S. 510 – Expediting Israeli Aerial Refueling Act of 2023

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Updated January 20, 2026 at 3:45 AM UTC

The Expediting Israeli Aerial Refueling Act of 2023 directs the U.S. Air Force to train Israeli air‑force personnel on how to operate and maintain KC‑46 aerial refueling aircraft. It also sets up a military‑personnel exchange for those Israeli members and requires the U.S. to temporarily station KC‑46 planes in Israel until Israel fields its own four operational KC‑46s. The bill affects the Israeli Air Force, the U.S. Air Force, and the Department of Defense.

Key Provisions

Within 60 days, the Secretary of the Air Force must provide resources and conduct training in the U.S. for Israeli pilots, crew, and ground staff on KC‑46 operation and maintenance.
The Department of Defense must allow Israeli participants to join the U.S. Air Force Military Personnel Exchange Program before and after completing the training.
The Secretary of Defense must submit a report on the capacity and needs for forward‑deploying KC‑46 aircraft to Israel.
The U.S. will rotationally deploy one or more KC‑46 aircraft to Israel for at least 270 days each year, continuing until Israel commissions four KC‑46s or five years have passed, whichever comes first.

Legislative Activity

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SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Foreign Relations Committee

February 16, 2023

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

February 16, 2023

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Foreign Relations Committee

February 16, 2023

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued February 16, 2023

II

118th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 510

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

February 16, 2023

Mr. Cotton introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

A BILL

To require the Secretary of the Air Force to provide training to members of the air force of Israel on the operation of KC–46 aircraft, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Expediting Israeli Aerial Refueling Act of 2023.

2.

Training Israeli pilots to operate KC–46 aircraft

(a)

In general

Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Air Force shall—

(1)

make available sufficient resources and accommodations within the United States to train members of the air force of Israel on the operation of KC–46 aircraft; and

(2)

conduct training for members of the air force of Israel, including—

(A)

training for pilots and crew on the operation of the KC–46 aircraft in accordance with standards considered sufficient to conduct coalition operations of the United States Air Force and the air force of Israel; and

(B)

training for ground personnel on the maintenance and sustainment requirements of the KC–46 aircraft considered sufficient for such operations.

(b)

United States Air Force Military Personnel Exchange Program

The Secretary of Defense shall, with respect to members of the air force of Israel associated with the operation of KC–46 aircraft—

(1)

before the completion of the training required by subsection (a)(2), authorize the participation of such members of the air force of Israel in the United States Air Force Military Personnel Exchange Program;

(2)

make the United States Air Force Military Personnel Exchange Program available to such members of the air force of Israel; and

(3)

to the extent practicable, ensure that such members of the air force of Israel may participate in the United States Air Force Military Personnel Exchange Program immediately after such members complete such training.

(c)

Termination

This section shall cease to have effect on the date that is ten years after the date of the enactment of this Act.

3.

Forward deployment of United States KC–46 aircraft to Israel

(a)

Report

Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report that describes the capacity of and requirements for the United States Air Force to forward deploy KC–46 aircraft to Israel on a rotational basis until the date on which not fewer than four KC–46 aircraft procured by the military forces of Israel are commissioned into such military forces and achieve full combat capability.

(b)

Rotational forces

(1)

In general

Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary of Defense shall rotationally deploy one or more KC–46 aircraft to Israel until the earlier of—

(A)

the date on which a KC–46 aircraft procured by the military forces of Israel is commissioned into such military forces and achieves full combat capability; or

(B)

five years after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(2)

Description

The one or more KC–46 aircraft deployed under paragraph (1)—

(A)

may vary in size and number, as the Secretary of Defense considers appropriate; and

(B)

beginning in the year that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and in each year thereafter until the applicable date described in that paragraph, shall remain in Israel for a period not less than 270 days.