Can a tanker aircraft refuel itself in flight?

[JonnyBoy12]

I would really like to know the ins and outs of tanker aircraft. Do they need a boom operator or can this refueling be done by the pilot or co-pilot? Are they a number of fuel tanks in this plane or just the one? If this plane is on a really long journey then can it refuel itself, or can you just connect the internal tanks to the main ones in the wings?

Thanks in advance for your ever speedy and helpful replies.

[Buenchico]

Wikipedia is a good place to start:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerial_refueling

[alexanderd]

First of all a tanker can not refuel itself in flight but it can transfer fuel around the various fuel tanks The refuelling hose is trailed out by the refuelling aircraft and the following aircraft then has to line up and engage its probe in the centre of the drogue. Once slotted home the first aircraft starts the transfer of fuel till the second aircraft has sufficient. Transfer is stopped and the aircraft disengage