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

Verified

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 is acquiring KC-135R Stratotanker 60-0329, an iconic aircraft retiring after decades of service.
This specific KC-135 is historically significant for being the first aircraft to conduct tri-level aerial refueling.
The unprecedented refueling occurred in May 1967 in the Gulf of Tonkin, where the KC-135 refueled two Navy tankers while they simultaneously refueled two Navy fighters protecting a downed pilot.
For this daring and life-saving combat mission, the KC-135 aircrew was awarded the 1967 Mackay Trophy for the most meritorious flight of the year.

See a mistake? Contact us.

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.