A US Air Force aerial refueling tanker (serial 63-8017) that underwent repairs at Ben Gurion Airport for several months after a collision with another refueling aircraft landed in Britain on Sunday, according to Ariel Kahana (Israel Hayom). The aircraft's tail was taken from a different grounded plane, giving it a second call sign, REACH 564.
The tanker, serial 63-8017, had been at Ben Gurion Airport for months of repairs following a collision with another refueling aircraft. Its departure to Britain marks the end of that maintenance period. The aircraft's tail section was salvaged from a different grounded plane, giving it the dual identity of REACH 564.
The tanker was one of dozens of US refueling aircraft that have been stationed at Ben Gurion in recent weeks as part of the ongoing campaign against Iran. The Zioneer has previously reported on the fleet's impact on airport operations, including parking congestion and passenger delays. The departure of a repaired tanker to Britain may indicate a rotation or consolidation of the US refueling fleet.
2 developments
- DevelopingAdditional US refueling tankers land at Ben Gurion Airport from the Gulf
- DevelopingAerial refueling aircraft performs emergency landing at Ben Gurion Airport
- DevelopingUS refueler departs Ben Gurion Airport as fuel crisis persists
- StrongUS refueling aircraft depart Ben Gurion Airport ahead of strikes, report says
Source and signal
- Open-source intake