Air Force Conducts First Commercial Air-to-Air Refueling of Fighter

An F-16 was refueled during a proof-of-concept demonstration while en route from Osan Air Base, South Korea, to Singapore.

Kimberly Johnson

Friday, November 10, 2023 at 12:37 PM ET

Verified

A commercial KDC‐10 tanker aircraft refuels a U.S. Air Force F‐16 Fighting Falcon from the 51st Fighter Wing en route to Commando Sling 23 at Paya Lebar Air Base, Singapore, on November 6. [Courtesy: U.S. Indo-Pacific Command]

Key Takeaways:

The U.S. Air Force has successfully conducted its first commercial air-to-air refueling of a fighter jet, an F-16, during its transit to an exercise in Singapore.
This proof-of-concept demonstration aims to build operational readiness, project airpower, and free up the military's tanker fleet for critical contingency missions.
A commercial KDC-10 tanker performed the refueling and also transported passengers and cargo, showcasing its dual capability for both airlift and aerial refueling.

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The U.S. Air Force has conducted its first commercial air-to-air refueling of a fighter jet in a proof-of-concept demonstration of a capability the service asserts will help build and maintain operational readiness while also further projecting airpower.

On Monday, a commercial KDC-10 tanker refueled an F-16 Fighting Falcon while it was en route from Osan Air Base, South Korea, to the Commando Sling 23 exercise taking place in Paya Lebar Air Base, Singapore. The bilateral training event with Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) and the Republic of Singapore Air Force is meant to bolster alliance capabilities in the region.