This paper focuses on the unique and vital capabilities of the US
Air Force's KC-135 tanker fleet. Specifically, historic and current
tanker usage, tanker operational employment, and the capability of
today's tanker fleet are analyzed, with emphasis on force structure
and force management. Given that the KC-135 is the USAF's primary
air refueling asset and that no planned replacements are due on the
flightline for some time, how can the current KC-135 method of
employment and force structure support future DOD and coalition
operations? Since its inception in the mid-1950s, the KC-135 has
undergone numerous configuration as well as mission changes. One
constant throughout has been the reliance of the nation's airpower
on this critical asset, whether it was sitting alert during the
cold war, or providing mission essential fuel for F-117s en route
to Baghdad during the Gulf War. The success of combat operations in
Operation Allied Force was made possible due to the rapid, massive,
and professional employment of the KC-135 in the theater of
operations. This success, however, can be attributed more to the
actions of the tanker community than to any planned, deliberate
inclusion of air refueling assets into the operations plan. In
light of decreasing budgets, aging airframes, increased downtime
for maintenance, and an explosion in the operations tempo, this
paper proposes a four-pronged methodology addressing taker vision,
organization training and employment, as the correction needed to
get the KC-135 weapon system back on centerline. This will allow
the tanker to effectively aid the Air Force in successfully
deterring conflict and if needed, quickly win the nation's future
wars.
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