Inside the KC-135 Stratotanker: What Its Pilots Face on America's Most Dangerous (And Critical) Missions We weren’t able to create a summary for you. Refresh your page to try again. The KC- 135 is an aerial tanker capable of simultaneous cargo and AE missions and has been the mainstay of the USAF tanker fleet for more than 60 years. The C- 135 family is similar in appearance to the commercial 707 but designed to unique military specifications and first flew on Aug. The KC- 135 is an aerial tanker capable of simultaneous cargo and AE missions and has been the mainstay of the USAF tanker fleet for more than 60 years. The C- 135 family is similar in appearance to the commercial 707 but designed to unique military specifications and first flew on Aug. Apr 24, 2025 · Bates and Capt. Luke Hartings, 350th Air Refueling Squadron KC- 135 Stratotanker pilots , navigated this flight for the elusive experience in preparing for the six-month-long United States Air Force Weapons School. Apr 24, 2025 · Bates and Capt. Luke Hartings, 350th Air Refueling Squadron KC- 135 Stratotanker pilots , navigated this flight for the elusive experience in preparing for the six-month-long United States Air Force Weapons School. In 1950, the USAF operated the world's first production aerial tanker, the Boeing KC-97 Stratofreighter, a gasoline-fueled, piston-engined Boeing Stratocruiser (USAF designation C-97 Stratofreighter) with a Boeing-developed flying boom and extra kerosene (jet fuel) tanks feeding the boom. The KC-135 is an aerial tanker capable of simultaneous cargo and AE missions and has been the mainstay of the USAF tanker fleet for more than 60 years. The C-135 family is similar in appearance to the commercial 707 but designed to unique military specifications and first flew on Aug. Apr 24, 2025 · Bates and Capt. Luke Hartings, 350th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135Stratotankerpilots, navigated this flight for the elusive experience in preparing for the six-month-long United States Air Force Weapons School.
