U.S. Air Force Deletes Tail Numbers from Aircraft as Counter-intelligence Measure

The U.S. Air Mobility Command (AMC) has directed its fleet to remove majority of identifying information painted on transport and tanker aircraft such as tail numbers, as part of its counter-intelligence measures.

Air Force planes have flown with “U.S. Air Force” painted on the side of the fuselage for decades. They also featured markings indicating home units, tail numbers and oftentimes a tail flash showing the unit’s heritage.

Recent photographs of C-130s, KC-46s, KC-135s and C-17s show just a small U.S. flag on the tail and a light gray Air Force roundel.

James Stewart, a spokesman for Air Mobility Command, told Military.com in an emailed statement that airmen's missions take them around the globe and often involve sensitive movements of cargo -- the main reason behind the change.

"Understandably, we have concerns about the operational security impacts to these missions in the modern era of on-demand, real-time information," Stewart said. "Subdued paint schemes that limit identifiable information is one way we are taking a hard look at how we operate to ensure our ability to continue to deliver for America and our allies and partners around the world."

Air Mobility Command did not disclose other details in its statement, such as how many markings would be hidden on its planes and which ones it will apply to. "Because of operational security concerns, we cannot provide specifics, though our aircraft will maintain markings as required by law," said Stewart.

Despite this change, U.S. aircraft flying in international airspace can be tracked via Flightradar24 using data called ADS-B.