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Boeing RC-135S 'Stratolifter'

Description
Notes: Formerly RC-135 modified to classified reconnaissance capability.
  Manufacturer:Boeing
  Base model:C-135
  Designation:RC-135
  Version:S
  Nickname:Stratolifter
  Designation System:U.S. Air Force
  Designation Period:1925-1962
  Basic role:Transport
  Modified Mission:Reconnaissance

Specifications
Not Yet Available


 

Recent comments by our visitors
 Michael Jolly
 , MS
I worked briefly with Bill Lefebure and most of the others he named. I tend to agree and also include Billy as one of the good men.
07/29/2011 @ 14:13 [ref: 43996]
 Billy Lefebure
 Ely, IA
Worked on thru RC-135’s from 1984-1986, Harold Shultz, Sam Judd, Dan Macaerine, Pat Ramirez, Mike Helms, and all good men. Spent many weeks on the rock and a few TDY’s in Hawaii.
07/24/2011 @ 11:48 [ref: 43040]
 Mark Spencer
 San Antonio, TX
Great experience 1977-1979, very rewarding team effort. Good mission to be involved with during the time. It gave a real sense of "why we were in the military" and we had a real operative purpose, sometimes hard to find in peace times. Shemya TDY's work and play were wonderful adventures, unique to that place and time. Hey, how about Shemya tree's and foxes! Weren't they something!.. Seriously, the history there with the japanese bunkers, etc. gives perspective, including seeing the Russian "fish trawlers" passing by with sooo many antena's and no fish.
05/31/2011 @ 14:46 [ref: 39090]
 James Stebelton
 Goldsboro, NC
I worked on the Cobra Ball 63-2662 from 1982 to 1985. I was in the Radar shop 6th CAMS at Eielson AFB. Spent many TDY'S at the rock on alert.
12/08/2010 @ 05:47 [ref: 34039]
 Steve Hiott
 waynesville, NC
Out of the numerious aircraft I crewed and worked on during my twenty years in the Air Force, working on the RC-135s models was the highlight of my career. I was the crew Chief on 2664 and watched it crash at Shemys. Later when I heard that 121 had went down two, only added to the loss. On the bright side someone a few months ago sent me some pics of 61-2663 after refurb, she looks good. Hopefully one day when they are replaced by the boeing 767 (not the a-330), the head honchos will put her in a museum. I worked on her many a night and day. Gotta go. If anyone has any pics of 664 or wants to chat, give me a shout. Thanks

Steve Hiott
07/21/2010 @ 16:50 [ref: 28343]
 Fred Matthews
 Lewistown, PA
Was at Eielson from 1978 until 1981. Started in the Radar shop (under Bob Morgan) and eventually ended my tour in Job Control (under Ray Boss). Who can forget Chief V. down in CAMS. Spent many days on Shemya. Looking back it was really a unique and special time. The strat wing was indeed a career forming experience. Col Dale was easily the most professional and admired commander I served under in my 22 years in the AF. And he was the only Col to ever cut my grass whnile I was at Shemya. Was in job control the morning that 664 crashed. Bad bad morning. I had to call Col Thompson (DCM) that morning to ensure he was informed. Missed SAC and the special bond for the remainder of my career.
01/23/2009 @ 07:23 [ref: 23539]
 MSgt (Ret) William \"Cobrabill\" We
 Summerville, SC
GO WILDCATS!!! The 45th RS was the best squadron on the planet, I miss working with all of the best maintainers in the Air Force. I crewed 663 from 1995-2005
08/10/2008 @ 17:59 [ref: 22422]
 David Schuster
 Hawthorne, NJ
Worked 6th Cams om assist crew chief 663 1977-1978. spent many a TDY to the Rock. Sure miss all the good time we had at Eielson. Tommy Boyle, Smitty,Taco, Little Pete, Biggy Rat, Danny Vock, Paul Vause and all those crazy SOB's. Hope the past 30 years have been good to everybody.
Would do anything to get back together for one more barbeque.
05/06/2008 @ 06:59 [ref: 20808]
 James R. McBrayer
 Sulphur Spgs, TX
I was the Wing Boom Operator for the 6th Strat Wing, from May 1973 until Aug 1977. Retired and Moved back to Texas. Miss those days.
10/05/2007 @ 17:34 [ref: 18113]
 Bill Thomson
 Glasgow, MT
Assigned to the 6th CAMS Radar shop from 1977 to 1980. Worked in Job Control for 22 months of that tour. Went TDY to Shemya 3 times. Brings back vivid, fond memories of helping out with an engine change while at Shemya, but can't remember which one of the two aircraft it was! I left the Air Force in 1980, so didn't find out about the crash at Shemya till several years after the fact. To say it was a shock would be a gross understatement. Even though I never met any of the souls lost that day, I felt a connection. The news was sobering indeed.
I read King Hawes' account of Rivet Amber, and felt a distant connection with those folks too.
09/06/2007 @ 19:14 [ref: 17859]

 

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