US tanker aircraft KC-135 Stratotanker, intended for the refueling of US strategic bombers, yesterday, ie. 8 June were stationed at the airport in Lviv Ukrainian. According to some sources,, Lviv deployed four tanker, Other sources have reported five aircraft.
As reported by Ukrainian media, the planes came from different places: a British air base RAF Mildenhall, US bases McConnell AFB and Beale Air Force Base (California, USA), as well as the base of the National Guard under the United States in Illinois. Also arrived at the airport staff, total number of, including members of the crews of tankers, at 150 human.
According to the press service of the US Air Forces in Europe and Africa, the main purpose of the deployment of tankers KC-135 in Ukraine is a part of the US strategy of increasing the security of US allies in Eastern Europe and the level of interaction between members of NATO and the alliance partners.
Tankers will be to fly as part of training missions to increase the range flights of strategic bombers.
Recall, US earlier was transferred to the British base Fenford four long-range strategic bomber B-1B Lancer, who regularly make flights along the Russian border to the Baltic Sea.
Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker - it chetyrehdvigatelny jet specialized multifunctional military transport aircraft, which was designed in the early 1950s. In KC-135R aircraft fuel tanks located in the wing and the two compartments, under the main cabin floor total capacity 118 240 liters. In the rear part of the fuselage is a small reserve tank 3800 liters of fuel. Refueling aircraft in the air by the operator by means of a telescopic rod, located in the tail section of the aircraft fuselage. With this rod can refuel one plane, Fuel pumping speed 3400 l / min. You can use vnutrifyuzelyazhnyh fueling unit with flexible hose. In-flight refueling boom nestles below the fuselage.
