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14. It isn't at all obvious that one wasn't refueling the other
Sat Mar 14, 2026, 09:52 AM
Saturday

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

Planes in our fleet are sitting ducks at those ME bases BumRushDaShow Saturday #1
Likely One Missile That Caused The Damage DallasNE Saturday #23
Maybe the maker of refueling planes needs more money and Trump owes them? Attilatheblond Saturday #25
And where is Iran getting the information about US Military assets? Botany Saturday #2
That picture with putin UpInArms Saturday #3
Also, Putin is 5'7" Orrex Saturday #4
Even with the elevator lifts he wears Bengus81 Saturday #11
Putin's fit Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Saturday #5
Trump gives Florshines to people he likes. ALL of the Cabinet members were given Florshines and 3Hotdogs Saturday #8
Gee, maybe if we give Daddy Putin all of Ukraine blue-wave Saturday #7
Is Putin wearing . . . AverageOldGuy Saturday #10
Nah, the Devil wears Prada Attilatheblond Saturday #27
My heart goes out to the six crew members who lost their lives in the collision. Their deaths are on that iluvtennis Saturday #6
Putin probably told donnie to move all of the defensive assets of our military into the Gulf war arena. rubbersole Saturday #9
KC-135's are key to Trump's air campaign. paleotn Saturday #12
We have quite a few refuelers. I saw about 20 take off from Tel Aviv on Feb 28th LeftInTX Saturday #15
160+. How many are available for service and not in maintenance, etc. is less. But still a lot. paleotn Saturday #16
So lemme get this straight: The Iranians successfully target and hit 5 KC-135s Prairie Gates Saturday #13
It isn't at all obvious that one wasn't refueling the other InstantGratification Saturday #14
"We will find out more as the investigation proceeds." Prairie Gates Saturday #18
More will be learned NewLarry Saturday #28
Very possible. But I would have thoughts these tankers were both based in the area Bluetus Saturday #21
So lets put this in perspective......... this country has around 380 -600 tankers we have now lost around 9............. turbinetree Saturday #17
Aw, hell. We needed new planes anyway. COL Mustard Saturday #19
"Iran has been targeting U.S. troops and military equipment at bases across the region " Bluetus Saturday #20
Recovering Maninacan Saturday #22
Here is the replacement cost - Nigrum Cattus Saturday #24
Didn't we lease the KC-46 NewLarry Saturday #29
But but but SuzyandPuffpuff Saturday #26
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