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Dense cloud creates unique photo op

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  • 434th ARW Public Affairs
GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. --  While not quite the fog of war, a fog did envelop Grissom's war machines recently.

The fog descended upon the base in the early morning hours of the August unit training assembly and covered the area for several hours, impacting several planned squadron photos.

Despite this hindrance, Tech. Sgt. Mark Orders-Woempner, 434th Air Refueling Wing public affairs specialist, took the opportunity to snap several photographs of a Grissom KC-135R Stratotanker, tail number 63-7996, in the thick fog.

This specific KC-135 was originally built in 1963 and has been serving in the Air Force fleet since that time. There were 732 KC-135s built for the U.S. Air Force between 1957 and 1965.

The aircraft provide the core aerial refueling capability for the U.S. Air Force, refueling U.S., NATO and allied aircraft throughout the world. There are 16 of the aircraft assigned to the 434th ARW, making it the largest KC-135 unit in the Air Force Reserve Command.

Four turbofans, mounted under 35-degree swept wings, power the KC-135 to takeoffs at gross weights up to 322,500 pounds and can propel the jet up to 600 mph with a range of 1,500 miles with 150,000 pounds of transfer fuel or over 11,000 miles on a ferry mission.

Nearly all internal fuel can be pumped through the flying boom, the KC-135's primary fuel transfer method. During flight, the boom lowers and extends to connect with other aircraft and can refuel them at a rate of approximately 1,000 gallons per minute.

For more information on the KC-135 click here.

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(Editor's note: Story compiled by 434th ARW public affairs staff)

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