117th Air Refueling Wing commander responds to KC-135R crash

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The news of a KC-135R Stratotanker crash in Kyrgyzstan was a cause for concern throughout the 117th Air Refueling Wing today. The wing has been flying the KC-135R since 1994 and currently has personnel deployed in the Kyrgyzstan area. In an effort to respond to possible involvement in the crash, Col Cliff James,  Wing Commander of the 117th Air Refueling Wing, had this to say. "We are very saddened to hear of the KC-135R crash in Kyrgyzstan. The 117th Air Refueling Wing does, in fact, have members and aircraft deployed to Kyrgyzstan. We would like to confirm that no 117th members or aircraft were involved in this crash.
The KC-135 community is a very tight knit community and we are all stunned and deeply sadden by this news. Our thoughts and prayers are in Kyrgyzstan right now."