USAF KC-135 STRATOTANKER Retires after 63 YEARS of SERVICE
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- čas přidán 29. 08. 2024
- The 128th Air Refueling Wing has retired one of its oldest aircraft and documented its final flight to the boneyard. KC-135R Tail #0009 Thank you for 63 years of service to this country and the world.
#airforce #tanker #nkawtg
Glad to see so many of my fellow Tanker Airmen sharing their stories as well. #NKAWTG NOBODY!
46 start of a new era
Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.
This amazing aircraft has had a longer service life than a lot of naval combat ships in the fleet. Well done, Air Force!
USS Blue Ridge is 53 years old and is expected to serve until 2039.
Cherish your bird. Memories won't leave you. My A model is in the boneyard and I've gone three times and know where it is parked. I can pick it out using Google Earth because I see the patch they made when they removed the cargo door and sill. 23501. Crewing was the best job I had. Civilian aviation at Valley, Business Express and Northwest never left me with the pride that crewing a SAC Era -135 at Loring did. Cherish your career on that bird.
Hey Mike. I was also at Loring. I was there from '76 to '80. I was assigned to the mobile KC-135 simulator. It was inside a railcar parked just outside the flightline fence. We started our family at Loring...two boys. Great memories.
Cool! We were there at the same time. Google the LORING HERITAGE MUSEUM.
Losing SAC degraded our readiness and standards. Never forget that MITO launches called for 15 seconds interval for the -52s and 12 seconds for the -135s. LORING...TIP OF THE SAC SPEAR.
Rest well 58-0009. I was a KC-135 Boom Operator from 1979-1986 at McConnell and Castle, and the KC-10's from 1986-1999. I still think the KC-135 is one of the safest aircraft ever built.
"Boom Stowed, Leaving Position."
Castle! 77-81
What a beautiful tribute by a dedicated crew chief. A/C 0009 has served the nation proudly for 63 years... God bless the aircrew, maintainers, and support personnel of the 128th ARW!
All my F-111's were scrapped as fast as they could to prevent anybody thinking about using them again. Every airplane they want people to forget about they scrap ASAP, but we have three aircraft in a permanent place in the USAF Museum and quite a few places around the US and the UK and Australia. I guarantee you'll choke up everthime you think about any plane you worked on, long after they are gone.
I have seen many aircraft I have flown on and wrenched over the years go to the boneyard. Our Unit was the very last Unit to fly the C-119 and we took ours to the boneyard in 1975. I was a FE/FM on them for 8 1/2 years. Our Unit got C-130E’s after that. We got brand new C-130H’s in 1989 and now all of them have been retired ! I was a DCC on one of our C-130’s during Desert Storm in the Theater. I retired in 1998 with 31 years in the WVANG. I loved every minute of it, just wish I had taken many more pictures of all the birds I flew on and wrenched on over the years. Thank You for your service, GOD Bless !
As a A model Crew Chief ,always had a since of pride when she was airborne. You should be very proud of 0009, she served her country well.
A Models??? When and Where? I was at Fairchild then Castle AFB 81-85.
I was a Navigator with the 920th AREFS at Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Michigan from 1975 through 1979. I remember tankers coming over from the Wisconsin Air National Guard to shoot approaches at our field but they were KC 97L models. Things have certainly changed over the years. Best of luck and thanks for the memories.
After such a long service, perhaps this plane deserves to make its final flight to a museum rather than a boneyard. Preserve it for future generations.
Beautifully made video.
A fitting tribute.
I was a load planner for our squadron. Mighty 6AF was the base mover. I got to fly on them a number of time. Only plane in the fleet with a plywood deck. Thank you for taking the spear. My time is over and I’m glad I had the opportunity (was a 🦑)
I was a mechanic on 80019 and 80022 at Westover AFB MA in 1964, 59 years ago. In addition to refueling, they were PACCS airborne command posts.
A1C Bob
I was a 135 Crew Chief for 12 years. I miss those aircraft every day... Several of my aircraft are in the boneyard. would love to get there some day to see them before they are gone for good!!!
worked on KC-135A, D, R models EC-135A, L, G models. You are correct, NKAWTG. Nobody...
I may not remember every particular jet that I worked on throughout my career, but I will never forget the two that I was the lead Crew Chief on!! The first one was KC-135E, 57-2594, which, as far as I know, is actually still flying as an E with the Chilean Air Force!!! The other is KC-135R, 60-0358, which is also still flying with the 126th ARW at Scott AFB, and hopefully will be for many years to come!!!
Hey there. I’m a current crew chief at Scott. Thought you might like to know 60-0358 just got back from block 45 upgrade and will be flying for years to come. Fantastic jet, even gotten to take it TDY.
I wonder if she cleared the AFTO 781 K … I’m gonna lose sleep over that now.
Great story and very touching! American pride all the way through!
Touching video. A 1958 model (yeah, I saw the first flight date but the tail is 80009). When I was a Nav at Loring and Griffiss in the late 80's, early 90's I always thought it good luck if the plane was older than me. I'm a 1960 model. Sad that they're retiring her but satisfying knowing she served the United States well either sitting Alert or flying over war zones. Thank you for making me remember.
NKAWOTG, Nobody!
Just like 0009 C-5A retired from West Virginia ANG, I worked on that bird when assigned to the 443 MAW at Altus AFB, OK, from 1973 to 1976. Retired back in 2015.
My son is a boom operator on a KC-135. Yes, I'm proud.
I was an HC-130P crew chief, as well as an MC-130P crew chief, 65-0983 and 66-0223. I retired before either of them, but know 983 is at DM, 223 is at Sheppard as a trainer. I miss the days of beating on them at all hours trying to make a flight for a rescue mission.
1980 was the first time I laid a wrench on an airplane. It was a KC-135 "A" model at Grand Forks AFB ND. (sadly I don't remember the tail number, I didn't realize at the time how I would come to love this airframe)
43 years later I'm STILL an Aircraft Maintenance Technician in the civilian world and in all those years there has NEVER been another aircraft that has captured my affections quite like the KC-135 did.
My first, assigned as "Crew Chief" was tail number 60-0323 (Ellsworth AFB) It was an "A" model when I crewed her and her old corguard grey paint job was so ugly that I named her "Patches"
Over the years there were other aircraft I was assigned to.......
* EC-135 "A" 61-0287
* KC-135 "R" 59-1453 - My first "R" model (flew on her delivery flight from McConnell to Ellsworth as a newly minted "R" model.)
Later she helped me earn a "Master Crew Chief" patch.
* KC-135 "R" 60-0329 - 100+ Consecutive on-time departures while I crewed her at Castle AFB.
Worked on countless others but these four were "mine."
Every time I see a grey lady parked on a ramp somewhere I feel compelled to go there and just touch it. Crazy, huh?
I worked 60-0329 at Castle as 693 OMS, Autopilot. It's funny how you remember certain tail numbers.
As a tanker pilot on the kc135 a/q/r/t my gratitude to all of you for the amazing jobs you do. It’s sad when your plane goes to the boneyard, but the history of its keeping won’t be lost. My humble thanks for your unwavering support.
I’m a crew chief from the 1/51 ARW Utah Air 🎉national Guard. I retired seven years ago and come to find out the airplane. I retired from is going to the boneyard a couple of months. The day I retired my son took over the airplane, so I know how you feel. It was an awesome career. It’s even more fun watching my son going through his career. I.
Some of the best days of my life, being a Boomer back in the nineties on KC-135's.
All the B-52s I worked on are chopped-up scrap now, and too many of the KC-135s I worked on have go to the Boneyard. Cherish your time with 0009. It will remain with you forever.
Caught her at KBGR last year, grew up watching these tankers why whole life starting with the A models at Pease AFB and the 157th ARW.
What a sweetheart. Both the plane and the Crew Chief 😘
Great video! Thanks for sharing.
Aircrafts belongs to it's mechanics, pilots just borrow them.
And I've borrowed some good ones.#7999, 905th in Grand Forks did something like 100 flights in a row with an on time departure...best Chief on the base.
Thank you for your service, and your Dad!
Touching video. I worked on KC-135A 1973-1977, 00521 was the tail i was assigned at Griffiss AFB, NY. I got goose bumps when she lifted off the ground.
Cool and touching all at once
My Dad was Chief Sweeney Boom operator. Gosh hit my heart hearing this. As an airforce brat to a boom operator. I grew up so proud of my Dad
A sad day in history. I crewed 135s from 92-97 before switching to F16s. She is my first and true love and this honestly teared me up. She is the backbone of the air refueling bridge for such a long time and a long time to come. Reset easy 0009, your heart and organs will be passed on for many many years to come. 😞😞
Well done 128th. ARW. I share your feelings, crew chief on the early version KC-135A, 93rd. ARW at the former Castle AFB. Thank you all for your service.
I was at Castle 67/68 was chief of 136 (Horney Toad) in the boneyard now.
0009 You served the Air Force well!! GO AIR FORCE!!
My Dad flew KC135s out of Grissom (Bunker Hill then I believe) AFB Indiana in the mid 60s. There is a good chance he flew that aircraft. Thanks for posting he just past away in January. Great Memories.
One of the hardest working airframes the Air Force has ever had. Boeing sure built them well back in those days.
Where has the time gone. The KC10 I crewed in the early 90s is now at AMARG. I never thought that day would come. To soon imo. This old girl being a 1957 deserves her rest. Served with distinction. Sorry for the loss to all who crew these wonderful birds.
I still have memories of my short time on the C-135. I was a crew chief assigned to the VERY FIRST Production KC-135 right out of tech school. I was in the 8th ADCS at Tinker AFB, OK. My signature is somewhere in the hell hole of 55-3118 which now sits at the the gate of McConnell Air Force Base proudly displaying her Boom that was replaced once she was retired as a EC-135K model.
Man, you look at many of the aircraft in the USAF and USN and they don't look old at all, they appear modern and ready to work anytime, yet on their inside and bones, the structure keeps aging and giving away. They have served well, may they rest, respect to the crews.
That's a beautiful send-off. I feel that.
Enjoy your retirement 0009, you earned it. Thank you for your service. Ohhrahhh & Semper Fi
What a fantastic piece! Unsung heroes maintaining an under appreciated aircraft. Nothing gets done without gas! I’d say we got our money’s worth out of 0009!
Nice, beautiful aircraft. Rest in peace to all of our aircraft that have earned a chance to rest in the warm sunshine knowing they have performed their duty to perfection.
What a FANTASTIC story and a chapter in American history but for the United States Air Force . May she enjoy retirement as her old bones no doubt deserve it. Its a bittersweet time for anyone who’s ever flown her, maintained her and every pilot she has brought home.
Seen many kc-135 in my life. Great aircraft. Sad to see them slowly being retired
Wow, love this story chief, I was a 135 crew chief myself with 307 CAMS at Travis, don't know what happened to my tail number, probably retired too!
Wow, what an accomplishment! I can only imagine how these aircraft can become a part of you. Thank you for your service!🇺🇸👍🏻
I had the same job. Amazing how an aircraft can become such a part of you. I was so lucky that mine,60-0329, is now at NMUSAF in Ohio. I can drive and go see it.
I flew the first operational KC-135R, 61-0312, to AMARG back in 2013. I also had the privilege of crewing her on the final overseas mission, a few months earlier. We took her on a Pacific Aeromedical Evac run in Dec 2012/Jan 2013 and ended up saving a 6 day old baby. Flew him and his parents back from Japan, to medical care in San Diego. Quite the history in these jets!
I used to work on them at March ARB in the nineties. Also took hops to Hawaii and across Conus in them many times. Great airplane and I liked her much better than the KC10. I remember when we finally gave up all of our C141's. It's always a sad day to see your plane head to the boneyard, but know they did great service from Vietnam to Iraq at least.
It would be fascinating to see a report of her statistics. Miles flown, take offs and landings, fuel delivered, number and type of A/C refueled. Thank you for sharing. And thank you for serving, both you and 0009. Have a great day and stay safe.❤❤
Nicely done video!
I would not be surprised if after seeing this video that someone does not buy her and reconfigure her as a freighter, she would be in tip top shape for the job, i love the Boing 7-0-7.
Can't. Wings are fatigued.
Aside from the wings, the KC-135 is not FAA certified for civilian use (aside from a few ‘experimentals’), so cargo ops would be very expensive as you would have to pay the certification process…
The 135 is not a 707. It's related, but much is different. And it's not FAA certified so it would not go to commercial service. It's got a permanent home in the USAF Museum anyway.
The KC-135 as built was designated by Boeing as a B717.
Stamped right on the ident-a-plate in the crew entrance chute, but then they STOLE that designation after they bought McDonnell Douglass and gave it to One of the MD-8X airframes. Pissed me off to no end when they did that.
@@fdxdsm It is just a number. No reason to get angry about that.
Great tribute to a great airplane. I was stationed at Beale AFB Ca. 1974 to 1977 as an aircraft mechanic (43151E) on the KC-135Q refueling the SR-71 with JP-7. In those days the KC had the old J-57 turbojet. Very noisy and lots of black smoke on takeoff with water injection. Started out in SAC with the 456th OMS. Ended in the 9th as an assistant crew chief on aircraft 59-1464. The Air Force was a great way for a young kid to see the world and gain some great experiences. Would like to know if 1464 is still flying or in the boneyard.
Still flying brother: www.jetphotos.com/registration/59-1464
Also a 43151E, Chanute AFB for Tech school then Castle AFB for B-52's
I used to work on 580008. Great aircraft. 160th AREFG
Love the 135A’s especially on takeoff roll when steam came out of engines on throttle up.
I could not fly my plane to the boneyard, knowing it will be cut into scrap metal.
We know its just a machine but also it's much more than that. Brought a lump to my throat.
It would be nice to know the total aircraft hours. I flew on these aircraft as a boom operator in the early 70s out of Griffiss AFB. Regards.
Beautiful Story
Well that sucks. The KC135 is my favorite plane of all time.
I used to tow these and B 52s at Grand Forks AFB in Grand Forks. North Dakota (SAC).
I flew there, 1986 to 1993, what a good bunch of people, and their airplanes.
Such a cool story.
💙
There is a photo of 009 is in Wikipedia article about the 128 ARW.
I seen 58-0009 A couple times at Oshkosh airventure on static and In the air
I crew chief kc135as 1966. 1970 went to utapo Thailand Guam kadina Alaska England Spain loved it came out ssgt
This makes me wonder if my father flew this 135 he flew the first generation.
I was stationed at blythevilleafb 1966thru1970 crew chiefedkc135s flew all over Thailand Guam Okinawa England Spain Alaska wonderful experience
Farewell Balls 9 😢😢😢😢😢
There is a B-52 with the numbers 0008, or Balls 8. It was 8th bird out the door, and I think it is still flying as a launch vehicle for all the exciting planes that have flown there.
I check on my submarines regularly my first boat is parked next to the George Washington at Hanford WA
PS I’m an Air Force Sac Brat
1959, my year of birth. - Literally grew up with the 707/KC-135 as the epitome for progress and an era when the sky was the limit. Amazing that it has been kept in active service over such a long time span.
How many currently flying tankers have ANY metal parts from their first hour off the Boeing line? The tail number may be the same but the airframe is rebuilt how many times over since the day of delivery? :) :)
This plane is now by Davis-mothen (Don't mind spelling)? May she rest in peace in Retirement.
A 1960 built KC-135 Stratotanker.
Gas stations in the sky allowing a world wide presence of AirPower!
It’s all fun and games when you have a single KC-135 to work on… EXCEPT I HAVE 70 AND HATE EVERY SINGLE ONE
MKE General Mitchell International Airport Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Social Security eligible!🇺🇸
Lol
Was 0009 ever a “Q”
Shiiiit put me on the FCC program with her 😭
So why?
goodbye 707
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