Tankers

Latest in Tankers

A KC-135 refueling tanker crashed in Iraq, according to CENTCOM.

KC-135 Tanker Crashes In Iraq During Operation Epic Fury Sortie (Updated)

By Howard Altman, Thomas Newdick, Joseph Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Mar 13, 2026

KC-135 refueling B-21 over the Mojave Desert.

B-21 Raider Photographed Aerial Refueling For The First Time

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Mar 11, 2026

The U.S. Air Force now has at least 14 aerial refueling tankers forward-deployed in Israel ahead of potential strikes on Iran.

Israel’s Fighter Force Stands To Be Far More Effective With Full USAF Tanker Support In A War With Iran

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 28, 2026

U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 379th Expeditionary Maintenance Group conduct pre-flight checks on a KC-135 Stratotanker before it departs during Operation Agile Spartan at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, Aug. 19, 2023. The large-scale exercise reinforced the U.S. commitment to its regional partners across the Middle East through developing and maintaining missions in unpredictable ways, rapidly responding to the needs of joint and coalition commanders. The month-long, multinational operation demonstrated interoperability between regional partners, improved response capabilities, and further enhanced security throughout the region.

Tankers Vacate Al Udeid Air Base As U.S. Citizens Are Urged To Leave Israel Immediately (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 27, 2026

Newly teamed-up Northrop Grumman and Embraer are hoping that a boom refueling system-equipped version of the latter's KC-390 Millennium twin jet engine tanker-transport will catch the eye of the U.S. Air Force.

KC-390 With A Refueling Boom Seems Like A Perfect Fit For The USAF’s Agile Tanker Needs, But Will It Bite?

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 25, 2026

Four C-17 Globemaster III aircraft assigned to the 911th Airlift Wing perform an elephant walk at the Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station, Pennsylvania, July 18, 2023. Elephant walks demonstrate the teamwork and capability of the 911th AW to perform rapid large-force to defend, mobilize and fight. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jeffrey Grossi)

Straight Talk On State Of U.S. Airlift Capabilities From General Who Ran Air Mobility Command

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Feb 23, 2026

The U.S. Air Force is exploring new ways to protect aerial refueling tankers and other high-value support aircraft by physically defeating incoming threats rather than trying to jam them or otherwise throw them off course.

Mini Missiles Used To Shoot Down Incoming Missiles Eyed For USAF Tanker Fleet

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 13, 2026

KC-46 mishap closes moron

KC-46 Mishap Closes Key European Logistical Hub For U.S. For Days (Updated)

By Howard Altman

Posted on Feb 3, 2026

A top Canadian Air Force general breaks down the role of his nation's future F-35A stealh fighters and the challenges of integrating them into the force and NORAD.

Canadian NORAD Commander’s View On Future F-35 Fighter Force

By Howard Altman

Posted on Dec 18, 2025

The Pentagon has sent more KC-135 refueling jets to the Dominican Republic as part of the Trump administration's pressure campaign on Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro.

More KC-135 Tankers Deploy To The Caribbean

By Howard Altman

Posted on Dec 17, 2025

U.S. Air Force HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopters, assigned to the 943d Rescue Group, conduct helicopter air-to-air refueling with an HC-130J Combat King II aircraft,

Combat Rescue Aircraft, Tankers Arrive In Caribbean As U.S. Military Buildup Accelerates

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Dec 12, 2025

The Utah Air National Guard demonstrated new capabilities that expand the KC-135 aerial refueling tanker's ability to also act as an airborne communications and data-sharing node during major exercises in the Pacific earlier this year.

KC-135 Refueling Pods Have Been Converted Into Flying Communication Nodes

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 20, 2025

A business jet converted into a tanker is among the options the U.S. Air Force has been considering as part of plans for a future aerial refueling 'system of systems.'

Business Jet Aerial Refueling Tankers Eyed By USAF

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 26, 2025

Despite Setbacks, Embraer Still Pitching KC-390 As Air Force ACE Tanker Of Choice

By Hope Hodge Seck

Posted on Sep 23, 2025

Three nozzle binding incidents have cost the Air Force nearly $27 million.

KC-46’s Refueling Boom “Nozzle Binding” Issues Are Costing The USAF Tens Of Millions In Damage

By Howard Altman

Posted on Aug 25, 2025

The Israeli Ministry of Defense has said it will seek to buy two more Boeing KC-46A Pegasus tankers from the United States, as it invests in its fleet of inflight refueling tankers, heavily utilized in the recent campaign against Iran, as well as for other long-range combat missions. While Israel has already committed to buying four KC-46s, it currently relies on a dwindling fleet of veteran Boeing 707 tankers. The 12-day war against Iran earlier this year, in particular, led to questions about Israeli Air Force (IAF) aerial refueling capacity and the U.S. government was forced to deny that it had provided additional tanker support for the operation.

Israel Wants More KC-46 Pegasus Tankers To Boost Overworked Aerial Refueling Fleet

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Aug 24, 2025