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National Security & Defense

mahatmakanejeeves

(69,485 posts) Thu Mar 19, 2026, 04:27 PM 2 hrs ago

5

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

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

4 replies

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I see two B-1 bombers with their transponders on over the eastern Mediterranean and ... (Original Post) mahatmakanejeeves 2 hrs ago OP

B-1 just turned off transponder (nope) LearnedHand 2 hrs ago #1

A KC-135 has entered the airspace, I see. mahatmakanejeeves 2 hrs ago #2

There was a C-17 flying toward that area LearnedHand 2 hrs ago #3

Yeah, they don't seem to want keep their transponders on when they get out that way. mahatmakanejeeves 1 hr ago #4

LearnedHand

(5,404 posts)

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

Reply to mahatmakanejeeves (Original post)

Thu Mar 19, 2026, 04:35 PM

2 hrs ago

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

mahatmakanejeeves

(69,485 posts)

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

Reply to LearnedHand (Reply #1)

Thu Mar 19, 2026, 04:46 PM

2 hrs ago

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

(5,404 posts)

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

Reply to mahatmakanejeeves (Reply #2)

Thu Mar 19, 2026, 04:49 PM

2 hrs ago

From Ramstein but I don’t see it anymore.

mahatmakanejeeves

(69,485 posts)

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

Reply to LearnedHand (Reply #3)

Thu Mar 19, 2026, 05:00 PM

1 hr ago

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

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