Boeing KC-135A Stratotanker (3211)

Although similar in size and appearance to the Boeing 707 airliner, the KC-135 was designed primarily for aerial refueling. The first one entered service at Castle AFB in 1957. All KC-135 crew training took place at Castle until the base was closed. This plane arrived at Castle in October 1957 and flew its last mission on January 27, 1993. It is a veteran of Vietnam and Desert Storm. Its nose art designates it as "The City of Atwater," reflecting the support given the museum and Castle AFB by the local community. This aircraft carried about 31,200 gallons of jet fuel in the "wet" wings and tanks in the lower fuselage. KC-135s that remain in service have been equipped with more powerful engines, updated avionics and systems and are planned to continue in service past 2020.