Overview
- The crew, which briefed media March 27, said a pilot saw a distant projectile during the first leg and the team quickly judged it was not a threat before continuing the mission.
- The A330 multi‑role tanker transport carries a self‑protection suite that can detect infrared‑guided missiles and trigger defensive responses, which formed part of the mission’s safety planning.
- GPS signals were widely jammed across the region, so pilots switched to backup navigation sources and took headings from air traffic control to stay on course.
- Engineers and planners readied the aircraft in about 48 hours, selected the longer‑range MRTT to fly non‑stop to Riyadh, and coordinated with agencies to manage fast turnarounds and ground handling.
- The MRTT completed two flights that landed March 11 and March 13, with the Riyadh leg bringing 218 people to Singapore and the Jeddah leg carrying 81 passengers, including foreign nationals from six countries, as onboard medical staff handled only mild cases and crew focused on simple comforts.