Recently, Simple Flying was allowed the extreme honor to fly along with one of Fairchild Air Force Base’s Boeing KC-135R with the serial 62-3502. That means the KC-135 was ordered by the US Air Force in 1962 and according to Planespotters.net delivered in October 1962, the very same month of the Cuban Missile Crisis - a key point in the Cold War.
Yet today’s KC-135 is upgraded and able to continue refueling aircraft. Before a report on the flight, one should remember that the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker’s mission is not to serve as a flying living history museum. Rather, the KC-135’s primary job is to be a flying gas station with a secondary freight hauling role of up to 83,000 pounds (37,648 kilograms) and according to a US Air Force fact sheet 37 passengers.
That is less than what a 707, which the KC-135 is based on, can carry but the KC-135 is configured for hauling cargo first while having seats along the fuselage and slots to secure seats along the floor.. There are .
Even though it is due to be retired, the KC-46 will remain in service with the USAF for a decade or more. The KC-135 can carry 200,000 pounds (90,719 kilograms) of jet fuel to offload to needy aircraft, whether they be a F-15C or F-15EX Eagle on a combat air patrol mission, a F-35A about to self-protect while penetrating enemy airspace, an E-3 Sentry ready to provide airborne warning and control systems, or even another tanker. Additionally, there are some KC-135s modified with hose and basket system.
