a | |||
|
|||
World
Aviation Defense & Security News - United States |
|||
US Air Force's KC-135 Stratotanker starts refueling Saudi-led coalition aircraft | |||
The
United States has started daily aerial refueling for warplanes in the
Saudi-led coalition carrying out air strikes against the Iranian-backed
Houthi rebels in Yemen, the Pentagon said Wednesday. The first refueling
flight took place on Tuesday night with a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker
providing fuel for a F-15 fighter jet operated by Saudi Arabia and an
F-16 flown by the United Arab Emirates, spokesman Colonel Steven Warren
told reporters. |
|||
RSAF F-15C Eagle fighter aircraft |
|||
“We will
have a tanker sortie every day,” Warren said, adding that
all flights will be outside of Yemeni air space.
Pentagon had announced
plans for aerial refueling earlier and officials say American forces
stand ready to fly early warning radar aircraft if necessary. But U.S. officials and military officers insisted the American assistance was “limited” and would not escalate with aircraft taking part in any bombing raids in Yemen. President Barack Obama approved intelligence and logistics support for the Saudi-led coalition after Riyadh announced its armed intervention in Yemen against Iranian-backed rebels. About 12 U.S. military troops are working with the Saudis at a “joint fusion center” in Riyadh, led by a two-star U.S. Marine Corps general, officials said. U.S. forces, including
a helicopter, helped rescue two Saudi pilots on March 26 from the Gulf
of Aden after their F-15 fighter suffered engine trouble. |
|||
US Air Force's KC-135 Stratotanker starts aerial refueling of Saudi-led coalition aircraft
- Posted On