- published: 01 Sep 2015
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The Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker is an aerial refueling military aircraft. It and the Boeing 707 airliner were developed from the Boeing 367-80 prototype. The KC-135 was the US Air Force's first jet-powered refueling tanker and replaced the KC-97 Stratotanker. The Stratotanker was initially tasked to refuel strategic bombers, but was used extensively in the Vietnam War and later conflicts such as Operation Desert Storm to extend the range and endurance of US tactical fighters and bombers.
Serving with the United States Air Force (USAF) since 1957, it is one of just 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. Despite increased maintenance costs, studies conclude many of the aircraft could be flown until 2040. The aircraft will be replaced by the Boeing KC-46.
Like its sibling, the commercial Boeing 707 jet airliner, the KC-135 was derived from the Boeing 367-80 jet transport "proof of concept" demonstrator, which was commonly called the "Dash-80". As such the KC-135 is similar in appearance to the 707, but has a narrower fuselage and is shorter than the 707. The KC-135 predates the 707, and is structurally quite different from the civilian airliner. Boeing gave the future KC-135 tanker the initial designation Model 717.
Look out into the freeway eyes of the party. Look out into the dark spring sky at the party. You'd rather be anywhere than with this guy at the party. And now I'm taking it way too hard, I'm so fucking sorry. And now I know that I will become everything I hate eventually. And it puts me back in high school when I wanted to be cooler than I'd ever be. So I went walking from the party, Milwaukee Milwaukee. Walked out into the dark spring sky, left you hammered next to some other guys. Back in my bedroom red lights flashed. Its the first time that I ate food just because I was sad. And what do you care? What do you care? What do you care about?