UPDATED: USAF KC-135 crashes in Kyrgyzstan, photos of crash site

A USAF Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker of the 22nd Air Refuelling Wing, normally based at McConnell AFB, Kansas has crashed soon after takeoff from Manas AB, Kyrgyzstan. Serialled 63-8877, the KC-135 was supporting coalition forces participating in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan when witnesses reported seeing the aircraft crashing into a hillside.

The aircraft, carrying three crewmembers, came down at 14:55 local time in the Panfilov district, between the villages of Cholok-Arik and Chorgolu, some 90km west of Bishkek, near the border with Kazakhstan.

Manas AB is located about 23km (14 miles) from the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek. Below are some photos of the crash site:

UPDATE: Sadly two of the crew have been found deceased among the wreckage of the aircraft. According to the Air Force, the crew were from the USAF's 92d Air Refueling Wing at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington. The aircraft itself had just recently arrived in-theater, having been logged by European planespotters in the Netherlands and United Kingdom departing RAF Mildenhall bound for Manas on the 2nd of May.

Meanwhile a new photo (below) has appeared purportedly showing the scene soon after the aircraft impacted the ground. Of note are the thin wisps of smoke near the top of the photo; which may (or may not) lend credence to eyewitnesses who said they saw the aircraft explode and fall to the ground in flames.

VIDEO: E-3 and KC-135 in near mid-air collision; US Navy Hornet ops

Couple of videos for the weekend; Firstly a near miss as an inflight refueling between a NATO E-3 Sentry and a USAF Air Force Reserve Command - Air National Guard (137th-507th Air Refueling Wing from Tinker AFB, Oklahoma) KC-135 almost goes horribly wrong with both aircraft taking hard evasive action (particularly the E-3) to avoid a nasty mid-air collision. According the comments on the video, some crew on board the E-3 were slightly injured due to the sudden evasive action.

And another video, this time by the U.S. Navy, on the operations of Hornets and Super Hornets on board its carriers.

USAF B-52 and KC-135 to carry out training in Darwin

Moose 51 arrives into Darwin. Photo © William Nguyen Phuoc

The article says "will send", but my understanding is that a U.S. Air Force B-52H (callsign Moose 51 from the 5th Bomb Wing, MT/60-0055) and a KC-135 have arrived at Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin today to take part in short term joint training with the RAAF. The B-52 is assigned to Andersen AFB as part of U.S. Pacific Command and U.S. Air Force rotational presence in the Pacific, and the KC-135 is part of the Tanker Task Force in the region.

B-52s in Darwin are unusual, but not all that unusual. The last B-52 visit to RAAF Darwin was in 2010, when they took part in Exercise Hamel with the Australian Defence Force. The B-52s also conduct missions to use the Delamere range, usually round-trip missions from Guam without stopovers.

Indeed, a B-52 from the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron was the sole USAF participant in 2012's Exercise Pitch Black held in Australia's Northern Territory, staging from Guam and being escorted by "Taiwanese" (NOTE: Most likely Singaporean as Taiwan does not participate in Pitch Black) and Indonesian fighters (presumably Singaporean F-15SGs and Indonesian Su-27/30s as part of Blue Force) on it's way to and from target. I'll need to look deeper into this, but I'm pretty sure this marks the first time a B-52 has been escorted by Flankers on a mission, albeit on an exercise.

What caught my eye was this bit from the first link: "...decisions on future rotations are still under discussion. One of the goals of this visit is to discuss details required for support to future rotational deployments to both RAAF Darwin and RAAF Tindal."

Various sources have indicated that in the near future, rotations of USAF and US Marine Corps air assets to Northern Australia may become semi-permanent or even permanent as part of the "pivot to the Pacific". This current deployment to Darwin may only be the start of many more to come.

Thanks to William Nguyen Phuoc for additional information

Singapore Air Force issues tanker RFI to replace KC-135/KC-130s

RSAF KC-130H tanker

Aviationweek, quoting "industry sources", is reporting that Singapore has issued a Request For Information (RFI) for six aerial refueling tankers to replace it's fleet of KC-135Rs and KC-130B/Hs tankers in the Republic of Singapore Air Force's inventory, with a Request For Proposals expected to be issued as soon as the middle of this year.

It is unclear which platform/manufacturers the RSAF has issued the RFI to, but it is almost certain to include EADS/Airbus for the A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport, which made a last minute two-day appearance during the trade day component of the recently concluded Singapore airshow. The aircraft involved was Royal Air Force A330 Voyager MRTT016/ZZ330 which took a scenic deviation from it's flight test schedule from Getafe, Spain for the show.

Other possible contenders for the RSAF tanker contract would be Israel Aircraft Industries' Bedek Division, which has been converting Boeing 767s sourced from the commercial market into tankers for the Colombian Air Force. Boeing's 767-based KC-46A could be another contender, although industry sources feel that with the USAF's mammoth 180-aircraft order keeping the KC-46 line busy till 2018, the RSAF's requirement may come too soon for it to be a serious contender. Both companies were also promoting their tankers at the airshow, although only Airbus had a flying example present at the static display.


Graphic showing the MRTT's multi-role capability. Click on thumbnail for high resolution image (RAAF)

Should the Airbus MRTT be selected, it's configuration will be very similar to that delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), with a provision for a refueling boom in the centre refueling station, rather than a refueling basket as on the RAF Voyager due to the RSAF's combat fleet soon to consist only of aircraft utilising the boom and receptacle refueling method.

The number of tankers in the RFI has surprised some observers, considering that the RAAF is set to operate 5 MRTTs. However we have already covered this issue last August and stumped for 6 aircraft being the most plausible number due to a combination of factors, not least being that the RSAF would most likely have a requirement for their next tanker to be used regularly as a transport in addition to their tanker duties, supporting frequent Singapore military training exercises abroad.

RoKAF conducts air-to-air refueling exercises with USAF

RoKAF F-15K Slam Eagles refuel from a USAF KC-135R (ROKAF Photo)

South Korean newspapers Chosun Ilbo and The Korea Herald have both ran stories in their respective English editions about the Republic of Korea Air Force participating in aerial refueling exercises with the USAF for the first time in South Korean airspace over the West Sea.

Starting Friday the 16th of September, a KC-135R Stratotanker of the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, 18th Wing normally based out of Kadena AFB, Okinawa, will conduct refueling exercises with the RoKAF's F-15Ks and KF-16C/Ds. 16 RoKAF pilots (8 from each type) will participate in the exercise, which are expected to run till September 30th. The 16 pilots are expected to qualify for aerial refueling after this exercise, which will require four successful refueling attempts; two by day and a further two at night.

The RoKAF, which currently does not possess tanker aircraft, hopes to conduct similar exercises with the USAF every six months to allow it's refueling-qualified aircrew to stay current, while at the same time, setting a target of qualifying 16 pilots for aerial refueling every year.

Efforts by the RoKAF to acquire it's own tankers have stalled, mainly over budgetary concerns.

Singapore looking to replace KC-135s, would it acquire more than 4?

Aviationweek ran an article a few days ago about how Boeing's commitment to build 180 KC-46 tankers for the USAF might leave the field for other air forces' tanker contracts open to Airbus. It's worth a read, but what caught my eye was the following:



The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) currently operates four Boeing KC-135R Stratotankers with 112 Sqn from Changi West Airbase. All four aircraft were former US Air Force KC-135As pulled out from storage in the late 1990s and upgraded to KC-135R standard with new turbofans, avionics, a glass cockpit and a pair of Sargent-Fletcher Mk.32 (now known as the Cobham 500/700-series) refueling pods on the wings to refuel probe-equipped aircraft in addition to the fuselage mounted boom to refuel receptacle-equipped aircraft. The oldest of the RSAF's KC-135s was built in 1959, with the newest built in 1963 which would make the fleet ripe for replacement in the timeframe stated in the article.

However, what Aviationweek did not mention specifically was the number of tankers the RSAF was looking to acquire, for in addition to the KC-135s, the RSAF also operates a fleet of ten Lockheed C-130B/H Hercules transports with Paya Lebar-based 122 Sqn, most, if not all* of which are capable of mounting a pair of Cobham 48" series wing-mounted refueling pods. Furthermore, since the introduction of the KC-130s in the 1980s and the KC-135s in 1998, the RSAF's force structure has undergone a radical change. Gone from the RSAF's combat orbat are the McDonnell-Douglas A-4SU Super Skyhawks, with the locally-upgraded Northrop F-5S/T Tiger II soon to follow. In their place are 60 Lockheed-Martin F-16C/D Fighting Falcons and 24 Boeing F-15SG Strike Eagles, and it is widely expected that Singapore will be a future customer for the Lockheed-Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter.


RSAF C-130H 731 in tanker configuration. Most, if not all of the RSAF's ten-strong C-130 fleet can be configured as tankers.

What this means is that when the F-5S/T retires, the RSAF's current (and possibly future) combat fleet will comprise exclusively of aircraft which utilise the boom-and-receptacle method of inflight refueling. This would render obsolete the C-130's tanker capabilities in the RSAF (even if its transport capabilities are very much still in demand), and with US-based RSAF F-15 and F-16 training detachments needing (occasional?) support, along with frequent participation in multinational and unilateral exercises overseas**, there will almost certainly be a shortfall in the RSAF's refueling capacity, if there isn't already.

So where does this lead? I would speculate that the RSAF will acquire more than four new tankers, replacing the KC-135s and KC-130s at the same time. It is not expected that the KC-130s will be replaced on a 1-for-1 basis, given the costs involved and the disparity in capabilities of the possible contenders over the KC-130. With all of that in mind, I would, however, be very surprised if the RSAF's tender for new tankers, which Aviationweek expects to be issued as early as next year with selection in early 2013, would be for less than 6 aircraft, with even 8 aircraft being a possibility.

* - It is commonly mistakenly reported that only five of the RSAF's C-130s (four C-130Bs and one C-130H) can be configured as tankers.

** - Singapore-based RSAF jets deploy frequently to Australia, France, India, Indonesia and Thailand for exercises, with flights to and from the first three-named countries definitely requiring tanker support for F-15/F-16s to reach when flying from Singapore.

[UPDATED] Singaporean F-15SGs arrive in Darwin, Australia

UPDATE: Darwin resident Martin Eadie has kindly given his permission to publish one of his images of one of the the F-15SGs landing at Darwin. Click on the thumbnail for high res image. Thanks Marty!

According to witnesses on the ground, six Republic of Singapore Air Force F-15SG Strike Eagles of 149 Sqn, normally based at Paya Lebar Airbase, have arrived in Darwin, Australia on the afternoon of the 11th of April. Noted arriving at RAAF Darwin were F-15SGs 8306 (05-0004; c/n SG4), 8315, 8318, 8319, 8320 and 8323. All were equipped for a long flight, carrying 3 600-gal tanks each.

The Eagles were followed by RSAF C-130H 734 of 122 (Condor) Sqn which also landed in Darwin soon after. No tankers accompanied the F-15s into Darwin, however a RSAF KC-135R of 112 Sqn dragged the F-15s up to a point about 200km NW of Darwin before returning to Changi West, Singapore. It is believed that 149 (Shikra) Sqn, which had converted from the F-5S/T Tiger II to the F-15SG just over a year ago, are in Darwin for an exercise, expected to last several weeks.

Singapore has ordered a total of 24 F-15SGs from Boeing between 2005 and 2007. All aircraft have been delivered as of early 2011, and the RSAF's F-15SG fleet is currently split between the Shikras and the Buccaneers of the 428th Fighter Squadron, 366th Fighter Wing, a joint USAF-RSAF training detachment based at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho.

Singaporean F-15SGs arrive in Darwin, Australia

Post updated. Please go to this link.

Guardian anti-missile system completes initial tests on ANG KC-135

Northrop Grumman's Guardian anti-missile system has completed the first round of flight testing onboard a KC-135 tanker of the Kansas Air National Guard’s 190th Air Refueling Wing at at Forbes Field. Guardian is a laser-based missile protection system.

RAAF, RSAF deploy aircraft to New Zealand earthquake relief

Following the earthquake which has devastated the city of Christchurch on South Island, New Zealand, the Royal Australian Air Force and Republic of Singapore Air Force have deployed aircraft, personnel and equipment to support relief efforts. The RAAF has despatched a pair of C-130 Hercules transports while the RSAF has deployed a KC-135R Stratotanker and another pair of C-130s.

KC-135s make Red Flag possible

Despite the fast movers stealing the limelight, the contribution by the tankers are crucial to the success of Red Flag exercises at Nellis. The current exercise, Red Flag 11-2 saw KC-135s from four units supporting participants from Europe and the Middle East, as well as supporting the exrcise itself.

Fairchild KC-135s relocate to temporary homes

The KC-135s of the USAF's 92nd Refueling Wing have had to temporarily relocate their aircraft and flying activities to two nearby airports as their home base at Fairchild AFB is closed for runway repairs. Approximately 36 aircraft are involved in the move, which may last for up to a year.

PHOTO: F-16 refuels from KC-135 over Iraq

(Click on thumbnail for high res image)
A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron while flying over Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn, Nov. 18, 2010. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Harris)

PHOTO: Avionics-equipped F-35 joins Edwards test program

(Click on thumbnail for high res image)
The third F-35A to join the test fleet at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., tops off its fuel tanks while cruising west toward its destination after departing Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11. Lockheed Martin test pilot Bill Gigliotti flew the conventional takeoff and landing variant, known as AF-3, on the 1,200-mile ferry flight. AF-3 will focus on testing advanced technologies and mission systems. The F-35 Lightning II program on Dec. 9 achieved its goal of 394 flights in 2010, and reached the 400-flight mark for the year-to-date on Dec.13. (Lockheed Martin photo by Liz Kaszynski)

Base Leg Note: The tanker in the photo is an NKC-135R Big Crow Flying Laboratory, serial 61-0320

Final KC-135 leaves Grand Forks

After 50 years of being associated with Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota, the KC-135 tankers of the 319th Air Refueling Wing has left the base for the final time. The base will house the RQ-4 Global Hawk UAV from 2011 onwards.

C-17s, KC-135s take part in Mobility Air Force Exercise

USAF C-17 Globemaster III and KC-135 Stratotanker crews have practiced executing airlifts and airdrops in medium threat environments as part of the Mobility Air Force Exercise (MAFEX) hosted by the Air Force Weapons School at Nellis AFB, Nevada. MAFEX will also see C-17s land on semi-prepared dirt runways and KC-135s carry out mid-air refuelling training.

Utah ANG arrives at Andersen AFB

The 151st Air Refueling Wing of the Utah Air National Guard has arrived at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. The unit will be attached to the 506th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, providing a vital tanker air refueling capability to the Pacific Region. The deployments by ANG and Air Force Reserve Command tankers typically last for four months each.

Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron supports continuous bomber presence

The US Air Force has a feature on Guam's 506th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron whose mission is to support the continuous bomber presence and theater security packages in the Pacific region. The 506th draws its KC-135s and crew from Air National Guard tanker units throughout the U.S, deployed to Guam's Andersen AFB on monthly rotations.

Singapore AF in Australia for Ex Wallaby

Over the past few weeks several Republic of Singapore Air Force aircraft have been flying into Rockhampton, Queensland in support of the annual Exercise Wallaby. On Friday the 15th of October, six F-16D Block 52+ from 145 (Hornet) Sqn arrived at Rockhampton via Darwin, supported by a KC-135 Stratotanker and C-130H Hercules. They were preceded by 2 CH-47SD Chinooks of 127 Sqn in early October which flew into Rockhampton via Darwin, Mount Isa and Longreach and supported by another C-130.

In addition four AH-64D Apaches of 120 Sqn are also in Rockhampton for the exercise, having flown in by a Volga-Dnepr Antonov 124 in early October. They are joined by AS332M Super Pumas from the RSAF detachment in nearby Oakey.

USAF tankers dispensed 12.2 million pound of fuel since 2001

Statistics from the USAF's Air Mobility Command show that AMC tankers have off-loaded more than 12.2 billion pounds of fuel to aircraft for worldwide military operations since 2001. The figure includes those from Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve aircraft and crews.