Unarmed Tanker in Combat Search and Rescue
Published June 02, 2015
On April 7, 2003, an unarmed KC-135 Stratotanker's crew put themselves in harm's way to help the crew of a downed F-15E. The KC-135 crew flew into hostile airspace north of Baghdad, Iraq, to refuel aircraft involved in the rescue, some of which were critically low on fuel. All four crewmembers, from the 22nd Air Refueling Wing, received the Distinguished Flying Cross for their actions.
Click here to return to the From the Sky Overview.