"The mission came a day after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz accused Russia of waging a 'hybrid war' against Germany. Merz blamed President Vladimir Putin for the incursion of reconnaissance drones that disrupted Munich Airport and left more than 10,000 passengers stranded. Flights were canceled during German Unity Day, and as Munich prepared for the final weekend of Oktoberfest, which draws over six million visitors annually."
"The US Air Force describes the spy plane as providing strategic electronic reconnaissance information to the president, the Secretary of War, Department of Defense leaders and theater commanders 'Locating and identifying foreign military land, naval and airborne radar signals, the Combat Sent collects and minutely examines each system, providing strategic analysis for warfighters,' according to the military branch. All RC-135U Combat Sent aircraft are fitted for aerial refueling, giving them effectively unlimited range. and carry advanced communications and navigation systems."
A US Air Force RC-135U 'Combat Sent' surveillance aircraft departed RAF Mildenhall at 2:32am ET, flew over the Baltic states, looped around Kaliningrad, and returned to the UK, landing at 9:36am. The flight occurred amid heightened tensions after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz accused Russia of waging a 'hybrid war' following the incursion of reconnaissance drones that disrupted Munich Airport and stranded over 10,000 passengers. Flights were canceled during German Unity Day and affected preparations for the Oktoberfest final weekend. The RC-135U provides strategic electronic reconnaissance to senior US and theater commanders, locates foreign radar signals, and examines systems for strategic analysis. All RC-135U aircraft are fitted for aerial refueling and carry advanced communications, navigation, and sensor suites.
Read at Mail Online
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