Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker
USAF marks 100 years of air-to-air refuelling in Op Centennial Contact
To honor the centenary of its air-to-air refueling (AAR) capability, the USAF conducted a series of tanker-focused flyovers across all 50 US states, as well as some of its deployed locations, as part of Operation Centennial Contact on June 27
What it’s like to fly aboard a USAF KC-135R during an air-to-air refuelling mission
AirForces Monthly was invited by the USAF 100th Air Refueling Wing to join them on a mission over the North Sea from their base at RAF Mildenhall. Photographer Tom Williams went along for the ride
Severe weather forces USAF tankers to vacate McConnell AFB
The USAF’s 22nd ARW at McConnell AFB, Kansas, was forced to relocate its tanker fleet – which comprises a number of KC-46A Pegasus and KC-135R/T Stratotanker aerial refuelling aircraft – out of state on May 11 due to a severe weather system that was scheduled to strike their home base later that day
USAF to expand Australian base for B-52s
The US plans to create facilities to base six B-52s in Australia in a move that experts say is linked to increased tensions with China over Taiwan
KC-135Q Pilot: Special Blackbird procedures and rescuing an SR-71
Pilot Lt Col Erik C Swanson (ret.) concludes his description of serving on the KC-135Q force supporting the SR-71A Blackbird on its secret missions
Flying the KC-135Q – Global Reach for the SR-71 Blackbird
A force of KC-135Qs was dedicated to air-to-air refuel the SR-71A Blackbird. In the August 2012 issue of Aviation News pilot Lt Col Erik C Swanson (ret.) described his experiences flying the ‘Q’ variant of the Stratotanker supporting the SR-71A on its secret missions
60 years of Special Mission USAF C-135
Combat Aircraft Journal celebrates the ageing special mission Boeing C-135s, with many reaching 60 years since they were built
USAF risks bearing costs of future KC-46 delays
The US Government Accountability Office has recommended that the US Air Force fully test the KC-46A tanker programme’s remote vision system before the technology enters service in order to address previously highlighted deficiencies
100 ARW receives Block 45 KC-135
The 100th Air Refueling Wing (ARW) at RAF Mildenhall, Suffolk, has received its first KC-135R Block 45 Stratotanker
US completes first Turkish KC-135R upgrade
A Turkish Air Force-operated Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker has recently been returned to Turkey after completion of a Block 45 upgrade