KC135 Tanker Refueling Operations, Vietnam

Description

OF NEWSFILM RELEASE OFFICE OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE (PUBLIC AFFAIRS) UNITED AMERICA WASHINGTON, D.C. - 20301 STATES OF PLEASE NOTE DATE IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 2, 1966 OXford 75111 Number 248-66 Footage: 90' 16mm Color Master Room 2 E 765 KC-135 TANKER REFUELING OPERATIONS (Official U. S. Air Force film released by Department of Defense) Not A.P.C. Tanker crews of the Strategic Air Command (SAC) like nothing better than to "lower the boom" on American fighter and bomber aircraft flying strike missions over Vietnam. Rising at all hours, they fly to designated areas where they orbit hour after hour carrying fuel to extend the length of mission and time over target of strike aircraft. SAC received its first KC-135 tanker ten years ago. Until 1962, the jet Stratotanker was used almost exclusively to refuel SAC bombers. But the aircraft's speed, range and versatility made it ideal for operations of the Tactical Air Command (TAC) as well, particularly in view of TAC's requirement for increased world-wide operations. Consequently, SAC became the Air Force's single manager of the KC-135 fleet and began high-altitude transfers of fuel to fighters as well as bombers. When the U. S. increased its commitment in Vietnam, SAC tankers were called upon to provide inflight refueling in support of strike operations. Today, they not only conduct inflight refuelings for the B-52 bombers that pound Viet Cong strongholds in South Vietnam, but also refuel Air Force fighter and reconnaissance aircraft operating in Southeast Asia. Sequences show: (a) F-104 aircraft inflight approaching KC-135 for refueling (b) F-104 being refueled, pulling away from boom (c) F-105 being refueled (d) CU of boom operator (e) F-105 pulling away from refueling boom (f) F4C engaging refueling boom (g) F4C being refueled (h) CU of boom operator (i) F4C being refueled (j) F4C pulling away from refueling boom (k) KC-135 landing NOTE TO EDITORS: 90' 16mm color master released to ABC-TV for servicing TV and theatrical pool members. Color master to be forwarded to Army Pictorial Center, 35-11 35th Avenue, Long Island City, New York 11106, within 72 hours. - over

Collection

Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer

Series

Filmed News Releases