USAF KC-10 tanker loses refueling boom in-flight

USAF Photo show KC-10 boom refueling F-16 fighter A U.S. Air Force KC-10 tanker lost its aerial refuelling boom while on a training fli...

USAF Photo show KC-10 boom refueling F-16 fighter

A U.S. Air Force KC-10 tanker lost its aerial refuelling boom while on a training flight in support of the Gunfighter Flag exercise.

The KC-10 was conducting training in support of Mountain Home AFB’s Gunfighter Flag Exercise when the refueling boom separated from the aircraft near the range complex.

Following the incident the Travis AFB based KC-10 Extender made a emergency landing at 11:20 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time today at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho.

All crew members are safe and no injuries have been reported on the aircraft or on the ground.

Using either an advanced aerial refueling boom, or a hose and drogue centerline refueling system, the KC-10 can refuel a wide variety of U.S. and allied military aircraft within the same mission.

During boom refueling operations, fuel is transferred to the receiver at a maximum rate of 1,100 gallons (4,180 liters) per minute; the hose and drogue refueling maximum rate is 470 gallons (1,786 liters) per minute.

The system is equipped with automatic load alleviation and independent disconnect systems to enhance safety.