Rolled out in August 1961 as a C-135A, after service with MATS, 60-0374 was converted to an EC-135N Apollo Range Instrumention Aircraft (ARIA) by Douglas Tulsa and Bendix as a mobile tracking and telemetry platform to support the Apollo space program and other unmanned space flight operations. After the Apollo program ended it was renamed Advanced Range Instrumentation Aircraft and was transferred from Patrick AFB to the 4950th Test Wing, Wright-Patterson AFB, being TF33 re-engined to become an EC-135E in 1982. Passing to the 412th TW, Edwards in 1994, it was retired to the NMUSAF in Nov 2000

Originally built as a C-135B. Later converted to an EC-135E, later EC-135N, RC-135X, and RC-135S. Slide taken by Mr. Ron McNeil.

Departing March AFB late in the afternoon was EC-135E "RICK 25"

On display at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. With its unmistakable "Droop Snoot" nose, "Bird of Prey" is one of eight modified C-135s that was a joint project between NASA and the DoD to provide mobile tracking and telemetry as an Apollo/Range Instrumentation Aircraft (A/RIA). It became operational in Jan. 1968 and went on to serve with the 4950th Test Wing and 412th Test Wing over a 32-year career. The bulbous nose contains a steerable seven-foot antenna.

EC-135E parked alongside another on the March tarmac back in June 1984

Coming down from Edwards, this EC-135E worked the pattern for a bit late on a January afternoon in 1996

This Advanced Range Instrument Aircraft (ARIA)'The Bird of Prey' arrived at the National Museum of the USAF in Nov. 2000 after a 32-year service life.

A row of tails with a difference...no tails! Fortunately the hulks can often be identified using the AMARG Inventory number.