The US Air Force’s (USAF) KC-135 Stratotanker fleet at Al Udeid Air Base has achieved a significant milestone by completing 103,419 combat hours and more than 14,700 sorties.
More than 60 KC-135s participated in achieving the combat hours in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.
340th Expeditionary Air Refuelling Squadron director of operations Lieutenant colonel James Murray said: "We provide refuelling to every flying unit in the area of responsibility which is Syria, Yemen, Iraq, and Afghanistan and supported 12 coalition nations."
"We support aircraft 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year so they can do their mission."
"Imagine 12 airplanes flying 24 hours a day, it’s incredible.
"If we were not out there to give gas to all our receivers they would have to fly shorter missions."
"There are different Air Force components like active duty, Reserve and Air National Guard out here,"
Operation Atlantic Resolve is a demonstration of continued US commitment to the collective security of Nato and to enduring peace and stability in the region, in the wake of Russia’s role in the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Operation Freedom’s Sentinel is the US’s continued operations in Afghanistan both non-combat and combat military forces.
Image: A KC-135 Stratotanker takes off from the flightline at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. Photo: courtesy of US Air Force photo / Senior Airman Kia Atkins.
