KC-135R Completes First Commercial Aerial Refueling of USAF Aircraft Written 18 July 2023
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F-15C Eagle from the 67th Fighter Squadron at Kadena Air Base is refueled by a KC-135R Stratotanker from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, Feb. 25, 2010. | Credit: U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Angelique Perez; Wikipedia; Public Domain
Aviation Week reports that a privately owned Boeing KC-135R “refueled two U.S. Air Force aircraft in late June, marking the service’s first air-to-air refueling from a commercial service provider.” The Metrea Strategic Mobility-owned tanker “offloaded nearly 90,000 lb. of fuel during 13 boom contacts with an RC-135 and E-3 during Exercise Resolute Hunter between June 23-29.” Metrea’s Air and Space Group head Ty Thomas said, “We look forward to supporting more U.S. Air Force refueling requirements as well as increasing demand from allies and partners.”
Full Story (Aviation Week)