A New Aviation Spectacle Takes Off: Debut Flight of the KC-46 Demo Team

A New Aviation Spectacle Takes Off: Debut Flight of the KC-46 Demo Team

David Roza, Let's Talk KC-46 PegasusThe aviation world is buzzing about a fresh addition to air shows: the inaugural showing of the KC-46 Pegasus demo team at a Texas airshow last week. This marks another groundbreaking moment for the Air Force's new aerial refueling tanker.

The team hit the stage at the Wings and Warriors Fly-In in San Marcos, Texas on Nov. 9, according to a Nov. 14 press release from the 97th Air Mobility Wing at Altus Air Force Base, Okla., who oversee the demo team at the 56th Air Refueling Squadron.

During the event, the team unleashed a high-speed pass at a mere 500 feet with the refueling boom extended, followed by a pass with the gear and flaps down. Maj. Gary Sowa, 97th Operations Group KC-46 demo team lead, commented, "The team showcased the KC-46's air refueling and slow-speed maneuvering capabilities, giving spectators a glimpse into the aircraft's versatility."

Airshows usually see a splash thanks to the agility and fancy maneuvers of fast-jet teams like the Thunderbirds and the F-22 demo team. But the "heavies," or larger aircraft like transports and tankers, are no less fascinating for their size and grace. For instance, the 140-ton C-17 transport wows crowds by taking off and landing with just a few thousand feet of runway. Tankers mimic their refueling mission by extending their boom as another aircraft trails behind.

Sadly, air show enthusiasts might need to wait a while to catch the KC-46 team's next performance. The 97th AMW Public Affairs office shared with Air & Space Forces Magazine that the team won't take to the skies for any more shows in 2024 and hasn't announced its full 2025 schedule yet, but plans to perform at the Altus Airpower Stampede Open House & Air Show on April 12-13, 2025. Once the complete 2025 lineup is finalized, it will be published on the wing's Facebook page.

Navigating a tanker is a team endeavor, and the KC-46 demo team boasts 13 total aircrew members – seven pilots and six boom operators – trained to fly the demo. The typical crew during a demo consists of two pilots, one boom operator, and one pilot serving as safety observer, totaling four aircrew members. The team is led by Tech Sgt. Lacy Pickett, a boom operator, who shared, "Being part of this demo team is very meaningful, especially as a woman in this field. We're showing the public how far we've come in the KC-46 community and proving just what we're capable of."

Each Air Force unit has its own unique shoulder patch, and the KC-46 demo team sports a fascinating take on the 56th Aerial Refueling Squadron's emblem. It features a bird donning a graduation cap watching over another bird without one, symbolizing the squadron's mission as a training squadron. The demo team's patch incorporates a silhouette of a KC-46 with its boom extended, "KC-46A Pegasus" across the top, and "97 AMW Demo Team" at the bottom.

For the debut last week, a special tail was donned. It showcased a black-and-white triangle symbol known as the Triangle Y, the marking assigned to the 97th AMW's predecessor, the 97th Bombardment Group, during World War II. Each jet at the 97 AMW (C-17s, KC-135s, and KC-46s) exhibits the Triangle Y symbol on the tail in tribute to the wing's rich history. According to the wing's public affairs office, "There is not a jet permanently assigned to the demo team, but the team coordinates with the 97th Maintenance Group to fly the KC-46 with the Triangle Y tail flash when it is available."

Last week's show marked yet another first for the KC-46. Airmen from the New Jersey-based 305th Air Mobility Wing flew the tanker to the Middle East late last month for its first-ever operational deployment, even though the tanker had flown one-off operational sorties previously. The first KC-46 was delivered to the Air Force in 2019, and Air Mobility Command cleared it for worldwide deployments and combatant commander taskings in September 2022. With the KC-135 tanker already sporting a demo team, the Pegasus is set to demonstrate the future of Air Force aerial refueling.

"With each demo flight," Sowa says, "we're not just showing what the KC-46 can do. We're reshaping its story, growing as a team, and inspiring future Airmen."

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2025 Schedule Highlights

• May 21, 2025: The USAF KC-46 Pegasus Demo Team will make its debut at the Abbotsford International Airshow in Canada[2].
• June 9, 2025: The KC-46 Pegasus is featured in an airshow in New Jersey, though specifics on the demo team's performance are not available[1].
• September 5-6, 2025: The KC-46 Pegasus will be part of the Wildwoods Thunder Over The Waves airshow in New Jersey[1].

Beyond 2025

No specific schedules for the KC-46 Pegasus Demo Team beyond 2025 are publicly available. However, the USAF continues to integrate the KC-46 into its operations, with ongoing deliveries to various countries, including Japan, which is expected to receive additional KC-46As in the coming years[5].

For the most updated and detailed schedules, it is advisable to check with official airshow organizers or the USAF's official communications channels, as they may release further information on upcoming events.

1. The KC-46 Pegasus demo team, part of the Air Force's new aerial refueling tanker, presented a demonstration of its capabilities at the industry of aviation finance and sports, showcasing air refueling and slow-speed maneuvering at air shows.
2. With the debut of the KC-46 Pegasus demo team, the Air Force's air force and space force are expanding their presence in the aerospace industry, enhancing their range of aircraft, including the KC-46 Pegasus and the KC-135 tanker.
3. The KC-46 Pegasus demo team's performance at air shows could potentially attract interest from the sports industry, given the team's impressive maneuvers and the versatility of the KC-46 aircraft.
4. The Air Force's space force and air force are investing in advanced weapons and technologies to improve their aircraft, such as the KC-46 Pegasus, which is designed for aerospace applications and air refueling missions.
5. The KC-46 Pegasus demo team, consisting of trained pilots and boom operators, is set to perform at various air shows in the future, including events in Canada, New Jersey, and elsewhere, showcasing the aircraft's capabilities and inspiring future generations of Air Force aviators in the realm of both air sports and aerospace exploration.

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