[Cliff Dweller]

Looks to me to be a "keep tank", they may be referred to as drop tanks, but the past reality has always been to KEEP them.

It is difficult to see, but there do appear to be three ports between the lugs, that would be consistent with an external fuel tank.

How it got on the ground is a mystery...could have been a switchology problem....

Former A6 Bombardier

[finnman69]

you mean like this.....

[danielobvt]

Looks to me to be a "keep tank", they may be referred to as drop tanks, but the past reality has always been to KEEP them.
Could they have dropped it to increase the aerodynamic profile of the aircraft if they were doing something that required the full performance of the aircraft? What that could be over Afgan, I do not know, but is that a possibility?

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

Might have been pickled if AAA opened up on them while they were rolling in on a target.