Rare video showsUSAF B-52 strategic bomber refueling From French Air ForceC-135FR tanker

INTERESTING VIDEO SHOWS USAF B-52 STRATEGIC BOMBER REFUELING FROM FRENCH AIR FORCE C-135FR TANKER

By Dario Leone
Oct 3 2017
Share this article

Seeing a B-52 refueling from a French Air Force C-135FR is quite a rare sight given that BUFFs typically refuel from USAF KC-135 and KC-10 tankers

Rare video showsUSAF B-52 strategic bomber refueling From French Air ForceC-135FR tanker

Taken on Sep. 25, 2017 the interesting video in this post feature a U.S. Air Force (USAF) B-52H Stratofortress preparing for take-off at Royal Air Force (RAF) Fairford, England and then performing air-to-air refueling with a C-135FR from Armée de l’Air (French Air Force) belonging to Groupe de Ravitaillement en Vol 2/91 “Bretagne” from Istres.

Noteworthy BUFFs from the 2nd Bomber Wing (BW) at Barksdale Air Force Base (AFB), La., are deployed to RAF Fairford for a 3 week deployment supporting bomber assurance and deterrence operations.

B-52H Print
This print is available in multiple sizes from AircraftProfilePrints.com – CLICK HERE TO GET YOURS. B-52H Stratofortress 2nd BW, 20th BS, LA/60-0008 “Lucky Lady IV”.
Rare video showsUSAF B-52 strategic bomber refueling From French Air ForceC-135FR tanker

Although USAF bomber forces regularly conduct combined theater security cooperation engagements with allies and partners, demonstrating the U.S. capability to command, control and conduct bomber missions across the globe, seeing a B-52 refueling from a French Air Force C-135FR is quite a rare sight given that BUFFs typically refuel from USAF KC-135 and KC-10 tankers.

Currently the French Air Force operates 11 C-135FRs (used as dual-role tanker/cargo and troop carrier aircraft) and 3 KC-135Rs.

Photo credit: Groupe de Ravitaillement en Vol 2/91 “Bretagne” Facebook page


Share this article

Dario Leone

Dario Leone

Dario Leone is an aviation, defense and military writer. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviation Geek Club” one of the world’s most read military aviation blogs. His writing has appeared in The National Interest and other news media. He has reported from Europe and flown Super Puma and Cougar helicopters with the Swiss Air Force.

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Share this article


Share this article
Share this article

Always up to date! News and offers delivered directly to you!

Get the best aviation news, stories and features from The Aviation Geek Club in our newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.



    Share this article
    Back to top
    My Agile Privacy
    This website uses technical and profiling cookies. Clicking on "Accept" authorises all profiling cookies. Clicking on "Refuse" or the X will refuse all profiling cookies. By clicking on "Customise" you can select which profiling cookies to activate. We and our selected ad partners can store and/or access information on your device, such as cookies, unique identifiers, browsing data. You can always choose the specific purposes related to profiling by accessing the advertising preferences panel, and you can always withdraw your consent at any time by clicking on "Manage consent" at the bottom of the page.

    List of some possible advertising permissions:

    You can consult: our list of advertising partners, the Cookie Policy and the Privacy Policy.
    Warning: some page functionalities could not work due to your privacy choices