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  • Retired crew chief reminisces about 60 years of KC-135 airpower

    On June 28, 1957, the Air Force received its first KC-135 Stratotankers.Retired Chief Master Sgt. Bobby McCasland, a former crew chief, was part of the crew that picked up the first aircraft, tail number 55-3127, from Larson Air Force Base, Washington, and delivered it to the 93rd Air Refueling

  • Crew chief continues grandfather’s legacy

    For more than 50 years, generations of Airmen have put their blood, sweat, and tears in the KC-135 Stratotanker. For Senior Airman Tomorian Montgomery, the legacy and tradition of working on this aircraft is in his blood. In October of 1963, John Gilbert, Montgomery's grandfather, enlisted into the

  • 60 YEARS IN THE AIR: Generations of KC-135 Maintainers

    (Editor's note: This article is part of a series looking back on the history of the KC-135 Stratotanker throughout the decades, leading up to the 60th anniversary of the KC-135's first flight on August 31, 2016.)Families often carry a profession through their generations. For Staff Sgt. Austin

  • 60 YEARS IN THE AIR: KC-135 supports war on terrorism

    (Editor's note: This article is part of a series looking back on the history of the KC-135 Stratotanker throughout the decades, leading up to the 60th anniversary of the KC-135's first flight on August 31, 2016.)The day began as a normal day of post-mission crew rest. The pilot sat down to watch TV,

  • 60 YEARS IN THE AIR: A navigator’s journey

    (Editor's note: This article is part of a series looking back on the history of the KC-135 Stratotanker throughout the decades, leading up to the 60th anniversary of the KC-135's first flight in August 2016.)His grandfather sparked an interest and planted a dream of a future in aviation in him at a

  • 60 YEARS IN THE AIR: Becoming a boom

    (Editor's note: This article is part of a series looking back on the history of the KC-135 Stratotanker throughout the decades, leading up to the 60th anniversary of the KC-135's first flight in August 2016.)From an early age, Airman 1st Class Shelby Bowling, 350th Air Refueling Squadron boom

  • 60 YEARS IN THE AIR: A pilot's perspective

    (Editor's note: This article is part of a series looking back on the history of the KC-135 Stratotanker throughout the decades, leading up to the 60th anniversary of the KC-135's first flight in August 2016.)Many kids entertain big dreams about growing up to become a doctor, a lawyer or even a

  • 60 YEARS IN THE AIR: KC-135 arrives at McConnell

    (Editor's note: This article is part of a series looking back on the history of the KC-135 Stratotanker throughout the decades, leading up to the 60th anniversary of the KC-135's first flight in August 2016.)For the past several decades, McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., has served as home to one of

  • 60 YEARS IN THE AIR: KC-135 supports Gulf War contingencies

    (Editor's note: This article is part of a series looking back on the history of the KC-135 Stratotanker throughout the decades, leading up to the 60th anniversary of the KC-135's first flight in August 2016.)In 1990, KC-135 Stratotankers answered a new call for help during Operation Desert Shield,

  • 60 YEARS IN THE AIR: The KC-135 during the Vietnam War

    (Editor's note: This article is part of a series looking back on the history of the KC-135 Stratotanker throughout the decades, leading up to the 60th anniversary of the KC-135's first flight in August 2016.)"Mayday! Mayday! Mayday! We've been struck by a missile," called the voice on the radio.The