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Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker: NKAWTG!

Jason Hyatt No Comments Air Force

The Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker and its many variations has helped extend the range of a multitude of aircraft during it’s almost 60 years of service to the U.S. and a host of other nations.

It is only because of the KC-135 and her bigger sibling, the KC-10 Extender, that the United States Air Force is able to deploy and project power as quickly and efficiently as it does. The type entered service in 1957, with more than 800 of them built, and some of which could remain in service until 2040.

The Navy refers to her as the “Iron Maiden,” and whether you’re a fan of the -135 or not, its classic, sexy Boeing Model 707 lines are absolutely unmistakable. Another noteworthy statistic? It is one of only six aircraft designs to see at least five decades of continuous service with its original operator. No small feat, and testament to the maintainers who keep the aircraft ready to accomplish its mission.

A Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker from the 141st Air Refueling Wing "drags" a flight of F-16Cs of the 162nd Fighter Wing during Exercise Sentry Eagle 2015. (Photo by Scott Wolff)

A Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker from the 141st Air Refueling Wing “drags” a flight of F-16Cs of the 162nd Fighter Wing during Exercise Sentry Eagle 2015. (Photo by Scott Wolff)

Members of the -135 community recently put together a pretty cool video, one we ran across today and wanted to be sure to share. Our mobility assets are the unsung heroes in our ability to establish and maintain air dominance anytime, anywhere. Remember, No One Kicks A$$ Without Tanker Gas!

(Featured photo by Scott Wolff)

About the Author

Jason Hyatt is an aerospace industry professional with over 10 years of experience in the military and commercial aviation sectors. Born and raised in the Southwest United States, an area blessed with over 300 days of sunshine per year, he is fortunate to have been in and around aviation his entire life. After a brief stint as a semi-professional soccer player in the early 2000's, he realized his desire to live and work in aviation. While working for Boeing IDS (now BDS) in 2005, he first picked up a camera and started experimenting with aviation photography and photojournalism. As a freelance aviation photojournalist, he has been able to stay close to military aviation, his primary area of interest.

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