KC-135 Stratotanker
Coverage of KC-135 Stratotanker in the Nexus archive.
- Take a look inside an Air Force aerial tanker that kept fighter jets and bombers in the air
The KC-10A Extender, a US Air Force aerial refueling tanker in service from 1981 to 2024, refueled fighter jets, bombers, and cargo planes during conflicts like the Gulf War and Iraq War. The first KC-10A is displayed at the Air Mobility Command Museum in Delaware, offering public access to its refueling operator station. The Air Force now uses KC-135 Stratotankers and newer KC-46A Pegasus aircraft to replace the retired KC-10 fleet.
- Watchdog says too few of the US Air Force's flying gas stations are ready to fly missions
A government watchdog report found the US Air Force's KC-135 Stratotanker and KC-46A Pegasus tanker fleets have failed to meet readiness standards from 2019 to 2025 due to parts shortages, maintenance staffing gaps, and infrastructure limitations. The report highlights risks to critical aerial refueling operations during recent military actions, including the 2025 Midnight Hammer strikes and combat in Iran.