Reserve KC-135 showcased at open house

JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. -- Lt. Col. Elaine D-aprile, 459th Air Refueling Wing flight nurse, shares the Aeromedical Evacuation capabilities of a KC-135 Stratotanker at the Joint Service Open House here May 22, 2011. The JSOH affords the public an opportunity to meet the men and women of the Armed Forces and to see military equipment from the Navy, Marines, Army, Air Force and Coast Guard. The JSOH is planned and conducted through the efforts of active duty, guard and reserve service members, as well as civilian employees, retirees and family members. (U.S. photo/Tech. Sgt. Steve Lewis)

Reserve KC-135 showcased at open house

JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. -- Tech. Sgt. David Dix, 459th Air Refueling Wing maintenance crew chief, gives an overview of KC-135 Stratotanker refueling capabilities to Janice and Richard Strauss at the Joint Service Open House here May 22, 2011. The JSOH affords the public an opportunity to meet the men and women of the Armed Forces and to see military equipment from the Navy, Marines, Army, Air Force and Coast Guard. The JSOH is planned and conducted through the efforts of active duty, guard and reserve service members, as well as civilian employees, retirees and family members. (U.S. photo/Tech. Sgt. Steve Lewis)

FAA ACE Camp visits the 459th ARW

Students from the Federal Aviation Association ACE Camp paid a visit to the 459th Air Refueling Wing to tour a KC-135. The camp, hosted each summer, promotes careers in aviation for area youth.

Boom's eye view

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- Second lieutenant Kathy Richey, 69th Aerial Port Squadron logistics readiness officer, asks questions about the movement of a KC-135 boom to an aircrew member during a flight from Germany June 17. Lieutenant Richey joined 30 other 69th APS Airmen during their two-week annual tour to support the 723rd Aerial Port Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Amaani Lyle)

Liberators united

ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, Md. -- History came full circle as the 459th's first ever aircraft lined up nose-to-nose with the unit's current aircraft. The 459th Air Refueling Wing's KC-135 Stratotanker, an Air Force Reserve Command refueling aircraft, met its mission predecessor, the B-24 Liberator, a World War II bomber aircraft that flew in May 17 for the Joint Service Open House at Andrews Air Force Base for this year's Armed Forces Day weekend. This historic event took place on the 459th ARW flightline. The B-24 aircraft was the 459th's first flying mission in the wing's heritage, flown from 1943 to 1945. The B-24 was employed in operations in every combat theater in World War II. Members of the original 459th Bombardment Group and the 756th Squadron Association attended the event. The 459th ARW Commander, Col. Stayce D. Harris, also attended and greeted the B-24 aircraft and its crew. The 459th ARW has adopted the name "Liberator" to pay tribute to its founding unit who once carried the name.

459 refuels F15E

A 459th Air Refueling Wing KC-135 refuels a F-15E during a routine training mission in April 2004