United States Air Force KC-135R/T Damaged

Two U.S. Air Force KC-135R Stratotankers were damaged in a low-speed ground mishap at RAF Mildenhall, England, between 28-29 May 2026. While a tow vehicle backed KC-135R 59-1509 of the 151st Air Refueling Squadron (Tennessee Air National Guard) into a parking spot, its port-side horizontal stabilizer clipped the starboard stabilizer of an adjacent KC-135R(T), 60-0362 of the 22nd Air Refueling Wing, leaving visible tearing and deformation. Both airframes were grounded for a few days while repairs were carried out on the ramp; neither was a write-off. The mishap adds to a string of recent issues affecting the aging KC-135 tanker fleet. No injuries were reported.