 The boom operator also controls the refueling "drogue", a basket attached to a flexible hose that trails the tanker, when using the probe-and-drogue system.The USAF officially designates the boom operator career field as "In-Flight Refueling" with a specialty code of 1A0X1.However, this designation is usually reserved for administrative paperwork such as enlistment contracts and performance reports, as boom operators themselves are rarely referred to as in-flight refueling specialists within the USAF.