This tanker was rolled out as a KC-135A-BN in January 1961 and was first based at Wurtsmith AFB, MI, going to the 70th BW, Clinton-Sherman AFB, OK by 1967. While on refuelling ops in the Gulf of Tonkin in May 1967, it received an emergency request from six Navy aircraft which were dangerously low on fuel while helping with the rescue of a downed airman. A daisy chain via two A-3 tankers allowed the F-8s and F-4s which otherwise could not get back to their carrier to be refuelled, winning the USAF crew the 1967 Mackay Trophy. Re-engined to KC-135R spec in 1986, to USAFM April 2022

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

OLIVE33 from Al Udeid

"RUMMY 85" KC-135T on a Coronet West launch dragging F-16's from the 121FS to Hawaii

date range is an estimate. Location needs confirmation, as the background does not look familiar. Photographer unknown

Delivered to the USAF as C-135B 61-2666 in 1962. Converted to a WC-135B in 1965 and designated as a Constant Phoenix. Used to collect atmospheric samples for the purpose of detecting and identifying nuclear explosions. Converted to a WC-135W in 1995 then converted to an NC-135W around 2003 for use as a test aircraft for RC-135 projects. Stored at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ in 2023.

Delivered to the USAF as C-135B 61-2674 in 1962. Converted to a WC-135B in 1965 and used for weather sampling. Converted to an OC-135B Open Skies platform in 1992/93. Stored at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ in 1997.

Assigned to the 100th ARW and named High Life. The aircraft is pictured shortly after arriving back from maintenance in the US and is still devoid of unit markings.