In 1973, a KC-135 Towed An F-111 Aardvark

In 1973, a KC-135 Towed An F-111 Aardvark.

On March 28th, 1973, a surface-to-air missile hit an F-111 over Vietnam. The damaged F-111 sends a distress call, and a KC-135 hears. Flying in the north direction, the KC-135 eventually found the F-111. When the tanker began refueling the F-111, the boom operator noticed that fuel was spilling out of the damaged aircraft. To rescue the plane, the KC-135 locked the toggles on the F-111 and towed it throughout the North Vietnamese airspace to the Takhli Air Base in Thailand. Close to the base, the F-111 was disconnected from the boom and safely touched the ground.

[patrickflynn]

That is two very excellent pilot's in 2 massively different airplanes. The skill to make that Boggles the mind, I'm

[christopherjoseph]

That was a very SKILLED crew on the kc135 tanker pilot ...hats tipped to you SIR !!

[dbs]

KC-135, the AAA Road Service of the skies.
"We refuel and tow as needed.".

[BillSmith-fxxx]

A BIG SALUTE to the Boom Operator as well ! Good catch on the fuel leaks ! And great boom work for the towing effort ! ❤ 😊

[-Hands]

Many F-105's, F-4's, and etc were able to make it to their home Bases after getting Damaged from SAMS and Triple AA, "Thanks" to the KC-135 crews.

[stuartalexander]

As a former KC-135 aircraft commander, this makes me proud for these amazing gentlemen ❤

[frenk-np]

That was a brave act saving the aardvark. God bless

[wolfcarr]

Was on the radio listening that day. We had a small airstrip in Cambodia. Once it made visual of Khon Kaen Thailand. Pilots at the base cheered

[impacking]

The intellect and ingenuity of the USAF is spectacular.

[davidgeorge]

Awesome demonstration of U.S. military ingenuity.
No Soldier/Sailor/Airman/Marine left behind.

[chaseparish]

That’s Bad-A!
I had no idea they could do that!!

[tonybarnes]

Us Aussies loved the trip(le 1) that served as a strike bomber. Never used in reality but gave us the capability if needed. Nicknamed in Aussie service as pigs. Long nose, capable of rooting around in the dirt undiscovered due to TFR . Then pop up, deliver destruction and rackoff fast before they are recognised and targeted . A beautiful and deadly machine, much loved by those who've been lucky enough to be given the keys to take her out of the shed!

[vatodad]

It's unfortunate that most people don't appreciate true capabilities and true honor... The pilots and the aircraft were simply outstanding.

[eribertoacedo]

Excellent I didn’t realise that the fuel inlet could lock on and actually tow this plane outstanding. Thank you very much. God bless the United States of America from San Diego California.

[brianroberts]

That's called thinking fast on your feet to be able to resolve the problem and get everyone home save and alive that's a hero in my book how much honor and respect

[jkgogo]

towing a plane that's bloody awesome man .

[GeraldKesler]

Now that's teamwork salute these service folks

[akzoc]

I was fueling a C-119 high up on a wing in Arizona. An F-111 flew right over my head maybe 50 feet over my head, at high speed and power. I was so startled I almost fell off the wing, which would have severely injured me. I thought it was irresponsible. The F-111 looked to me like it had the aerodynamics of a hammer, but massive power.

[davidcreech]

The amount of skill required to overcome this on both planes. Make me proud to be an American! ❤
Oh yeah, my dad was a career Air force man.
He built bombs and missiles. He worked in the bomb dump. My dad would take my brother and me out there all the time that the bomb dump me and my brother would sit on sidewinder missiles all kinds of bomb packages there was no fear of being blown up it was just normal stuff

[KevinCarnes-kd]

This so cool. Never heard of such a miraculous save.unbelievabke story