A U.S. Air Force tanker operating without transponders nearly collided with a commercial JetBlue flight carrying innocent civilians, exposing dangerous military secrecy that puts American lives at risk in international airspace.
Story Highlights
- JetBlue A320 forced to abort climb after Air Force tanker crossed directly in front at 35,000 feet
- Military aircraft operated “dark” without transponder, invisible to civilian air traffic control systems
- Incident occurred during U.S. military buildup near Venezuela, risking American passenger safety
- JetBlue pilot called the near-miss “outrageous” and reported potential mid-air collision to federal authorities
Invisible Military Aircraft Creates Aviation Nightmare
On December 12, 2025, JetBlue flight B61112 from Curacao to New York JFK experienced a terrifying near-collision with a U.S. Air Force tanker approximately 15 minutes after takeoff. The military aircraft, operating without an active transponder, passed directly in front of the civilian Airbus A320 at the same altitude around 35,000 feet. The JetBlue crew was forced to immediately halt their climb to avoid what could have been a catastrophic mid-air collision involving 150+ innocent passengers.
The Air Force tanker remained completely invisible to both Curacao Air Traffic Control and the JetBlue aircraft’s collision avoidance systems. Air traffic controllers confirmed they had no radar contact with the military aircraft, leaving civilian pilots flying blind in international airspace. This reckless disregard for basic aviation safety protocols demonstrates how military secrecy can endanger the lives of American families simply trying to travel home.
Military Operations Prioritize Stealth Over Civilian Safety
The incident occurred within a busy commercial flight corridor between Caribbean islands and the U.S. East Coast, where hundreds of civilian aircraft operate daily. U.S. Air Force tankers have been conducting increased patrols near Venezuela as part of heightened military activity in the region. However, operating these massive refueling aircraft without transponders creates an invisible threat to commercial aviation that violates fundamental safety principles established to protect American travelers.
Radio communications archived by aviation outlets reveal the JetBlue pilot’s shock and anger over the dangerous encounter. The crew estimated the tanker passed within 2-5 miles while heading northeast toward Venezuelan airspace. This proximity represents an unacceptable risk that could have resulted in hundreds of casualties due to military operational secrecy taking precedence over civilian safety protocols that have protected American aviation for decades.
Federal Authorities Must Investigate Military Accountability
JetBlue Airways immediately reported the incident to federal authorities, stating “Safety is our top priority” and promising full cooperation with any investigation. Meanwhile, U.S. Southern Command offered only generic responses about “highly-trained” aircrews while claiming to review the matter through “appropriate channels.” This bureaucratic deflection fails to address the core issue: military aircraft operating invisibly in civilian airspace without proper coordination or safety measures.
The incident exposes dangerous tensions between military operational requirements and civilian safety protocols. While national security operations require some level of discretion, endangering commercial flights filled with American citizens represents an unacceptable overreach. Federal aviation authorities must establish clear rules requiring military aircraft to maintain transponder visibility when operating in busy civilian corridors, regardless of mission sensitivity or operational preferences.
Sources:
JetBlue A320 crew startled by encounter with ‘unseen’ military tanker north of Venezuela
