A few years back I had the pleasure of going on a refueling run in one of these KC-135s, arranged by my employee who was a Guard member. It was an impressive experience and included a chance to run the refueling boom (not while attaching or attached to a plane) and to see how the pilots could navigate completely dark (no radio or radar) using only the stars. Our refueling wing is an unbelievable group, with skill, patriotism and dedication. We should all be proud of them. It was a privilege and an honor to see them up close in operation.

Our National Guard and Reserve troops do not get nearly the recognition or appreciation that they should.

Thanks for taking the time to bring this important and interesting story to the attention of the public.

And, an even bigger THANK YOU to the plane crews and ground crews who do this vital mission.

You help keep us free!

Great story and the above comments are 100% correct. My only comments is that these find people and others doing the same thing around the world need a new generation of tankers. These planes are some of the oldest flying in any military capacity.

NKAWTG= Nobody Kicks Anything Without Tanker Gas

"Suck the nectar of life?" Oh geez. Nobody in government will be willing to put their neck out for a new tanker until the wings fall off one in flight (like the F-15). I hope I'm not on that tanker when it happens.

Great Story! Thanks DN.

I was a crew chief on these same KC-135s 30 years ago while I was in college, they were 30 years old when I was working one them. [that's right, do the math].
Good job for a kid like me, and even GREATER experience. I landed a job with Boeing in Seattle coming right out of Weber State.

As for a new tanker, 8 years ago -- I was on the KC-767 tanker Team.
Many people do not realize Boeing has already designed and built the 12 of these for the Japanese and Italian Air Forces -- and the United States Air Force already has their first KC-767 designed and built and it has been sitting on the tarmac for several years -- before John McCain killed the deal.

Please give our men and women of the service the equipment they need to do a good job, and do it safely!

Air tanker guys, thanks for keeping our fighters kicking tushy for Uncle Sam. Stay safe.

As the mother of Tech. Sgt. Derek Larson let me say how much I enjoyed the article. I am not only very proud of him but of all of those who serve in all branches of our armed forces. Thank you to all for serving this great nation. May God bless all of you!

You are all heroes. Thank you so much for your service. It's good to know that we still have some patriotic Americans that get some much deserved media recognization.