KC-135 turns 50; withstands test of time

  • Published
  • By Airman Nora Anton
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  The farthest north Tanker Wing celebrated the 50th birthday of the KC-135 Stratotanker in a Sept. 9 ceremony at the 168th Air Refueling Wing's maintenance hangar. 

The celebration honored the Stratotanker as a premier refueling aircraft in the Air Force's, Navy's and Marine Corps' heritages; its original mission was to refuel long-range bombers. 

The 168th ARW kicked off the celebration with two incentive flights for 168th personnel refueling 355th Fighter Squadron A-10s. A 50th birthday reception followed the flights, showcasing new nose art for one tanker: an eagle flexing his wing.
Developed from its predecessor, the Boeing Dash 80, the KC-135 was the first tanker specifically designed for aerial refueling. 

"The Stratotanker changed the way aerial conflicts were fought in the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm," said Lt. Col. Todd Mackinaw, 168th Air Refueling Squadron commander. "The aircraft has contributed to the success of other operations in the past half-century by consistently refueling bomber, fighter, cargo and reconnaissance aircraft of U.S. and allied forces. Stratotankers dispense an average of 19 million pounds of fuel per month to U.S. military aircraft." 

Although the aircraft are known primarily for aerial refueling, the KC-135s are also used as flying command posts, personnel and cargo transports and aero medical evacuation aircraft, and has supported recovery efforts of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and other humanitarian relief missions. 

One of the more notable operations the KC-135 continues to be involved in is Operation Nobel Eagle, said Chief Master Sgt. Todd Cook, 168th ARS chief boom operator. Operation Nobel Eagle has its roots in the events of Sept. 11, 2001. In Alaska that morning, 168th ARW tankers were launched to refuel F-15s which intercepted commercial aircraft and escorted them to destination outside the U.S. The operation continues today in the daily defense of North American airspace. 

The KC-135 has been part of Eielson's heritage for more than 45 years, said Colonel Mackinaw. 

"They have been here at one point or another since the early 60s," said Colonel Mackinaw, who has been flying the Stratotanker since the spring of 1988. "The KC-135s were flown out of the Alaska Tanker Task Force during that time."
The tankers fulfill many missions at Eielson; essentially, they serve as an "air-bridge," meaning they refuel combat and mobility aircraft to and from the fight. Eielson is in an extremely advantageous location explained the colonel. 

"We are also here to support the air defense of Alaska and support local combat training missions with pre- and post- strike refuelings. 

The Air Force frequently uses the 168th's Stratotankers in various modification and cold-weather evaluation programs. The Air Force's frequent reliance on the 168th ARW is a tribute to the skill and experience of 168th MXG maintainers. 

"The maintainers have been here a long time, they know the guts of that plane inside and out, so we get asked to try a lot of experimental equipment," said the Lieutenant Colonel. 

The 168th ARW, was the first Stratotanker unit to be modified with the carbon braking system, which prevents melting of metal near the brakes, as well as many other modifications, said Lt. Col. John Hilgenbrink, 168th ARW Operations Support Flight commander. 

"It is a really old airplane, but it was so well-built to begin with and so well-maintained that it still does a great job," said Colonel Mackinaw. 

"The KC-135 is much more capable now than it was 50 years ago, as far as engines, avionics, communications and aviation-safety equipment are concerned," said Colonel Hilgenbrink. 

"The future of the airplane is bright," said Col. John Griffin, 168th ARW commander, during his speech at the birthday reception. "We're going to continue to deliver air superiority, global reach, battle space intelligence and constant vigilance. It's a total package and adds up to our air dominance and you are a very big part of it in this wing. We are delivering that capability."