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KC-135 nose art used to beautify base

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jami Lancette
  • 434th ARW Public Affairs
Since World War I, American aviators have adorned the nose of their aircraft with art representing a piece of who they were, where they came from or that in which they believed.

Now, such art, which was normally only able be appreciated up close to an aircraft, is on display for all to see as the 434th Air Refueling Wing recently installed nose art depictions along Hoosier Boulevard.

The 16 nose art designs, installed on light posts along the base's main thoroughfare, are exact copies of what are found on Grissom's KC-135R Stratotankers. The road-side artwork even includes the corresponding tail numbers for each jet.

Grissom's beauty is often compared to that of a college campus, and Senior Master Sgt. Charles Hoover, 434th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron flight chief, said the goal was to both add to that beauty and show pride in the base's aircraft.

"It really adds to the beautification when you come on base," said Hoover, who added that all the nose art was specifically chosen for each aircraft by Grissom's crew chiefs for various reasons.

Five of the art pieces were chosen to represent the surrounding communities.

"We wanted to include the surrounding community in the nose art on our planes," explained Hoover. "We have really good support from our local communities and we wanted [them] involved."

The remaining 11 represent various themes from sports native to the Hoosier state to aviation achievements and significant American events.

One 434th AMXS crew chief, Tech. Sgt. Josh Hardin, is particularly fond of his aircraft's nose art. Aircraft 58-0076 nicknamed 'Spirit of '76' has nose art depicting two revolutionary war drummers and a flute player marching on through the war followed by an American flag.

"This nose art represents the sacrifice that people made to make this country free," said Hardin. Many of the other 434th AMXS crew chiefs shared similar stories of pride in their aircrafts' art.

The 434th AMXS is part of the 434th Air Refueling Wing, the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Airmen from the 434th ARW routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission and U.S. strategic objectives.

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Public Affairs Staff

Material contained on the Official Grissom Air Reserve Base Internet Web Site is written and produced by members of the 434th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Office. The award-winning staff includes:

Ben Mota
Chief, public affairs

Maj. Elias Zani
Public affairs officer

Master Sgt. Wendy Day
Staff writer

Tech. Sgt. Alexa Culbert
Staff writer

Senior Airman Elise Faurote
Staff writer

Senior Airman Benjamin Cowles
Staff writer