United States Air Force
8 Apr 1958

A Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker established a world, non-stop, unrefueled record for a flight from Tokyo to Lajes Air Base in the Azores. The flight took 18 hours 45 minutes and covered 10,229.3 miles.

During the course of the flight a world speed record between Tokyo and Washington, DC., of 13 hours 45 minutes 46.5 seconds (492.26 mph) was also established.

The crew is shown in this photo taken at Castle AFB, Merced, CA., home of the 93rd Bomb Wing. Left to right: Brig. Gen. William E. Eubank Jr. (comander of the 93rd Bomb Wing), Lt. Col. Kenneth R. Rea (Commander of the 93rd Air Refueling Squadron), MajCecil Wells (Pilot), Capt George Henriet (Navigator), Capt. James F. A. O'Shea (Navigator), M/Sgt Gordon Stoddard (Boom Operator), M/Sgt James W. Bridges (Crew Chief), and T/Sgt Clifton E. Pfleger.