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Maj. William Li flew his first CH-53K Helicopter Air-to-Air Refueling (HAAR) test flight in December as the aircraft received fuel from a KC-130T. HAAR is crucial for sustaining operations and maintaining a forward presence. The KC-130T recently transitioned from four-bladed propellers to eight-bladed propellers, requiring flight testing for suitability with the CH-53E/K as a receiver. “Air-to-air refueling can be challenging under less-than-ideal conditions and is a critical core skill to develop,” said Li. “The CH-53K’s flying qualities put our best foot forward, offering increased performance with reduced pilot workload.” So NAVAIR informs us. The Marine Corps has a unique integrated air team to support the Marines operating in combined arms operations. The CH-53K is a major new contributor to the Marine Corps combined arms capability but being able...