STRATOTANKERS OVER AFRICA

摘要

The Groupe de Ravitaillement en Vol 2/91 'Bretagne' is currently heavily engaged in combat operations in Africa and the Middle East. The unit, which belongs to the Forces Aeriennes Strategiques (FAS), the Armee de I'Air (French Air Force or AdIA) Strategic Air Command, has 11 C-135FR Renoves Standard 2 (upgraded standard 2) and three KC-135R tankers. The KC-135Rs, obtained second-hand from the US Air Force, are undergoing a major upgrade that will bring them up to Global Air Traffic Management and Block 40 standard, the very same standard already in service with the US Air Force. The Block 40 will be a culture shock for GRV 2/91 as the aircraft is now flown by a crew of three (captain, co-pilot and boom operator), the navigator having been dispensed with. At the time of writing, upgraded KC-135Rs had not been cleared for combat operation.