KC-46 Pegasus Boom Detaches Mid-Air During Refueling of F-22 Raptors

Boeing KC-46A Pegasus 20-46079 305th AMW USAF | Rob Vogelaar

Posted By: Rob Vogelaar July 9, 2025

Aviation News, July 9, 2025 – Off the U.S. East Coast — A U.S. Air Force Boeing KC-46A Pegasus tanker experienced a mid-air boom separation on July 8 during a training mission while refueling a group of F-22 Raptors. The incident occurred off the coast of Virginia and is the second confirmed case of a boom detachment involving the KC-46A platform, compounding ongoing concerns over the aircraft’s reliability.

Operating under the callsign FELL 81, the tanker belonged to the 22nd Air Refueling Wing based at McConnell Air Force Base in Kansas. According to reports, the boom became detached during contact with one of the receiving F-22s. The crew promptly declared an in-flight emergency and requested a diversion to an alternate airfield.

Following the separation, the F-22 fighters safely returned to Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia. The KC-46 proceeded to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina, where it landed without further incident. No injuries were reported, and the receiving aircraft did not sustain any known damage.

This is the second documented case of an in-flight boom detachment for the KC-46. A similar incident occurred in August 2024 during a refueling operation with F-15E Strike Eagles over California. While neither incident resulted in casualties, both have intensified scrutiny of the aircraft’s boom system—particularly its structural performance under the stresses of refueling agile, high-performance fighter jets.

The KC-46A, developed by Boeing, has faced multiple technical and operational challenges since its introduction, including issues with the Remote Vision System (RVS), fuel leaks, and boom design flaws. The Air Force has not yet released an official statement regarding the cause of the latest incident.
Photo Rob Vogelaar

US Army 250 years Strong

 

Memorial Day

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Silent auction at Reunion

Contributions Needed for Our Silent Auction Each year, we hold a silent auction at our Reunion. It is our biggest fund raiser and it helps us fund our Annual Reunions and pay other vital expenses. But it doesn't work without your help.  We'd love for each of you to bring one new, unopened gift to contribute; something you think others will bid on. Items will be collected during registration and will be on display Friday and Saturday, culminating in a Silent Auction. Let's make this another successful  fundraiser. Thanks to all in advance, Your FWA Board

Reunion activity schedule May 2025

Visit Jacksonville

Hello all

It’s a busy week with Thanksgiving just days away, can you believe it? 

Anyway have been working Sydney over at Visit Jacksonville for our 2025 reunion and she sent this to me today. Please feel free extract what information or links that you think would be beneficial to the group as we get closer to reunion. I know we’re still nearly 7 months out but just wanted you to have this material for reference. 

Have a joyful and memorable Thanksgiving

Walt 

Begin forwarded message:

From: Sydney Scott <sscott@visitjacksonville.com>
Date: November 25, 2024 at 12:29:35 PM EST
To: WALTER HORLACHER <horlacherw@bellsouth.net>
Subject: Flamingo Wing Association



Hi Walter, 

  

We want to make sure everyone has the best experience here in Jacksonville! Listed below are links you can include on your communications and/or website for attendees to use in their free time. We can also make sure to include these on your group’s microsite!  

 

Top 22 Attractions 

Things to do in Jax 

48 of the Best Bites in Jacksonville 

Hop on the Jax Ale Trail 

Jacksonville Beaches 

Let's Go Shopping 

  

I have attached some sample itineraries that we encourage you to use. 

Accessibility Itinerary 

Ale Trail  

Craft Cocktail 

Downtown Dine Around 

Spring Summer 

Fall Winter 

  

Jacksonville is a diverse city and embraces many different cultures.  Here are a few customized itineraries to review and share. 

Latin Culture 

Black Culture 

LGBTQ+ Culture 

 

If you are looking for some unique #onlyinjax souvenirs or VIP gifts, our Only in Jax Marketplace is a great place to look!  

Sydney Scott 
Destination Experience Assistant Manager 

Visit Jacksonville

100 N. Laura St., Ste. 120, Jacksonville, FL 32202

904.421.9158 (o) 904.599.6447 (m) 

 

Please note that under Florida's very broad public records law, e-mail communications to and from Visit Jacksonville are subject to public disclosure

The passing of Lamar Lussi, past member of the FWA

The passing of Lamar Lussi

Joseph LAMAR Lussi left this life to be with Jesus Tuesday morning, November 12th, 2024. He was born in Lamar County, Georgia, April 2nd (at least that is what he told everyone), 1932. That is where he got his middle name for which he was always grateful that he was not born in Butts County. The family lived in Thomaston and his parents worked for BF Goodrich in the cotton mill. At one point, his mother's two brothers, her sister and their children lived on the same street in the Silvertown mill village.
Lamar and his older brother Ray attended R E Lee High School. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the USAF, and while stationed in South Carolina, he met Shirley, and they were married a week after he got out. They moved to the Atlanta area where they lived most of their lives except for short stints in NC and LA. He always said they had 65 good years of marriage and out of 67 that was not bad. They had two sons, Emory and Daryl, from which sprang seven grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
The family's life centered around their love of God and the church. Lamar was a deacon, Sunday School teacher, worked in the nursery and with youth, and umpired little league baseball for over 30 years. He started work at Dekalb Christian Academy in 1978, moved to Providence Christian Academy as a founding staff member in 1991, and retired from there this past April as Director of Encouragement. During these years at church and school, his ministry to students, families, and staff was immeasurable. Lamar had a list of over 4,500 people that he called on their birthdays, had prayer boards at home and at school, and was actively involved in countless lives in many ways.
From the hundreds of folks Lamar's family has heard from in the past few days, the impact of his life is beyond anything they realized. Join them in a celebration of his life, November 23rd at Grace/New Hope in Lawrenceville. Visitation will be at 10 am, service at 11 am, with reception following. Please plan to stay for the reception if at all possible as the family want to meet you and hear your Lamar/Mr. Lussi stories. Also, come wearing something plaid if possible.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Lussi Legacy Fund which will provide financial assistance for students attending Providence. Access the donation site by clicking "Donate Now" below. If you are unable to attend the funeral, please leave your Lamar stories on the Bill Head Funeral Homes website by clicking on the tab for the "Tribute Wall".
The service will be livestreamed for those unable to attend. The link to watch will be below when it is available.
Online condolences may be left at www.billheadfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements by Bill Head Funeral Home & Crematory Lilburn/Tucker Chapel. 770-564-2726