The Indispensables: KC-135 Air Refueling

The Indispensables: KC-135 Air Refueling - National Archives and Records Administration - ARC Identifier 64130 / Local Identifier 342-SFP-1797 - Department of Defense. Department of the Air Force. (09/26/1947 - ). This film tells the story of the "Tankers," the KC-135 aircraft that were used worldwide to refuel aircraft of the Air Force and Navy. Combat stories of refueling over Vietnam are related on camera by fighter pilots, bomber pilots, and famous generals.

[@Terribleguitarist89]

I've guarded my fair share of these. Amazing to think my grandfather and father were serving during this time and years later the same aircraft are on our flight line.

[@heribertawells387]

Worked on KC135s at Altus AFB Ok IFR maintenance 75-78 miss those birds.

[@MrGoodnplenty1957]

KC-135 Boom here from 1980-1986, then KC-10's from 1986-1999. i remember those old headsets (put athletic wrist bands around them for comfort). good thing was we didn't have to wear our helmets during refueling. and i could never forget those "alert duties"...FOR ALERT FORCE, FOR ALERT FORCE, KLAXON, KLAXON, KLAXON.

[@JOSECANUCCJ]

Loved those 1505 uniforms. Notice the embroidered rank and wings on the one-star.

[@xxDonOrlandoccoachxx]

Old home week! From an old crew dog. KC- EC-135 IN and stan eval member. Young Tiger as well

[@irishriot_m20j]

Were you with the 70th ARS?

[@TheFredSaunders]

My unit, the 4252nd Strat Wing, off loaded a record amount of fuel during the time I spent at Okinawa 1965 to 1967. We kept the planes flying on their missions to Vietnam. We were known as the "Young Tigers"!

[@leeperkins4690]

909th Air Refueling Squadron

[@allgood6760]

Awesome stuff👍✈️

[@daledavidson3681]

Nice video. Spent many hours watching refueling next to boomer after a 3 hour preflight early AM as a crew chief out of Fairchild and tour in U-Tapao.

[@ducky1776]

I remember having 7995 as one of my aircraft as a mx officer.

[@trevorwhitaker8871]

It’s now a jet that I work on today. She’s one of the best we got

[@JOSECANUCCJ]

My favorite part of this is at the beginning, when the Boomer brings the nice Nav a cup of coffee! "Hey Boom, how about a cup of coffee?" [I'm a retired tanker nav]

[@mcahill135]

LC, AC, in the KC - Best job in the Air Force LC= LtCol AC= Aircraft Commander KC= KC-135

[@afboomer08]

Classic! Best tanker video out there, in my opinion.

[@oisiaa]

GREAT VIDEO!!

[@mgomez5606]

F-4’s were known not to want to let go of the nozzle.

[@JOSECANUCCJ]

Ah, those "elephant walks". Those were NOT the days!

[@TheFredSaunders]

Gen Tyler got his star while commander with the 4252nd Strat Wing.

[@findafire]

J-57s gangs and gangs of them 52's and 135's SAC it was the best of time and worst of times!

[@JOSECANUCCJ]

I knew the boomer [Campbell, I believe was his name] near the end-he was the one who pumped gas to a USN tanker who let the fuel pass on to the Navy fighters, saving all of them. [The KC-135 could refuel only one at a time, while the Navy tanker could do more than one]. The rumor was that the USAF was going to hang the crew for doing something so out of the ordinary, but once word got out, their feat was recognized.

[@jessevadney9458]

Kc135 crew chief blytheville afb ark slso utapo thailand. 1966 thru1970

[@gnarlyharley71]

@mcahill135 Cool video Bro!

[@mcahill135]

Oh how I miss SAC alert!

[@scootertooter6874]

Me too. ICBMs here....1983-87

[@JOSECANUCCJ]

OH no-riding IN THE BED of the pickups, WITHOUT HELMETS, during the response. How did they ever survive?

[@cousteau135]

Last time I checked, our alert facility needed a little gardening... Booms? By the way, can I get a water too?

[@allgood6760]

Mating Dragonflies!

[@rogerlooney6045]

My old tail #

[@TheJetbreaker]

once again...ground crew ain't work looking at...its a good thing aircrew can manage to do every bit of the work required to meet these missions because otherwise you might think a mechanic was important...

[@Lemev]

The pilot looks like president Kennedy!!!!!