Previously Held AFSC/MOS 42452-Inflight Refueling Specialist
42472-Inflight Refueling Technician
Service Years
1955 - 1977
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
What are you doing now:
After I retired in 1977, I worked as the Department Supervisor of the CAD department for Horizons Inc., a digital photometric firm (aerial photography and mapping) for twenty years. Currently working part time at a Harley-Davidson dealership I helped get off the ground in 2000.
1962-1977, KC-135 Stratotanker
From Year 1962
To Year 1977
Personal Memories
306 Air Refueling Squadron 1962-1967 28 Air Refueling Squadron 1967-1977
Image
KC-135 Stratotanker Details
Aircraft/Missile Information
The Boeing Company's model 367-80 was the basic design for the commercial 707 passenger plane as well as the KC-135A Stratotanker. In 1954 the Air Force purchased the first 29 of its future 732-plane fleet. The first aircraft flew in August 1956 and the initial production Stratotanker was delivered to Castle Air Force Base, Calif., in June 1957. The last KC-135 was delivered to the Air Force in 1965.
Of the original KC-135A's, more than 415 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.
Specifications StatsCentral Model Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker Length 136.25 ft | 41.53 m Width 130.84 ft | 39.88 m Height 41.67 ft | 12.70 m Engine(s) 4 x CFM F108 turbofan engines generating 22,000lbs of thrust each. Empty Weight 106,307 lbs | 48,220 kg MTOW 322,503 lbs | 146,285 kg Max Speed 610 mph | 982 km/h | 530 kts Max Range 2,880 miles | 4,635 km Ceiling 41,719 ft | 12,716 m | 7.9 miles Climb Rate 1,290 ft/min (393.2 m/min) Hardpoints 0 Armament None. Accommodations 3
