Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Latest Breaking News

InstantGratification

(446 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

Mar 14

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.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

4 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

LeftInTX rubbersole Bluetus EX500rider

29 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Five Air Force Refueling Planes Hit in Iranian Strike on Saudi Arabia [View all] riversedge Mar 14 OP

Planes in our fleet are sitting ducks at those ME bases BumRushDaShow Mar 14 #1

Likely One Missile That Caused The Damage DallasNE Mar 14 #23

Maybe the maker of refueling planes needs more money and Trump owes them? Attilatheblond Mar 14 #25

And where is Iran getting the information about US Military assets? Botany Mar 14 #2

That picture with putin UpInArms Mar 14 #3

Also, Putin is 5'7" Orrex Mar 14 #4

Even with the elevator lifts he wears Bengus81 Mar 14 #11

Putin's fit Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Mar 14 #5

Trump gives Florshines to people he likes. ALL of the Cabinet members were given Florshines and 3Hotdogs Mar 14 #8

Gee, maybe if we give Daddy Putin all of Ukraine blue-wave Mar 14 #7

Is Putin wearing . . . AverageOldGuy Mar 14 #10

Nah, the Devil wears Prada Attilatheblond Mar 14 #27

My heart goes out to the six crew members who lost their lives in the collision. Their deaths are on that iluvtennis Mar 14 #6

Putin probably told donnie to move all of the defensive assets of our military into the Gulf war arena. rubbersole Mar 14 #9

KC-135's are key to Trump's air campaign. paleotn Mar 14 #12

We have quite a few refuelers. I saw about 20 take off from Tel Aviv on Feb 28th LeftInTX Mar 14 #15

160+. How many are available for service and not in maintenance, etc. is less. But still a lot. paleotn Mar 14 #16

So lemme get this straight: The Iranians successfully target and hit 5 KC-135s Prairie Gates Mar 14 #13

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

"We will find out more as the investigation proceeds." Prairie Gates Mar 14 #18

More will be learned NewLarry Mar 14 #28

Very possible. But I would have thoughts these tankers were both based in the area Bluetus Mar 14 #21

So lets put this in perspective......... this country has around 380 -600 tankers we have now lost around 9............. turbinetree Mar 14 #17

Aw, hell. We needed new planes anyway. COL Mustard Mar 14 #19

"Iran has been targeting U.S. troops and military equipment at bases across the region " Bluetus Mar 14 #20

Recovering Maninacan Mar 14 #22

Here is the replacement cost - Nigrum Cattus Mar 14 #24

Didn't we lease the KC-46 NewLarry Mar 14 #29

But but but SuzyandPuffpuff Mar 14 #26