The Project Magellan crew exits a KC-46A at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., July 1, 2024. The aircraft executed the world’s first nonstop, KC-46A Pegasus westbound circumnavigation endurance flight, called Project Magellan. (Paula Arce/U.S. Air Force)
An Air Force 22nd Air Refueling Wing Boeing KC-46A Pegasus flew the world’s first westbound global circumnavigation using the aircraft, starting Saturday and ending Monday. The flight began and ended at McConnell Air Force Base in Kansas.
The KC-46A is the Air Mobility Command’s newest tanker aircraft, designed to carry fuel and refuel other aircraft. It can carry a large amount of fuel, supplies and personnel across the world as fast as possible, according to a service news release.
The plane took off and traveled west, over the Pacific Ocean, Asia, Europe and the Atlantic Ocean before returning to the U.S in 43 hours. It stayed in the air throughout, aided by in-air refueling from other KC-46 aircraft. It also refueled other planes, including B-2 Spirit bombers, C-17 Globemaster III airlifters, F-15E Strike Eagles and another KC-46 tanker.
The operation was conducted as a Maximum Endurance Operation, which is “all about overcoming the tyranny of distance. With a 48-hour day, you can literally fly across the world,” said Capt. Cody Donahue, 22nd Operations group executive officer.
Project Magellan crew members pose in front of a KC-46A at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., July 1, 2024. The aircraft executed the world’s first nonstop, KC-46A Pegasus westbound circumnavigation endurance flight, called Project Magellan. (Paula Arce/U.S. Air Force)
A KC-46A Pegasus lands on the flight line at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., July 1, 2024. The aircraft executed the world’s first nonstop, KC-46A Pegasus westbound circumnavigation endurance flight, called Project Magellan. (Paula Arce/U.S. Air Force)
The KC-46A aircraft that successfully circumnavigated the world without stopping is refueled by a 350th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135R Stratotanker over the United Kingdom on July 1, 2024. The KC-46A completed the trip around the world in 43 hours. (Gavin Hameed/U.S. Air Force)
The operation was completed with help from refueling aircraft that took off from Andersen Air Force Base in Guam and RAF Mildenhall in the United Kingdom.
Four pilots operated the round-the-world flight — Col. Brenth Toth, Capt. Cody Donahue, Capt. Daison Batangan and Capt. T.J. Buckley — alongside two boom operators (responsible for facilitating in-air refueling), Master Sgt. Patrick Murray and Capt. Jacob Heyrend. They took turns working and sleeping on bunk beds. Also aboard: Capt. Jacob Heyrend, flight surgeon; Staff Sgt. Alejandro Melendez, flying crew chief; and Staff Sgt Dustin Shaffer, flying crew chief.
“This mission was a true test of our capabilities and a shining example of the critical role our tankers play in providing fuel and support to the Joint Force. I’m incredibly proud of our team’s achievement in pushing the boundaries of what our tankers and their crews can do,” said Col. Cory Damon, 22nd Air Refueling Wing commander.
