Robert S. (Moores School of Music Nelson University of Houston),Thomas E. Benjamin (Johns Hopkins University),Michael (Moores School of Music Horvit University of Houston),Timothy (Moores School of Mu
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The KC -135A made its maiden flight on August 31, 1956 and was still in front line service some 60 years later. What began as a jet-powered replacement for the KC -97 to refuel Strategic Air Command's growing B-47 and B-52 bomber fleet soon evolved into America's first military heavy jet transport, an airborne command post platform, a testbed that enabled scientists to study the Earth, send men to the Moon and understand the power of the atom. Other variants of the KC -135 included a reconnaissance airframe that monitors arms agreements, gathers intelligence to understand the intentions and capabilities of potential enemies and provides real-time intelligence in combat.This is a revised and expanded third edition of the definitive study of this remarkable aircraft. The author is a former USAF pilot qualified on 17 types of KC -135s, EC -135s, and RC -135s, who brings both personal experience and a broad historical understanding to this definitive work on one of the most significant mil
