FARMINGTON—There was something unusual flying over Lagoon on Tuesday and it wasn’t a ride, it was an air refueller. The flyover was part of a celebration honoring 100 years of aerial refueling. Flyovers took place from Logan to Park City, with the large plane refueling two small planes in the air. 

“Air refueling propels our Nation’s air power across the skies, unleashing its full potential,” Gen. Mike Minihan, Air Mobility Command commander said. “It connects our strategic vision with operational reality, ensuring we can reach any corner of the globe with unwavering speed and precision. Air refueling embodies our resolve to defend freedom and project power, leaving an indelible mark on aviation history.”

On June 27, 1923, U.S. Army Air Service aviators pulled off the impossible when 1st Lt. Virgil Hine and 1st Lt. Frank W. Seifert, flying a DH-4B, passed gasoline through a hose to another DH-4B flying beneath it carrying Capt. Lowell H. Smith and 1st Lt. John P. Richter, completing the first aerial refueling, according to information provided.

The United States Air Force celebrates these Airmen 100 years later.

“Today’s display serves as evidence of how much we’ve advanced in aviation technology and techniques,” said Capt. Nathan Cragun, Tanker Pilot. “While the first in-flight air refueling occurred 100 years ago today (June 27) our ability to perform this maneuver has been perfected.”

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