These are not merely patches, they are battle scars on the bodies of USAF KC-135R Stratotankers.
The metal panels represent emergency Battle Damage Repairs (BDR), installed to cover hundreds of holes caused by shrapnel from missile and drone blasts.
Technicians use T6 aluminum sheets to maintain structural integrity and cabin pressurization, allowing the damaged tankers to be flown to a transit base for permanent repairs.
Among them are KC-135R 59-1444 (Ohio ANG) and 63-8028 (Alaska ANG).
Credit to division of areo
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1October 12, 2026 1.9K
