Operation involving a KC-135 in international airspace marked a first for the Chilean Air Force and reinforced interoperability with the United States ahead of FIDAE 2026
The Chilean Air Force (FACH) carried out, for the first time, an in-flight refueling mission involving F-35 aircraft from the United States Air Force. According to the Chilean institution, the mission took place during the fighters’ transit to Chile and marked a milestone by involving a FACH KC-135 supporting F-35s in transit in a highly complex operation.
According to FACH, the operation took place in international airspace at around 26,000 feet. During the mission, the KC-135 Stratotanker established contact with the American aircraft and performed the refueling hookups, transferring fuel in flight to ensure the fighters could continue their journey.
The Chilean Air Force highlighted that the maneuver required a high level of precision, coordination, and training, since the receiving aircraft must maintain very close positioning to the tanker aircraft in order to allow the connection and safe fuel transfer. The institution also stated that the crew’s performance was praised by the U.S. counterpart, especially for the precision at the rendezvous point and the quality of the execution.
The episode also gained relevance because it involved the F-35A Lightning II aircraft from the USAF Demonstration Team, which arrived in Chile to take part in FIDAE 2026 in Santiago.
The airshow’s organizers stated that two aircraft from the demonstration team, linked to the 388th Fighter Wing, will remain at Pudahuel Air Base until April 12 and will be part of the event’s aerial program.
Beyond its operational significance, the mission reinforces closer ties between Chile and the United States in the field of military aviation. For FACH, the operation demonstrates its ability to integrate in combined actions and the high level of readiness of its aviators, while the presence of the F-35 at FIDAE increases the regional visibility of one of the most advanced combat aircraft currently in service.
Source and images: X @FACh_Chile | @Southcom. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
