107th Airlift Wing Bids Goodbye to Last Tanker

Crew Chief Master Sgt Ronald Szpaicher says good bye to the aircraft he has maintained for the last 14 yrs at Niagara Falls, NY. 21 June 2008 was the day the last KC-135R left the 107th to Scott AFB. There it would join other members of the Niagara fleet, at the 126th Air Refueling Wing, Illinois Air National Guard to continue to faithfully serve its country. With over 18,000 hours and 14 years of service with the New York Air National Guard, this tanker was instrumental in offloading millions of pounds of fuel to aircraft all over the world. World contingencies included Operations Deny Flight, Decisive Endeavor, Northern Watch, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Master Sgt Veronica Jadoch)

107th Airlift Wing Bids Goodbye to Last Tanker

Chief Master Sgt Samuel Davies boom operator on the KC-135R shuts the side hatch before take off. Fuzzy 01 cleared for takeoff. The KC-135R Stratotanker rolled down runway 28 Right for its final takeoff out of Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station with the 107th Airlift Wing, New York Air National Guard, ending the unit's legacy as an air refueling wing. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Lt. Col. Deanna Miller)