Overview
- KC-135R 59-1444, photographed at RAF Mildenhall on Sunday, showed dozens of unpainted patches that mark field repairs to shrapnel punctures, with the jet reported to be from the Ohio Air National Guard’s 121st Air Refueling Wing.
- The tanker had deployed to Prince Sultan Air Base in early March, and Iranian strikes on the base reportedly damaged multiple KC‑135s and destroyed an E‑3G Sentry surveillance jet.
- During its return transit, the aircraft broadcast the 7700 general emergency code and diverted to Chania, Greece, before continuing toward the United States, with the reason not confirmed.
- The patchwork visible across the fuselage and wings is characteristic of battle damage repair done in the field to make an aircraft safe to ferry for deeper inspection and overhaul.
- The U.S. Air Force has begun flying stored KC‑135s out of the Davis‑Monthan boneyard to Tinker Air Force Base for restoration, a move that points to prolonged repairs for some damaged tankers and near‑term pressure on refueling capacity.