A harrowing incident occurred during Israel’s Operation Rising Lion, when one of the F-15 fighter jets flying toward a target in the Tehran area encountered a critical failure mid-flight, according to a report by Channel 12. The malfunction involved the aircraft’s secondary fuel tank, which suddenly stopped supplying fuel just as the jet was operating in the heart of enemy airspace.
This unexpected failure created a life-threatening situation, leaving the pilot without access to enough fuel to safely return or complete the mission. At such a deep range, the risk of losing the aircraft or being forced into a hostile emergency landing loomed large.
Although in-air refueling had not been included in the original flight plan for this mission, the Israeli Air Force reacted immediately. In a rare and risky maneuver, commanders ordered a refueling plane to launch on short notice. That tanker then intercepted the compromised fighter jet somewhere over Iranian airspace. The tense mid-air refueling was carried out with extraordinary precision under immense pressure.
Thanks to that successful operation, the F-15 was able to resume its mission exactly as planned. At the same time, Israeli defense officials activated backup protocols in case the jet had to divert and land in a neutral third country — a move designed to avoid the possibility of the pilot or aircraft being captured.
Meanwhile, it came to light that Israeli Air Force Commander Major General Tomer Bar had cautioned top defense leaders about the high risks involved in the opening stages of Operation Rising Lion. His internal assessments warned that up to ten aircraft might be lost in the mission’s first three days. In the end, however, those grim projections did not come true.
{Matzav.com Israel}