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RAF Atlas C1 Transport aircraft refuelled over the South Atlantic for first time

The Air-to-Air Tanking operation was conducted from a RAF (Royal Air Force) Voyager aircraft flying from the Falklands Islands. The Atlas was flown from RAF Brize Norton to the Ascension Island, before then flying on to the Falklands. During the flight the transport aircraft was met by a RAF Voyager over the South Atlantic, that had earlier taken off from Mount Pleasant Complex, the principal military base on the Falkland Islands.

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Air-to-Air refuelling is one of the most difficult manoeuvres that pilots carry out and requires intense concentration from both the crews. The operation requires the pilot of the receiving aircraft to maintain close formation with the tanker aircraft for the duration of the activity while fuel is transferred by the Mission Systems Operator, flying in the Voyager  (Picture source: RAF)

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