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InstantGratification

(429 posts)

14. It isn't at all obvious that one wasn't refueling the other

Reply to Prairie Gates (Reply #13)

Sat Mar 14, 2026, 09:52 AM

Yesterday

The USAF does that on long flights. I went on a deployment aboard a KC-10 tanker back in the 80s. We had 4 F-16 flying with us that refueled from our tanker about every hour and a half during a 13 hour flight. Our tanker was itself refueled 3 times by other tankers staged along our route. I got to see our fighters refueled from the boom operators position, I regret not getting to sit in the cockpit jump seat and watch while we refueled. That would have been tense to watch two large aircraft that close together.

I'm not saying that this was what happened but it can't be ruled out. We will find out more as the investigation proceeds.

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LeftInTX rubbersole Bluetus EX500rider

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Highlight:

Five Air Force Refueling Planes Hit in Iranian Strike on Saudi Arabia [View all] riversedge Yesterday OP

Planes in our fleet are sitting ducks at those ME bases BumRushDaShow Yesterday #1

Likely One Missile That Caused The Damage DallasNE Yesterday #23

Maybe the maker of refueling planes needs more money and Trump owes them? Attilatheblond 22 hrs ago #25

And where is Iran getting the information about US Military assets? Botany Yesterday #2

That picture with putin UpInArms Yesterday #3

Also, Putin is 5'7" Orrex Yesterday #4

Even with the elevator lifts he wears Bengus81 Yesterday #11

Putin's fit Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Yesterday #5

Trump gives Florshines to people he likes. ALL of the Cabinet members were given Florshines and 3Hotdogs Yesterday #8

Gee, maybe if we give Daddy Putin all of Ukraine blue-wave Yesterday #7

Is Putin wearing . . . AverageOldGuy Yesterday #10

Nah, the Devil wears Prada Attilatheblond 22 hrs ago #27

My heart goes out to the six crew members who lost their lives in the collision. Their deaths are on that iluvtennis Yesterday #6

Putin probably told donnie to move all of the defensive assets of our military into the Gulf war arena. rubbersole Yesterday #9

KC-135's are key to Trump's air campaign. paleotn Yesterday #12

We have quite a few refuelers. I saw about 20 take off from Tel Aviv on Feb 28th LeftInTX Yesterday #15

160+. How many are available for service and not in maintenance, etc. is less. But still a lot. paleotn Yesterday #16

So lemme get this straight: The Iranians successfully target and hit 5 KC-135s Prairie Gates Yesterday #13

It isn't at all obvious that one wasn't refueling the other InstantGratification Yesterday #14

"We will find out more as the investigation proceeds." Prairie Gates Yesterday #18

More will be learned NewLarry 21 hrs ago #28

Very possible. But I would have thoughts these tankers were both based in the area Bluetus Yesterday #21

So lets put this in perspective......... this country has around 380 -600 tankers we have now lost around 9............. turbinetree Yesterday #17

Aw, hell. We needed new planes anyway. COL Mustard Yesterday #19

"Iran has been targeting U.S. troops and military equipment at bases across the region " Bluetus Yesterday #20

Recovering Maninacan Yesterday #22

Here is the replacement cost - Nigrum Cattus 22 hrs ago #24

Didn't we lease the KC-46 NewLarry 21 hrs ago #29

But but but SuzyandPuffpuff 22 hrs ago #26