In an exciting first, a U.S. Air Force KC-135 tanker refueled three Malaysian fighter jets of Russian origin, the Su-30MKM, while flying high in the sky. The mid-air refueling happened on November 12, marking a unique moment of cooperation between American and Russian-made aircraft. This intriguing event was announced by the U.S. Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS), which praised the operation as historic.
This incredible refueling was carried out by the 141st Air Refueling Wing of the Washington Air National Guard (WANG), a key part of the U.S. Air Force’s reserve force. Since 2017, the Washington Air National Guard has been collaborating with Malaysia to boost military cooperation, aiming to make each country’s forces more compatible and capable of working together. According to the statement, these efforts build shared strengths between allies, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.
The KC-135 tanker used a special refueling technique called the “probe and drogue” system, which is widely used by NATO and other allied countries. Imagine a long hose hanging from the tanker’s belly with a basket-like structure (the drogue) at the end. The pilot of the fighter jet carefully maneuvers the plane so that its “probe” connects with this drogue, allowing fuel to be transferred mid-air without any modifications to the fighter jet. This method lets multiple fighters refuel at the same time and is quite popular for its simplicity and effectiveness.
The U.S. often collaborates with other countries that fly Russian-made fighter jets, but this was the first time a U.S. tanker had refueled Russian-origin jets, making it a special moment. In fact, DVIDS even shared a video of the refueling mission, showing the KC-135 flying in formation with the Malaysian Su-30MKM jets. In one part of the footage, two Su-30MKMs were seen refueling at once—a rare and impressive sight.
It’s not the first time a Western tanker has refueled a Su-30, though. Back in 2022, Indian Air Force Su-30s were refueled by a French tanker while traveling to Australia for Exercise Pitch Black. Still, for the KC-135 Stratotanker, this recent mission adds another milestone in its impressive service history.
The KC-135 Stratotanker has been a central player in the U.S. Air Force’s refueling operations since the 1950s. Powered by four large engines, it can carry up to 83,000 pounds of fuel or cargo, helping extend the range and endurance of U.S. aircraft in various missions, from the Vietnam War to Desert Storm. Though the U.S. is planning to replace the KC-135 with the newer KC-46 Pegasus, this reliable old tanker is still being updated with cutting-edge tech to keep it relevant.
One of the most exciting updates for the KC-135 is the addition of an AI-powered “copilot” that will help make its operation more autonomous. The U.S. Air Force recently approved a plan by the company Merlin, which is working on integrating this AI assistant into the KC-135 by the end of the year. It’s a bold step toward a future where military aircraft may operate with more AI support, boosting safety, efficiency, and national security.
This unique refueling operation with Malaysian Su-30MKM jets highlights the versatility and reliability of the KC-135 while showcasing a fascinating collaboration between American and Russian-built military aircraft. Such partnerships are helping shape a new era of global military cooperation, where even jets with different origins can join forces for shared missions in the sky.
