Bossier City in Bossier Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)

Boeing KC-135A "Stratotanker"

USAFM 1996-025

Gary Todd via Flickr (Public Domain), July 14, 2017

1. Boeing KC-135A "Stratotanker" Marker

Inscription. Based on the Boeing 707 airframe, the KC-135 was the first totally jet powered in-flight refueling aircraft. C-135s served as Air Force One and have been modified into electronic warfare aircraft, weather reconnaissance, airborne command post and special purpose aircraft. Fuel is carried in six wing and four fuselage tanks. All but 1,000 gallons can be pumped via the extendable boom at the rear of the aircraft into waiting receivers. Aircraft being refueled line up following rows of lights on the underside of the KC-135. The boom operator lies in a prone position and will fly the boom into the receiving aircraft's fuel receptacle. Eighty troops or 25 tons of cargo can also be carried in the main fuselage. Seventeen KC-135s were equipped as “Looking Glass” aircraft for the Strategic Air Command (SAC). These aircraft contained a miniaturized version of SAC headquarters at Offutt AFB, and could direct bombers and missiles if ground stations were rendered inoperable. These aircraft could also act as tankers. Until 1985, at least one “Looking Glass” was airborne at all times.

Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard KC-135s

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were retrofitted with Pratt and Whitney TF-33 turbofan engines in the early 1980s and were designated “E” models. The active duty KC-135s were retrofitted with CFM turbofans beginning in the mid 80s and were designated “R” models.

The museum's KC-135A last flew in 1994 when it was retired from active service. The museum's KC-135A has a proud history which includes flying in support of Tactical and Strategic Air Command combat operations during the Vietnam War from 1964 to 1973, also known as “Young Tiger” missions. Under SAC, this KC-135 was last assigned to the 71st Air Refueling Squadron. In fact, this tanker made that last flight for all the KC135s flown by the 2nd Bomb Wing. Upon completion of that flight, the KC-135 fleet was transferred to Air Mobility Command and was operated by the 458th Air Refueling Wing until 1994 when the unit was relocated.

Specifications
Span: 130' 10" • Length: 136' 3" • Height: 38' 4" • Weight: 297,000 lbs • Crew: Four (4) • Max fuel trans:200,000 lbs • Cargo capacity: 80 troops, 25 tons of cargo • Cost: $26.1 million

Performance
Max speed: 600 mph • Cruising: 552 mph • Range: 4,000 miles • Service

Boeing KC-135A "Stratotanker" image. Click for full size.

Gary Todd via Flickr (Public Domain), July 14, 2017

2. Boeing KC-135A "Stratotanker"

ceiling: 40,000 ft • Engine: Four Pratt & Whitney J-57s

Erected by Barksdale Global Power Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Military. A significant historical year for this entry is 1985.

Location. 32° 30.961′ N, 93° 41.136′ W. Marker is in Bossier City, Louisiana, in Bossier Parish. It can be reached from the intersection of Range Road and Shreveport Road, on the right when traveling north. Marker is in front of the plane, which is on display about 1/2 mile north of the museum building. Museum is in Barksdale Air Force Base. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 88 Shreveport Rd, Bossier City LA 71112, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Louisiana.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Piney Woods.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

one of the Confederate States

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of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Major General William E. Eubank, Jr. (within shouting distance of this marker); Convair B-58 “Rocket Sled” (within shouting distance of this marker); North American AGM-28 “Hound Dog” (within shouting distance of this marker); Boeing B-52G “Stratofortress” (within shouting distance of this marker); 1st CEVG Combat Skyspot Memorial (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Boeing B-52D “Stratofortress” (about 500 feet away); Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 “Fishbed” (about 600 feet away); Avro B-2 “Vulcan” (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bossier City.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 2, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 2, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 485 times since then and 74 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 2, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

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