Israel Is The Only Middle-Eastern Country Flying A Fifth-Generation Fighter

Air Mobility Command Airmen worked around the clock to ensure Israel’s first two F-35 aircraft were delivered Dec. 12, making the U.S. ally the only country in the Middle East flying a fifth generation fighter aircraft.

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 vital 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, the 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 AMC aircraft supporting an operation somewhere around 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, the 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.

(Image provided with USAF news release)

FMI: www.af.mil