#air refueling

All articles tagged with "air refueling"

Another Battle Damaged KC-135 Tanker Seen Passing Through RAF Mildenhall

Battle-Damaged KC-135 Seen in Britain Highlights Strain on U.S. Tanker Fleet

A KC-135 Stratotanker covered in temporary shrapnel repairs and missing its refueling boom was photographed at RAF Mildenhall, offering another visible sign of damage inflicted during the now-paused conflict with Iran.

Key Takeaways

The photographed KC-135 showed shrapnel repairs across multiple surfaces and was missing its refueling boom.
The aircraft belongs to the Alaska Air National Guard’s 168th Wing.

DT Editorial Team·May 26, 2026·via twz.com

B-21 Raider Takes Key Step Toward Aerial Refueling

The U.S. Air Force confirmed a B-21 Raider stealth bomber completed a close-proximity flight with a KC-135 tanker — a critical milestone toward validating the bomber's long-range global strike capability.

Key Takeaways

B-21 Raider completed a 5.5-hour close-proximity flight with a KC-135 tanker over Edwards AFB
Aerial refueling certification is essential for the bomber's long-range penetrating global strike mission

DT Editorial Team·Mar 15, 2026·2 min read·via defensenews.com