Aerial refueling tankers from Fairchild dispatched to Libya
Published 8:12 pm Tuesday, March 22, 2011
SPOKANE — Fairchild Air Force Base near Spokane is sending KC-135 tankers to assist in aerial refueling for U.S. and allied fighter jets enforcing the no-fly zone over Libya.
The 92nd Air Refueling Wing says five of the base’s tankers were sent Saturday to North Africa and a sixth is due to leave Wednesday.
The tankers extend the amount of time fighter jets can remain in the air by allowing them to refuel in flight.
The Spokesman-Review said the tankers will be flown and maintained by Fairchild-based crews with the 92nd Air Refueling Wing and the 141st Air National Guard.
