National Museum of U.S. Air Force To Add Iconic KC-135 To Collection

This KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft became the first to refuel three aircraft at once during an emergency operation in 1967 in the Gulf of Tonkin.

Kimberly Johnson

Wednesday, April 20, 2022 at 05:07 PM ET

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This KC-135R Stratotanker became the first to refuel three aircraft at once during an emergency operation in 1967 in the Gulf of Tonkin. [Courtesy: Department of Defense]

Key Takeaways:

The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force (NMUSAF) is acquiring the historic KC-135R Stratotanker, serial number 60-0329, for its collection.
This aircraft is renowned for performing the first-ever tri-level aerial refueling operation in May 1967 during a combat rescue mission in the Gulf of Tonkin.
During this unprecedented feat, the KC-135 refueled two Navy A-3 tankers, which were simultaneously refueling two Navy F-8 fighters covering a downed pilot in hostile airspace.
The KC-135 aircrew's courageous actions earned them the 1967 Mackay Trophy for the most meritorious flight of the year, marking the first time a refueling crew received this award.

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The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force (NMUSAF) will soon add to its collection a KC-135R Stratotanker that is not only an example of one of the service’s most iconic aircraft, but also the first aircraft to conduct tri-level fueling.

The Air Force is retiring the aerial refueler with serial number 60-0329 after decades of service, and it is slated to be delivered to the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, museum on Saturday, April 30.