United States Air Force KC-135R/T Damaged

KC-135R serial 63-8017 was the second tanker involved in the mid-air collision over western Iraq that destroyed KC-135R 59-1444 during Operation Epic Fury. US Central Command described the sequence as a refuelling incident and stated it was not caused by friendly or hostile fire. The aircraft lost the upper portion of its vertical stabilizer but remained controllable, and the crew diverted to Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, where it landed safely. The airframe was later ferried to Tinker AFB for structural repairs. All six crew aboard the other tanker were killed.