surge boot, which acts as a shock absorber while attached to a receiver aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alan Ricker)

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Hydraulic Airmen maintain KC-46 boom

Staff Sgt. Kris McKee, 22nd Maintenance Squadron hydraulics craftsman, lines the interior of a KC-46A Pegasus telescoping tube with an O-ring March 13, 2021, at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. The O-ring provides a seal around the telescoping tube, ensuring the fuel is properly distributed to the receiving aircraft when connected. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alan Ricker)

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Hydraulic Airmen maintain KC-46 boom

Staff Sgt. Jacob Buffum, 22nd Maintenance Squadron hydraulics craftsman, Staff Sgt. Hannah Petersen, 931st Maintenance Squadron hydraulic craftsman and Senior Airman Jesse Jones, 22nd MXS hydraulic journeyman, remove a KC-46A Pegasus surge boot from a telescoping tube March 13, 2021, at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. Surge boots are rubber-like sleeves that run the fuel tube’s length, used as a way to prevent damage during fuel surges when the boom disconnects from the aircraft after refueling. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alan Ricker)

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Hydraulic Airmen maintain KC-46 boom

Staff Sgt. Hannah Petersen, 931st Maintenance Squadron hydraulics craftsman, removes a bolt from a KC-46A Pegasus telescoping tube March 13, 2021, at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. The surge boot, housed inside the telescoping tube, was replaced to ensure damage does not occur while disconnecting from a receiving aircraft during aerial refueling. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alan Ricker)

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Hydraulic Airmen maintain KC-46 boom

Published March 22, 2021
By Senior Airman Alan Ricker
22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- Airmen assigned to the 22nd Maintenance Squadron maintain a KC-46A Pegasus boom March 13, 2021, at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. Hydraulics Airmen removed the interior telescoping tube to replace a boom surge boot, which acts as a shock absorber while attached to a receiver aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alan Ricker)