Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker

R_Nelson 🇺🇸

06 Jun 2026 · © R_Nelson

Good morning from FAI

1 likes 0 comments

Comments (0)

No comments yet.

More like this

Aircraft

KC-135 Stratotanker KC135

matte gray U.S. military livery (with blue engine covers for ground protection)

Manufacturer

Boeing

Gear

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max back camera 6.765mm f/1.78

Achievements

Rare Bird, Vintage Voyager, Boeing Beginner, Military Maverick

4 badges earned

Photo grade

Bronze

Score: 73.0

The KC-135 is interesting but distant; ground clutter and shadowed foreground reduce impact.

Location

Gate 5

Fairbanks International Airport · FAI/PAFA

64.8151, -147.8560

Open map

Fairbanks International Airport FAI

Airport

Insights

Aviation History

The Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker is a U.S. Air Force aerial refueling aircraft and has been in service since 1957. It is one of the longest-serving military aircraft types in history and essential for global air power projection.

Fleet Rarity

Fewer than 400 active worldwide, almost all operated by U.S. military; rare in civilian airports unless on deployment or exercise.

Record Flights

Critical to many long-range U.S. military operations worldwide. No specific commercial record flights as it\'s military-only.

Safety & Events

Several notable incidents in its long service, but overall has proven highly reliable. KC-135 aircraft have supported combat and humanitarian missions globally.

Future Outlook

Still active, with gradual retirement planned due to KC-46 Pegasus replacement; some preserved in museums.

Specifications

CFM International CFM56 (KC-135R variant; some earlier variants use Pratt & Whitney J57)

Engine

39.88 meters

Wingspan

41.53 meters

Length

2,419 kilometers with max transfer fuel; up to ~12,200 km ferry range (varies by config)

Range

870 km/h

Speed

Crew of 3 plus space for 80 passengers or equivalent cargo/pallets

Capacity

146,285 kilograms

MTOW

12.70 meters

Height

CFM56: 98,000 lbf total (4 × 22,000 - 25,000 lbf each)

Thrust

ICAO Chapter 3 (older variants); KC-135R meets Chapter 4 with CFM56 engines (~89-101 dB takeoff)

Noise