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Description
| Notes: KC-135A modified for deployment control. | ||
| Manufacturer: | Boeing | |
| Base model: | C-135 | |
| Designation: | EC-135 | |
| Version: | K | |
| Nickname: | Stratolifter | |
| Designation System: | U.S. Air Force | |
| Designation Period: | 1925-1962 | |
| Basic role: | Transport | |
| Modified Mission: | Special electronic installation | |
Specifications
| Not Yet Available |
Recent comments by our visitors
| John Zilavy Hershey, PA | I was part of 7 live crew as we called our selves, as Radio Operator and the last soul off 118 and that ill fated day in Saudi.
Also I was on the crew on the last flight of last flight of 118 in ACC and the 8th ACCS. Crew that day the I can remember: AC: Squadron CC LTC Gerry Pilot: ? Nav: Maj John Parrish FE: MSGT Ed Garza ? RO/CSO Msgt John Zilavy Stews: MSGT Mike Payne SSGT Don Burton Crew Chief: Dave Felty I guess I was considered of one the old timers when we closed down. I can add my name to the list of personnel that spent more than 10 years in the 8th. Some of the names that have left comments I can remember them well with fond memories. The 8th TDCS/ACCS had the best maintained aircraft and personnel USAF. 08/08/2008 @ 19:20 [ref: 22397] |
| Robert Griffith Spokane, WA | I am still Life Support by heart, but the 8TDCS was my first Unit in Mar 89 through Aug 91. Irony and possibly destiny sets as I am now probably on my last airframe in my career with the 135 @ fairchild. I grew up 30 Miles West of Wichita, KS where 3118 now sits. I barely remember any of my fellow Squadron Members from back then, but I am sure the Colonel will remember Ochoa. I do. 07/22/2008 @ 09:57 [ref: 22211] |
| Nelson Ketch Wade, ME | I was just on Youtube and they have a couple of Boeing test vids of 55-3118 first flights. I was a Comm Tech in the 8th from 86-89 otherwise I was stuck in AWACS from 81-99. Best job I'll ever have was my 3 years in the 8th. 07/03/2008 @ 10:27 [ref: 21751] |
| Ron Solis , MD | My apoligies Chief Ken Witkin for mispronouncing you name. 04/29/2008 @ 16:00 [ref: 20750] |
| Ron Solis Edgewater, MD | Chief Watkins
I agree there should be one reunion and I feel Oklahoma is the place. The last place our three outstand aircrafts were stationed as a group. We had an outstanding turnout last year and this year it appears as though we are headed to another great reunion. The reunion is on for JUNE 28TH and anyone associated with the 8th past or present is welcomed to attend. Last year's golf outing was alot of fun as I'm sure this year's will be. Just email me with the number of adults and children in you're party and I will ensure they are placed on the list of attendees. I hope to see you there if not this year maybe next year. And to those out there that were part of the 8th TDCS that would like to attend, you are welcomed. Hope to hear for many out there. Fairwell fellow 8th members and see you in Oklahoma. 04/29/2008 @ 15:53 [ref: 20749] |
| CMSgt Ken Witkin, USAF (Ret.) Fort Washington, MD | I served as an airborne radio operator/airborne communications systems operator & communications team chief on the TAC ACP/ABNCP/TDCA from July 1971 to Aug 1977. I was also the 8 ACCS/8 TDCS NCOIC of Communications and Director of Communications from 1974-1977. Lt Col Ted Buck was the squadron commander when I arrived in July 1971. He was replaced by Col Jim Bennington around 1973 and Jim Bennington was replaced by Col Dick Hedge around 1975.
There were two TAC ABNCPs at Seymour Johnson AFB during my tour there: 55-3118 (The City of Renton), the first KC-135A to roll off the Boeing assembly line and 62-3536, which was formerly used by NASA as a zero-gravity test bed for astronauts. Aircraft 55-3118 was also used as the COMTAC Command Aircraft for former TAC generals William Momyer and Robert Dixon. Because the 8th ACCS was not a part of the World-Wide Airborne Command Post System (WWABNCP), someone in SAC complained to the Air Staff about the “airborne command post” designation being used by 8th ACCS personnel and in 1973 the Air Staff dictated that the 8th ACCS be changed to the 8th TDCS and the designation “airborne command post” not be used any more by 8th personnel. Very few people know that 55-3118 was used to transport Henry Kissinger, our former Secretary of State, to China in early 1971. The mission was so "close-hold" that the White House did not want the 89th MAW to use one of their VC-137 aircraft for the mission so they contacted HQ Air Force and the Vice Chief of Staff chose to send 55-3118 on the mission, together with a Det 2, 4500 Support Squadron (former designation for the 8 ACCS) aircrew on board. The squadron commander, Lt Col Ted Buck, served as the aircraft commander and the NCOIC of Communications, SMSgt Bob Simpson, served as the radio/teletype operator. My 7 years at Seymour Johnson flying on the TAC ABNCP were some of the best years of my 30-year Air Force career. 04/28/2008 @ 12:31 [ref: 20740] |
| Ken Witkin Fort Washington, MD | THIS IS TOTALLY STUPID!!! We seem to have two entirely different groups of people holding reunions for the same organization. As a retired USAF Command Chief Master Sergeant and the current president of the Airborne Battlefield Command & Control Center (ABCCC) Association, I would like to suggest that both groups merge and hold just one reunion. 04/28/2008 @ 12:21 [ref: 20739] |
| Carl Robinson Langley AFB VA, VA | The 2nd 8th TDCS/ADCS Reunion is scheduled for 28 June 2008, with a Golf event on the 27th for those who want to participate. The OPR for this event is Ron Solis. Last year's reunion (1st) was a huge success. The reunion takes place at Midwest City Park, Midwest City, Oklahoma.
The 8th was some (9) of the best years of my military career. Great bunch of people I met and worked with over those 9 years. I still talk about those years ('85 to '94) today. 04/28/2008 @ 11:42 [ref: 20738] |
| CMSgt Ken Witkin, USAF (Ret.) FORT WASHINGTON, MD | There is a TAC ACP/ABNCP/TDCA (Det 2, 4500 Support Sq, 8 ACCS, 8 TDCS) reunion every two years. The last reunion was held in Goldsboro, NC during May 2007.
For those of you who are interested in attending these reunions, please contact Lt Col Ted Buck, USAF (Ret.) at 618-244-2739. 03/17/2008 @ 17:41 [ref: 20064] |
| CMSgt Ken Witkin, USAF (Ret.) FORT WASHINGTON, MD | There is a TAC ACP/ABNCP/TDCA (Det 2, 4500 Support Sq, 8 ACCS, 8 TDCS) reunion every two years. The last reunion was held in Goldsboro, NC during May 2007.
For those of you who are interested in attending these reunions, please contact Lt Col Ted Buck, USAF (Ret.) at 618-244-2739. 03/17/2008 @ 17:41 [ref: 20063] |
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