German Airforce Runs First Refueling Mission over Syria

Germany's military staged its first aerial refueling mission of allied fighter jets targeting Syria's Islamic State jihadist group, the armed forces said Wednesday.

The A310 MRTT refueled two combat aircraft Tuesday before returning from its five-hour mission shortly after midnight to the southern Turkey military base at Incirlik, said a Bundeswehr spokesman, without identifying the other planes involved.

The tanker aircraft is part of Berlin's deployment to aid the multinational anti-IS coalition, which also includes six German Tornado surveillance jets, a frigate helping protect the French Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier and up to 1,200 troops.

Unlike France, the United States and Britain, Germany is not conducting bombing missions.