Air Mobility Command enables delivery of Israel’s first F-35s

Photo By Stephenie Wade | An Israeli F-35 “Adir” receives fuel from a Tennessee Air National Guard KC-135 as the aircraft make the flight across the Atlantic, Dec, 6, 2016. The U.S.-made F-35s will be Israel’s first fifth generation fighter aircraft and were refueled multiple times while en route to ensure their safe delivery to Israel. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Erik D. Anthony)  

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, IL, UNITED STATES

12.12.2016

Courtesy Story

Air Mobility Command

The 618th Air Operations Center, based out of Scott AFB, Illinois, assigned the Tennessee Air National Guard’s 134th Air Refueling Wing, New Hampshire ANG’s 157th ARW and Pennsylvania ANG’s 171st ARW the critical mission of providing critical aerial refueling support en route to Israel.

The 618th AOC planned the mission and provided command and control for the KC-135s, while they dispensed the fuel needed to ensure an effective multi-day mission to deliver the two new Israeli F-35 “Adirs”.

“We always need to be at the top of our game,” said Maj. John Hale, aircraft commander for the Tennessee ANG KC-135. “That’s especially the case when enabling the delivery of Israel’s first fifth generation fighters with a 52-year-old aircraft.”

Even with the overall KC-135 fleet reaching 60 years old, the aircraft and its Airmen continue to provide refueling capabilities to nine combatant commanders worldwide. Every 2.8 minutes there is some type of Air Mobility Command aircraft supporting an operation somewhere on the globe. Mobility forces work with international partners to enhance their defense capability and capacity to conduct missions.

The U.S. and Israel have a military relationship developed through decades of cooperation. The delivery of capable and effective fighter aircraft will bring new capabilities to Israel and deepen the ties between the two countries.

"It is an honor to help ensure the delivery of F-35s to a valued ally,” said Gen. Carlton Everhart, Air Mobility Command commander. “Aerial refueling missions enable global reach for the United States and partner nations. Air Mobility Command Airmen and aircraft enable global effects and create bridges of support for partner nations on a daily basis."

Sharing the same aircraft with partner nations allows the U.S. to fly and fight in the same airframe with common tactics, capabilities, and resources, ensuring an interoperable coalition.

Members from AMC’s 618th AOC work 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to plan, task, assess, and provide command and control for airlift and tanker missions worldwide, making combat operations and partner nation support possible.

• Date Taken: 12.12.2016
• Date Posted: 12.12.2016 13:19
• Story ID: 217352
• Location: SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, IL, US