Thread by @TheIntelFrog

A very interesting flight just landed at Kirtland AFB, NM direct from Europe.

The 4 digit RCH call sign indicates a high priority mission. This flight was carried out by 2 separate USAF C-17s operating under the same call sign.

Lets explore this flight together.

1/11

On 4/6 USAF C-17 AE4F12 as RCH4614 arrived at Kirtland AFB, NM and parked on Pad 5, which is used for the loading/unloading of live munitions.

2/11

Kirtland AFB, NM hosts several weapons, including B61 nuclear gravity bombs.

3/11

kirtland.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-…

On 4/9, USAF C-17 AE4F12 as RCH4614 departed Kirtland for Kleine Brogel AB, Belgium. It refueled with a KC-135 as FLAM## along the way, indicating it possibly had a hazardous cargo on board and arrived at Kleine on the 10th.

4/11

Kleine AB is home to the 701st Munitions Support Squadron whose primary mission is handling B61 nuclear weapons.

5/11

twz.com/40008/air-forc…

Also on 4/10, USAF C-17 AE1239 as RCH192 departed from Ramstein AB, Germany and arrived at Kleine.

6/11

On 4/11 USAF C-17 AE4F12 departed Kleine as RCH192 for Ramstein.

7/11

Also on 4/11 USAF C-17 AE1239 as RCH4614 departed Kleine AB for Volkel AB in the Netherlands.

8/11

Volkel AB is home to the 703rd Munitions Support Squadron whose primary mission is also the handling of B61 nuclear weapons.

9/11

fas.org/publication/ne…

Today (4/14) USAF C-17 AE1239 as RCH4614 departed Volkel AB en route to Kirtland AFB, NM. It likely refueled along the way (as indicated by the lack of a fuel stop) possibly indicating a hazardous cargo on board.

10/11

Given the above, this was likely a mission to swap out B61s in storage at Kleine & Volkel ABs with freshly maintained weapons direct from Kirtland.

11/11

energy.gov/nnsa/us-nuclea…