Longest unrefuelled trip (Chinook Mk1) into Iraq that I went on during GW1 was 7+ hours - 3 internal tanks at 2400kg each plus a complete top-off of the main tanks just prior to departure. Enjoyed watching the HH53 who was leading (light conditions too poor to rely on NVG alone, so he sparingly used TFR) peel off after we crossed back into Saudi and plug into the KC130 at low level; very professional bunch of people all round
. As for the folk we were looking for - you could write a book about that (some people already have)
.