Engineering:57-1419
57-1419 is the tail number of an individual Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker. It is currently the oldest aircraft in active United States military service.[1] As of 2013, 57-1419 had 22,300 flight hours.[2]
57-1419 was built in 1957 as a KC-135A and was assigned to Strategic Air Command (SAC).[2][3] The aircraft went on to be assigned to SAC Wings in Washington, North Dakota, Kansas, Georgia and Japan. In 1991, while serving with the 92nd Wing at Fairchild Air Force Base, 57-1419 was re-engined with its Pratt & Whitney J57 turbojets being replaced with the more efficient CFM International F108 turbofans, leading to the airframe being redesignated as a KC-135R.[3][4]
By 2008, 57-1419 was assigned to the 190th Air Refueling Wing of the Kansas Air National Guard.[3] It then transferred to the New Hampshire ANG's 157th Air Refueling Wing, before being assigned to its current unit – the 161st Air Refueling Wing of the Arizona ANG in 2019.[2][5]
References
- ↑ Everstine, Brian (June 29, 2018). "The Oldest Jet in the Air Force, Refueling Bombers on the Frontline in the Pacific". Air and Space Forces Magazine. https://www.airandspaceforces.com/the-oldest-jet-in-the-air-force-refueling-bombers-on-the-frontline-in-the-pacific/.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Johnson, Mandy. "Oldest jet in the Air Force returns home". United States Air Force. https://www.190arw.ang.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/864023/oldest-jet-in-the-air-force-returns-home/.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Kula, Ken. "Stratotanker 57-1419 "Goes West", But That's Good Thing!". https://photorecon.net/stratotanker-57-1419-goes-west-but-thats-a-good-thing/.
- ↑ Baugher, Joe. "1957 USAF Serial Numbers". https://www.aircraftinformation.info/JB_AIF/usaf_serials/1957.html.
- ↑ Haas, Kimberley (March 24, 2019). "Sendoff for an old friend at Air National Guard Base at Pease". New Hampshire Union Leader. https://www.unionleader.com/news/history/sendoff-for-an-old-friend-at-air-national-guard-base-at-pease/article_84640758-520e-54c5-9732-d1f9b62c240b.html.
External links
 |  |
