101 Squadron Delivering Gas
'Spring Flag 2007'
May 7-27, 2007

The deployment of the VC-10 had been planned a month earlier to supplement the Aeronautica Militare Italiana's own Boeing 707-373C air refuelling tankers of 14° Stormo, which were operating out of Pratica di Mare. Also a United States Air Force KC-135R Stratotanker of 100ARW from RAF Mildenhall was also on call from Trapani air base in Sicily. The VC-10's deployment was made on behalf of the still developing 'European Airlift Command' (EAC). This is where EAC members share resources for greater efficiency. By gaining hours or credit for missions undertaken, member states can cash in their credits to take advantage of another state's assets as and when required.

Following an Air-to-Air Refuelling (AAR) mission earlier in the day Flt. Lt. Paul Summers (Captain) and Flt. Lt. Phil Hird (Co-pilot) flew with their crew to Sardinia on Tuesday May 22. Accompanying the two pilots were, a navigator, flight engineer and load master. To keep the aircraft serviceable in the charge of the Engineering Executive were; a ground engineer and four other engineers. A package of spares, such as radios and engine parts, essential to keep the aircraft operational, were carried in the hold.

The first AAR mission for the VC-10 was scheduled for May 24, day four of 'Spring Flag'. This was to be a short mission, to dispense 9,000 Kgs of Jet-A fuel to two AMI Tornado and two AMX. Ready to go and just seconds before taxiing, the Air Traffic Controller announced, "your mission has been cancelled". With the poor sea state and high crosswinds, it was deemed too hazardous to continue with the afternoon's missions and flying was suspended. Last year at 'Spring Flag' two AMI F-16's collided and both pilots who were forced to eject, were rescued from the sea.

On day five, and for the last of its daylight missions, the VC-10 (call sign 'Exxon 20') was loaded up with additional fuel for the scheduled four hour sortie. We were in position at 17,000 feet (5,182m) just 30 minutes after take-off, in Air-to-Air Refuelling Area (AARA) known as 'Sardo' which is north east of Sardinia. The refuelling 'trade' were two pairs (call signs 'Legion' and 'Felix') of Tornado IDS of 6° from Ghedi and 36° Stormo from Gioia del Colle. The Tornado's were flying with two 51° Stormo AMX (call sign 'Phoenix') on a mission to attack Trapani air base on Sicily. All six aircraft arrived in a short space of time, but were soon topped up with gas and on their way to the target.

The RAF celebrated 40 years of service of the VC-10 in July 2006. 101 Squadron is now the only squadron operating the VC-10, since 10 Squadron disbanded in October 2005. 101 Squadron has ten of the C.1K version, which had previously been operating with 10 Squadron. They also have four K.3 and two K.4 variants still in service. The VC-10's operate alongside 216 Squadron with their Lockheed Tristars. To commemorate the 40^th anniversary in July 2006, VC-10 C.1K (XV104) was painted with a special red tail and inscribed '40 Years of RAF Service 1966-2006'. This was the actual aircraft deployed to 'Spring Flag' but has since gone through a major service and has been totally repainted in a standard RAF dark grey scheme.

The C.1's were delivered to 10 Squadron from July 1966 to August 1968 to fulfil the role of transporting military personnel and VIP's to locations around the world. They can also perform Aero-medical Evacuation duties as and when required, and then carry up to 76 stretchers with six medical attendants. In addition to the crew of four, the C.1 can carry 150 passengers with six medical attendants. It has an unrefuelled range of over 3,600 miles (5793 Km). The VC-10 has an impressive maximum level speed of Mach 0.86 and a maximum cruising speed of 568 mph (914 kph).

From 1991 to 1996 Flight Refuelling converted the C.1's to C.1K standard to enable them to air to air refuel. Two Mk.32 wing mounted refuelling pods with an under fuselage CCTV camera, were the principal modifications carried out. Without any extra fuel tanks installed, the aircraft continued to have the same capabilities as before but only air to air refuelled when transporting passengers over long distances.