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The photos in this article were posted by Osinttechnical on X and by @ItayBlumental on X.
They show one of the USAF KC-135s involved in the mid-air collision over Iraq yesterday, back on the ground in Tel Aviv to Ben Gurion International Airport. The tanker can be seen missing nearly half of its vertical stabilizer.
The other Stratotanker crashed, killing six. In fact, the KC-135 is not equipped with ejection seats.
As it can be seen by looking at the photos the aircraft belonged to the 940th Operations Group at Beale Air Force Base (AFB).
Noteworthy, the two tankers may have collided mid-air, either during fuel transfer for storage, or refuelling.
During aerial refuelling, the aircraft fly very close to each other, about 100 feet apart, which increases the risk of a collision.
As noted by NDTV, the KC-135 loss is one of the biggest American military hardware losses after the destruction of an expensive radar of the anti-missile system THAAD just days ago.
The Stratotanker represents the fourth US military aircraft lost during Operation Epic Fury conducted against Iran’s regime, after three F-15E Strike Eagles were shot down by friendly fire of a Kuwaiti F/A-18.
As already explained, yesterday US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported the loss of a USAF KC-135 Stratonker refueling aircraft. The incident occurred in friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury, and rescue efforts are ongoing. Two aircraft were involved in the incident. One of the aircraft went down in western Iraq, and the second landed safely.
This was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire.
The 940th Operations Group belongs to the 940th Air Refueling Wing at Beale Air Force Base, Calif. and operated 8 KC-135 Stratotankers. The unit received the first KC-135 in December 1976.
As reported, platforms like the KC-135 have been deployed to the Middle East to support Operation Epic Fury. According to Breaking Defense, the Stratotanker is tasked to provide fuel to get across the Atlantic or extending time on station for jets striking Iranian targets. The aircraft is more vulnerable to enemy fire than newer, sophisticated jets like stealth fighters, and typically operates outside of contested environments as a result.
The KC-135 Stratotanker provides the core aerial refueling capability for the United States Air Force and has excelled in this role for nearly 70 years. This unique asset enhances the Air Force’s capability to accomplish its primary mission of global reach. It also provides aerial refueling support to Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and allied nation aircraft. The KC-135 is also capable of transporting litter and ambulatory patients using patient support pallets during aeromedical evacuations.
Four turbofans, mounted under 35-degree swept wings, power the KC-135 to takeoffs at gross weights of up to 322,500 pounds. A cargo deck above the refueling system can hold a mixed load of passengers and cargo. Depending on fuel storage configuration, the KC-135 can carry up to 83,000 pounds of cargo.
Nearly all internal fuel can be pumped through the flying boom, the KC-135’s primary fuel transfer method. One crewmember, known as the boom operator, is stationed in the rear of the plane and controls the boom during in-flight air refueling.
A special shuttlecock-shaped drogue attached to and trailing behind the flying boom may be used to refuel aircraft fitted with probes. Some aircraft have been configured with the multipoint refueling system, which consists of special pods mounted on the wingtips. These KC-135s are capable of refueling two receiver aircraft at the same time.
Despite its age, the Stratotanker will operate until 2050 or possibly even longer.
Military Aviation
