I see two B-1 bombers with their transponders on over the eastern Mediterranean and ...

[mahatmakanejeeves]

a KC-46 tanker headed their way. The B-1s are at what I believe to be an appropriate altitude for refueling. The KC-46 is probably climbing after leaving Ben Gurion Airport.

It's about 11:00 p.m. or midnight where they are. The B-1s probably have to have their transponders on for the refueling operation.

https://globe.adsbexchange.com/

Hex ID Callsign Type Alt. (ft) Spd. (kt) Wind D. Wind (kt)
ae5f9e United States B762 10600
ae6be1 United States B1 ▲20600 247
ae6bef United States B1 20000

[LearnedHand]

1. B-1 just turned off transponder (nope)

My bad they didn’t. It just swung away from the KCs.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

2. A KC-135 has entered the airspace, I see.

This is the first time I've seen a B-1 that far east. There might be a few more showing up. There are twelve of them operating out of RAF Fairford.

[LearnedHand]

3. There was a C-17 flying toward that area

From Ramstein but I don’t see it anymore.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

4. Yeah, they don't seem to want keep their transponders on when they get out that way.

The tankers usually show up, but they've disappeared right now. I can still see the B-1s off Cyprus.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

5. They came to the attention of other watchers.

Mark
Today at 4:02 PM

Was surprised to see a couple B-1's departing Israel area headed Northwest meeting KC-135's.
That area offshore seems fairly safe for tankers,fighters etc at night as am sure well secured and they show
for a while so no mistaking them for something else. Don't need any more A/A accidents.
Prob headed back to the UK

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