Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker FLAG BACKGROUND
by Arthur Eggers
Title
Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker FLAG BACKGROUND
Artist
Arthur Eggers
Medium
Digital Art - Color Print
Description
Rickenbacker ANGB is a former United States Air Force Strategic Air Command (SAC) base previously named Lockbourne AFB and later Rickenbacker AFB. Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base is an Air National Guard facility of the Ohio Air National Guard. The base was named for the famous early aviator and Columbus native Eddie Rickenbacker. It is the home of the United States Air Force's 121st Air Refueling Wing (121 ARW), which serves as the host wing and is an Air National Guard (ANG) unit operationally-gained by the Air Mobility Command (AMC). The 121 ARW mission is to provide in-flight air refueling support to Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and allied aircraft, on a worldwide, daily basis. It operates the KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft conducting aerial refueling missions. The 121 ARW is one of three "super wings" in the Air National Guard. The 121ARWs KC-135 Stratotanker mission is to provide the core aerial refueling capability for the U.S. Air Force and the Air National Guard. This unique aircraft enhances the Air Force's capability to accomplish its primary missions of Global Reach and Global Power. It also provides aerial refueling support to Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and allied nation aircraft. The squadron accomplishes aeromedical evacuations for military and civilian members, transporting patients to as far away as the United States when necessary. 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. 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.
Uploaded
April 26th, 2014
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