KC-135E tanker set to retire Published Sept. 24, 2009 By Howdy Stout Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- This model showed her legs on the runway to a small crowd of admirers one last time before retiring at the age of 51. But the runway wasn't in the limelight of fashionable New York or Paris. It was under the hot Arizona sun of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and the adjacent 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group. It is the end of an era as the last KC-135E model retired September 23 after more than 50 years of service. The aircraft, tail number 56-3630, made one last high-speed pass before settling on the runway and heading for the so-called "Boneyard" where good Air Force planes go to spend their golden years. "However, it is not yet meeting its death," says Colonel Robert Torick, Commander of the 827th Aircraft Sustainment Group. "For the next several years, it and its other previously retired sister aircraft will be used to keep the C/KC-135 fleet and other Department of Defense aircraft flying by providing parts to satisfy critical supply needs." The Air Force, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard units are retiring the KC-135E models, placing 74 of them in storage for potential reactivation if necessary. The remaining 417 KC-135R and T models, with upgraded avionics and engines, will remain in service through the year 2040 until replaced by the new KC-X tanker. "The retirement of the KC-135E fleet began in 2004," Col. Torick explains. "The 827th Aircraft Sustainment Group, formerly known as the KC-135 System Program Office, has been coordinating their retirement and disposition." The retirement of the older KC-135 tankers is in anticipation of the awarding of a contract for the construction of a new air-to-air refueling tanker, dubbed KC-X. The contract, though, has been dogged by controversy. A consortium of Airbus and Northrop Grumman beat out Boeing last year for the new tanker contract, only to have the contract cancelled by the Government Accountability Office amid allegations of improper procurement procedures. A new contract is expected to be awarded sometime next year. The Air Force first pioneered air-to-air refueling techniques in the 1920s, but it wasn't until the 1950s that the techniques involved were solidified and the practice became widespread. Based on the precursor to the Boeing 707, the first successful American passenger jet, the KC-135 was the Air Force's first jet-powered refueling tanker. Entering service in 1957, the aircraft was originally tasked with the refueling of the Air Force's strategic bombers. But by the mid-1960s, the tankers were regularly used to support operations in Vietnam. By refueling airborne fighters and fighter-bombers, aircraft could carry larger bomb loads and spend more time on-station rather than shuttling to and from airfields for refueling. The aircraft were also instrumental in refueling battle-damaged and fuel-leaking aircraft, keeping them airborne until they could reach friendly airfields. Among the oldest in the KC-135 fleet most of the E models were passing 50 years of age and slated for retirement. "The retiring KC-135Es were all built from 1956 to 1961," Mr. Douglas Williams, the Air Vehicle Distribution Officer with the 827th Aircraft Sustainment Group said. "On average, they had over 18,000 flying hours each." Of the aircraft being retired, 74 will remain in what is called inviolate storage, that is, ready for regeneration and return to active service if necessary. Others will be stripped of usable parts and equipment as needed to keep the remaining KC-135 fleet airborne. Of the 808 aircraft originally purchased, 417 R and T models will remain in service. Additionally, there are 30 special purpose variants of the C-135 operated by Air Combat Command at Offutt AFB, Nebraska that remain in service. "The KC-135 R and T model aircraft are not much younger, being built from 1957 to 1964, than their sister aircraft being retired," Mr. Williams said. "However, they do have more modernized avionics and have been modified with the F-108 turbofan engine. These engines are much more economical and, due to their improved performance, allows the aircraft to offload more fuel per sortie." Today, the Air Force's remaining KC-135 and KC-10 tankers work around the clock as a "force multiplier" by refueling aircraft engaged in global operations. Using Multi-Point Refueling Kits attached to the wingtips, the aircraft are also capable of refueling US Navy and NATO aircraft that use a different refueling system than the US Air Force. "Without tanker gas," says Col. Torick, "the ability to engage or sustain the Air Order of Battle simply isn't there. The KC-135 fleet is there to support all US services, NATO and other allies." The KC-135 is one of a handful of aircraft - including the C-130 - to see continuous military service for more than 50 years. By the time the aircraft are finally retired in 2040, they will have been flying for nearly 80 years. Ten of the E models are being preserved as static displays at various locations. They will be used at Sheppard AFB, Texas to train future airmen to maintain and operate the 135 fleet. Tinker's Air Park already has a version of the KC-135 on display painted in Air Force One colors. Col. Torick and a delegation from the 827th Aircraft Sustainment Group were on hand for this aircraft's final flight from Bangor ANGB, Maine, to Tucson, Arizona. The aircraft was the last E model stationed at the Maine Air National Guard's 101st Air Refueling Squadron and was awaiting Congressional approval for retirement. "For the 827th ACSG, this is a bittersweet day," Col. Torick said. "While we close this chapter, the air refueling mission story continues. We say goodbye to a real workhorse who has played a critical role in the success of the USAF mission over the last 50-plus years."