White knuckles to the azores

The efforts of the crew of one of the KC-10 refuelers were honored with the Mackay Trophy for the year's most meritorious military flight. The crew was involved in carrying out aerial refueling ujnder difficult circumstances along with eight Marine Corps A-4 Skyhawk fighters. The operation began as a routine fighter drag, with the Air Force's Extenders providing the navigation and fuel for fighters to cross from the US East Coast to Lajes Field, Portugal, on the Azores. Good weather or its alternative, extra gas, was key to getting to the Azores. Mission planners had gassed up the tankers with what was assumed to be more than enough fuel to get the fighters to Lajes and allow for contingencies, but the KC-10s were not flying with full tanks as it cost gas to carry gas.