How many KC-135s have crashed?
As of 2020, 52 Stratotankers have been lost to accidents during the over sixty years of service, involving 385 fatalities. USAF KC-135A, serial number 56-3599, stalled and crashed at Westover Air Force Base after the crew failed to extend the flaps on takeoff, killing all 15 on board.
How many KC-135 are there in the Air Force?
550 KC-135
The US Air Force has about 550 KC-135 Stratotankers in service. The USAF selected Rockwell Collins to carry out the modernisation of the avionics system under the KC-135 Pacer CRAG (compass, radar and global positioning system) programme.
Can you bail out of a KC-135?
KC-135s have no ejection seats. “If you’re not right-side up, it’s impossible to bail out,” said retired KC-135 pilot Bill Fisher, 82, of Norman, Okla., who flew the airplane from 1958 to 1972. Fisher said he never had to evacuate.
Where do boom operators get stationed?
All boom operators first receive a month of training in flying tankers at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas. After this they spend three weeks in survival training. The boom operators of Boeing KC-135 Stratotankers are trained at Altus Air Force Base for four months.
How much does an Air Force boom operator make?
Air Force Boom Operator Salary
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | |
|---|---|---|
| Top Earners | $98,000 | $8,166 |
| 75th Percentile | $65,000 | $5,416 |
| Average | $56,702 | $4,725 |
| 25th Percentile | $32,000 | $2,666 |
What is a KC-135 boom operator?
Operating a specialized boom from the back of a KC-135, In-flight Refueling Specialists pump thousands of gallons of jet fuel into aircraft in need of fuel.
Can a Stratotanker refuel itself?
The KC-135 Stratotanker provides the core aerial refueling capability for the United States Air Force and has excelled in this role for more than 60 years. This unique asset enhances the Air Force’s capability to accomplish its primary mission of global reach.
Can a KC-135 refuel a helicopter?
All boom-equipped tankers (e.g. KC-135 Stratotanker, KC-10 Extender, KC-46 Pegasus) have a single boom, and can refuel one aircraft at a time with this mechanism.
What ASVAB score do you need to be a boom operator?
ASVAB score of 55 on General. Physical qualification for in-flight refueling duty.
What was the cause of the KC 135 crash?
Air Mobility Command has released the results of an accident investigation that examined what caused the May 3, 2013, crash of a KC-135 Stratotanker in the Kyrgyz Republic. The crew of three, en route from the Transit Center at Manas to Afghanistan on a combat aerial refueling mission, perished in the mishap.
When did the Boeing KC 135 enter service?
The KC-135 entered service with the United States Air Force (USAF) in 1957; it is one of six military fixed-wing aircraft with over 50 years of continuous service with its original operator. The KC-135 is supplemented by the larger KC-10. Studies have concluded that many of the aircraft could be flown until 2030,…
Is it safe to fly a KC 135?
The list includes KC-135, RC-135, and EC-135 aircraft. Even a brief look at this listing shows that flying the KC-135 and similar aircraft was anything but safe. Since the R model conversion the safety record has been on par with that of any modern airliner. In-flight collision with a B-52.
Who was the pilot of the KC 135 Stratotanker?
The KC-135A-BN Stratotanker, No. 60-0361, had three instructor pilots aboard the aircraft: Lieutenant Colonel Michael W. Cornett, Captain Christopher Chapman, and Captain Frank B. Johnson. But no one on the ground at Fairchild knew who was actually in command of the aircraft when it took off.