The KC-135 Stratotanker
Story by SSG Jeff Clayton - Photos courtesy U.S. Air Force
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Of The Washington Air National Guard Flown by the men and women of the 141st Air Refueling Wing of the Washington Air National Guard, headquartered at Fairchild Air Force Base, WA
The KC-135 Stratotankers principal mission is to conduct mid-air refueling of U.S. military aircraft. This asset greatly enhances the U.S. Air Force's capability to accomplish its mission of Global Engagement. It also provides aerial refueling support to U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and allied aircraft.
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Four turbofans, mounted under 35-degree swept wings, power the KC-135 to takeoffs at gross weights up to 322,500 pounds. Nearly all internal fuel can be pumped through the tanker's flying boom, the KC-135's primary fuel transfer method. A special shuttlecock-shaped drogue, attached to and trailed behind the flying boom, may be used to refuel aircraft fitted with probes. An operator stationed in the rear of the plane controls the boom.
A large cargo deck directly above the fuel storage area can hold a mixed load of passengers and palletized cargo. Depending on fuel storage configuration, the KC-135 can carry up to 83,000 pounds of cargo.
The U.S. Air Forces Air Mobility Command (AMC) manages more than 442 Stratotankers, of which the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard fly 268 in support of AMC missions. The Washington Air National Guard currently operates several of these aircraft, assigned to its 141st Air Refueling Wing, Headquartered in Spokane.
The Stratotanker, based on the Boeing 707, first entered the U.S. Air Force inventory at Castle Air Force Base, California, in June 1957. The last KC-135 was delivered in 1965.
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During the Vietnam War, the unique capabilities of the KC-135 Stratotankers came to fruition, making that air war different from all previous aerial conflicts.
Mid-air refueling allowed bombers to hit targets deep in enemy territory, from bases well out of harms way, and fighters, no longer limited by restricted fuel supplies, were able to spend more time in target areas, and provide greatly enhanced support to our ground forces. The face of air combat operations had changed forever.
Today the Stratotanker is used to support every long-range operation conducted by the U.S. military and many of our allies.
Of the original KC-135A's, almost 400 have been modified with new CFM-56 engines produced by CFM-International. The re-engined tanker, designated either the KC-135R or KC-135T, can offload 50 percent more fuel, is 25 percent more fuel efficient, costs 25 percent less to operate and is 96 percent quieter than the KC-135A. Under another modification program, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard tankers were re-engined with the TF-33-PW-102 engines. The re-engined tanker, designated the KC-135E, is 14 percent more fuel efficient than the KC-135A and can offload 20 percent more fuel.
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Through its years of service, the KC-135 has been altered to do many other jobs. The EC-135C serves as the U.S. Strategic Command's flying command post. One EC-135C is on alert at all times, ready to take to the air and control bombers and missiles if ground control is lost.
Special reconnaissance units use the RC-135s, and the NKC-135A is flown by the Air Force Systems Command as a test platform. Air Combat Command operates the OC-135 as an observation platform in compliance with the Open Skies Treaty.
Over the next several years, the aircraft will undergo a number of upgrades to expand its capabilities and improve its reliability. Among these are wingtip, air refueling pods; improved cockpit instrument displays; additional communication equipment and enhanced navigation aids. A new aluminum-alloy skin grafted to the underside of the wings will add 27,000 flying hours to the aircraft. With projected modifications, the KC-135 will fly and refuel into the next century.
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The Air National Guard and Air Reserve fly better than half of the nations KC-135s, and maintain a high degree of operational readiness.
In 1997 Washington Air National Guard KC-135s flew their tankers in support of Operation Joint Guard, in Bosnia. These aircraft are currently deployed in support of the military buildup in the Gulf.
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