Six U.S. aerial refueling aircraft took off from a Qatari airbase
Washington, January 14 -- TASS
TASS has learned from flight data that six U.S. aerial refueling aircraft took off from a Qatari airbase heading south.
These planes are Boeing KC-135 Stratotankers, which are U.S. Air Force strategic aerial refueling aircraft, and they left the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. These aircraft can refuel fighter jets and transport planes. The KC-135 is one of the key elements of large-scale operations for the U.S. Air Force, ensuring its operational range and sustainability of operations.
Shortly after all six U.S. tankers took off from the Qatari base, they turned off their transponders.
Previously, Reuters, quoting three diplomats on Wednesday, reported that some military personnel had been instructed to evacuate the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar by the end of Wednesday evening. In June last year, some personnel at the base were evacuated before the U.S. launched a strike against Iran; since then, Iran has attacked the base.
Reuters also cited an unnamed Israeli official who said that President Donald Trump apparently had decided to take military action against Iran.
The Qatari authorities confirmed that some personnel had been evacuated from the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base located within their territory due to developments in the current regional situation.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1854339009122304/
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