After spending six years as a kc5 crew chief, walls decided she was ready for a career change. As is the case with the kc5, the c5 is also recognized as the model 717 by boeing. I am in tech school right now training to be a kc5 crew chief. Apr 17, 20 it takes a lot of effort and long hours to keep a kc 5 ready for the refueling mission. Being able to speak with the individuals and their children and grandchildren about the things aircraft maintainers and pilots had to do back then and things we do now was amazing. Oct 21, 2014 strategic air command would provide four kc5a stratotankers and four kc10 extenders to top off the jets over the ocean as they flew towards europe. This page is for anyone who was or is a crew chief on the kc 5. In addition to multiple publications and appearances in aviation programs on the history channel, the smithsonian channel, and the bbc, hopkins is the author of boeing kc5 stratotanker. The 5 is a very forgiving aircraft, very easy to work on and really, a great bird to be assigned to. After spending six years as a kc5 crew chief, walls said she. Apr 25, 2018 the air force plans to turn three kc 5 tankers into wc 5 constant phoenix nuclearsniffing aircraft.
Im thinking about enlisting in the ang while i finish school, and im curious about the tech pipeline for kc 5 chiefs. The kc5 stratotanker provides the core aerial refueling capability for the united states air force and has excelled in this role for more than 60 years. The effort will allow it to retire its two legacy wc5s, one of which is pictured here at. I was a crew chief on kc5r and t model stratotankers. A kc5 stratotanker sits on the flightline at manas air base, kyrgyzstan. The back of americas kc5 stratotankers and kc10 extenders feature panoramic windows that would give willy wonkas flying glass elevator a run for his money. The crew entry chute door at the front of the airplane can be jettisoned in flight. Apr 01, 2017 i was a crew chief from 1981 to 1987 with the 452nd air refueling wing. Feb 28, 2012 video profile of a kc 5 crew chief with the michigan air national guard at selfridge air national guard base, mich. The kc5 stratotanker provides the core aerial refueling capability for the.
I was a crew chief on the kc i35 aircraft pick up new from boeing at k. High pressure nitrogen is used to deploy an escape spoiler in the wind stream, thus allowing the crew to don parachutes and jump down the chute. Crew chiefs have the most general knowledge of the aircraft, said jones, who has been on swing shift for about a year. The story of the kc5 tankers that saved another kc5. For crew chiefs at the transit center at manas, its a hard job tha. Local news outlets are reporting that a c 5 tanker most probably a kc5 aircraft disappeared from radar screens near kyrgyzkazakh border owned by u. A large majority of the 820 5 units built were kc5a stratotankers, used for midair refueling.
The victims of the 1962 crash deserve to be remembered, said harold markiewicz, of post falls, a retired kc 5 crew chief who had a close friend, erwin paszek, on that flight. Kc 5 flying crew chief september 2003 to april 2010 usaf grand forks air force base, nd advises on problems maintaining, servicing, and inspecting aircraft and aerospace support equipment. Altus air force base is where the path begins for all kc5 boom operators, including staff sgt. To all future boom students walls gives this advice, stay in the books. The kc5 was the us air forces first jetpowered refueling tanker and replaced the kc97.
Let us continue to take care of the kc5 stratotanker, the back bone of the united states air force. The back of americas kc 5 stratotankers and kc 10 extenders feature panoramic windows that would give willy wonkas flying glass elevator a run for his money. I am attending embryriddle aeronautical university at my bases extended campus location, majoring. I am in tech school right now training to be a kc 5 crew chief. Op youre good man, there are bad crews and good crews, its an everyday thing on the flightline. Jun 04, 2009 i remember well, i was station at ellsworth afb as a kc 5a crew chief,the aircraft was from plattsburge afb, the crew was from ellsworth afb, story around ellsworth was the crew sat at the end of the runway as an alternet to take the mission if the primary was not able to, the primary ac had a hydraulic problem that would take some time to.
This document presents design criteria for the kc5 crew systems to he. Our radio suddenly crackled and a kc5 pilot broadcast, hey, were sitting up here. If you have requested to join the usaf kc5 crew chief fb page please read. The efforts of the kc5 crew paid off, enabling two different missions, the second performed by the cas aircraft that was able to terminate a highlevel enemy leader. This highly readable text follows the development and service use of this globetrotting aircraft and takes you through tasks the kc 5 has performed such as transport, tanker, weather recce, reconnaissance and intelligence gathering, special ops, testbed and more. I flew the kc 5 from 1986 to 20, so i think i am pretty familiar with the aircraft, but even picking a section at random and reading i invariably learned things i didnt know it is hard to imagine a. As a crew chief, youre mostly dealing with gto gastiresoil and pi. If anybody has information on these crashes, please use the comments below as a forum to add your inputs. Usaf photo from paul minert collection on september 89, 2006, the boeing kc5 stratotanker was recognized for its 50 years of aerial achievements and the sustained worthiness of the aircraft in its support of national defense in ceremonies at tinker afb, okla. Construction list kc5 serial line no model reg currentlast operator status.
Boom operators on an air force kc5 stratotanker have the ability to pump. Air force names airmen killed in kyrgyzstan kc5 crash. More than a simple kc5 book, this is probably the best single book ive encountered devoted to a single aircraft, let alone the kc5. Apr 06, 2011 the crew entry chute door at the front of the airplane can be jettisoned in flight. May 06, 20 the three crew members killed friday in the crash of a kc 5 stratotanker aircraft in the rugged mountains of kyrgyzstan were stationed at fairchild air force base, wash. Amanda walls, a former kc 5 crew chief with the 151st air refueling squadron, tennessee air national guard. It takes a lot of effort and long hours to keep a kc5 ready for the refueling mission. I got to see a lot of these e model tankers at fairchild afb when the guard was there in the mid 1990s operating the e models then. Amanda walls, a former kc5 crew chief with the 151st air refueling squadron, tennessee air national guard. Air force to start transforming tankers into wc5 nuke.
A you read the book you will notice statements specifying. Please let us know your crew chief association and when you crewed the kc 5 so i can add you. Raf mildenhall joins 100th bg veterans in new orleans reunion. The victims of the 1962 crash deserve to be remembered, said harold markiewicz, of post falls, a retired kc5 crew chief who had a close friend, erwin paszek, on that flight. The three crew members killed friday in the crash of a kc5 stratotanker aircraft in the rugged mountains of kyrgyzstan were stationed at fairchild air force base, wash. Apr 17, 2015 altus air force base is where the path begins for all kc5 boom operators, including staff sgt.
This unique asset enhances the air forces capability to accomplish its primary mission of global reach. Bobby mccasland, former kc 5 crew chief, was impressed by how easy the stratotanker was to maintain compared to the b52 stratofortress. The kc5 stratotanker went down about 100 miles west of the u. As is the case with the kc 5, the c 5 is also recognized as the model 717 by boeing. Im thinking about enlisting in the ang while i finish school, and im curious about the tech pipeline for kc5 chiefs. Kc5 flying crew chief september 2003 to april 2010 usaf grand forks air force base, nd advises on problems maintaining, servicing, and inspecting aircraft and aerospace support equipment. Amanda walls, a former kc5 crew chief with tennessee air national guards 151st air refueling squadron. Performing work tasks including those being carried out by those under hisher supervision. This tshirt is in memory of 19 members of the granite mountain hotshots crew from prescott, arizona, who lost their lives fighting the yarnell. I loved working on the kc5s and had the honor and privilege of painting squadron art on five lead aircraft, one of which was city of spokane which. Strategic air command would provide four kc5a stratotankers and four kc10 extenders to top off the jets over the ocean as they flew towards europe. We could have used a ground cart to start the engine, but the crew chief. Just remember when you are in charge not to be a dick. Air force to build the nextgeneration aerial refueling tanker aircraft, the kc46, based on the boeing 767 commercial airplane, to.
Duties of this position include but are not limited to. Hello, my name is lindsey and i am quite new to the forum. After spending six years as a kc5 crew chief, walls said she decided she was ready for a career change. The kc5 stratotanker became a notable aircraft product for the boeing company primarily in offering the united states air force usaf unparalleled warplanning capabilities and logistics support through inflight refueling and transportation. For crew chiefs at the transit center at manas, its a hard job thats worth doing to keep these planes. What it takes to be a boom operator altus air force base. Jones described kc5 crew chiefs as the jack of all trades. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
Boeing kc 5 refuels a northrop b2 in an evening exercise. What is your life like if you are an air force kc5 crew chief. The boeing kc 5 stratotanker is a military aerial refueling aircraft. Plane flying army sky divers crashes in carolina, killing 14. I am a crew chief essetially, a maintainer in the air force on the kc5 stratotanker, and i currently hold a private pilots license. Let us continue to take care of the kc 5 stratotanker, the back bone of the united states air force. The kc 5 was the us air forces first jetpowered refueling tanker and replaced the kc 97. Total force program aims to streamline kc5 upkeep u. Bobby mccasland, former kc5 crew chief, was impressed by how easy the stratotanker was to maintain compared to the b52 stratofortress on jun. Primarily based on the authors extensive access to operational kc5 aircraft on the ground and in flight, this book contains the most detailed photographic documentation of the kc5 inside and out that has ever been published, as well as color profiles of the kc5r in the markings of every major usaf command that has operated that variant. Ground crews will have to deice the tanker before it can take off on a refueling mission. However, this flight in particular would prove to be anything but routine for crew e1 of one of the kc5s and maj. Apr 16, 2015 altus air force base is where the path begins for all kc 5 boom operators, including u.
History of destroyed aircraft air refueling archive. It is the predominant variant of the c5 stratolifter family of transport aircraft. This employee is primarily responsible for planning and supervising the work of a maintenance crew. Kc 5 flying crew chief resume example usaf rapid city. Recently the usaf decided to eliminate the parachutes from the kc 5 because its too costly to maintain the. I could have just changed names and it was my life. I was a crew chief from 1981 to 1987 with the 452nd air refueling wing. Joseph thomas, the 22nd amxs superintendent, reveal the dedicated crew chief box on a kc5 stratotanker may 2. Please let us know your crew chief association and when you crewed the kc5 so i can add you.
Video profile of a kc5 crew chief with the michigan air national guard at selfridge air national guard base, mich. Altus air force base is where the path begins for all kc5 boom operators, including u. Jon ghost alexander and his wso, flying one of the f4es. Dvids news kc5 crew chiefs dedicated to nonstop mission. What is your life like if you are an air force kc5 crew. Both the kc 5 and the boeing 707 airliner were developed from the boeing 36780 prototype. Heavy aircraft crew chiefs reflect on duties before air show. Boeing kc5 refuels a northrop b2 in an evening exercise.
Bobby mccasland, former kc5 crew chief, was impressed by how easy the stratotanker was to maintain compared to the b52 stratofortress. Uses technical data to diagnose and solve maintenance problems on aircraft systems. Due to the ongoing world events, we need to verify. This page is for anyone who was or is a crew chief on the kc5. I used to get photos published in magazines and books, but that was a side benefit. If you have requested to join the usaf kc 5 crew chief fb page please read. Two reengined kc5rs could do the work of three kc5as. More than a simple kc 5 book, this is probably the best single book ive encountered devoted to a single aircraft, let alone the kc 5. A large majority of the 820 5 units built were kc 5a stratotankers, used for midair refueling. I was a crew member on rc5s for 7 years and when i saw this book i. Air force to build the nextgeneration aerial refueling tanker aircraft, the kc46, based on the boeing 767 commercial airplane, to replace 179 of the services 400 kc5 tankers.
The boeing kc5 stratotanker is a military aerial refueling aircraft. Only two aircraft crew chiefs on board were from k i sawyer afb, mi. Below is a table that shows all destroyed 5 aircraft. Recently the usaf decided to eliminate the parachutes from the kc5 because its too costly to maintain the. Both the kc5 and the boeing 707 airliner were developed from the boeing 36780 prototype. It is the predominant variant of the c 5 stratolifter family of transport aircraft. This highly readable text follows the development and service use of this globetrotting aircraft and takes you through tasks the kc5 has performed such as transport, tanker, weather recce, reconnaissance and intelligence gathering, special ops, testbed and more. Jan 01, 2012 primarily based on the authors extensive access to operational kc5 aircraft on the ground and in flight, this book contains the most detailed photographic documentation of the kc5 inside and out that has ever been published, as well as color profiles of the kc5r in the markings of every major usaf command that has operated that variant. This is not a fans page, this is a kc5 crew chief page. Kc5 crew chiefs mechanic shirts, shirts, custom clothes. Confessions of a usaf kc5 flying gas station boom operator. Air force crew chief with the 376th expeditionary aircraft maintenance squadron guides a kc5 stratotanker aircraft after the last combat refueling mission over afghanistan at the transit center 140224flu738006. A spokesman at mcconnell air force base said the seven members of the crew were. I flew the kc5 from 1986 to 20, so i think i am pretty familiar with the aircraft, but even picking a section at random and reading i invariably learned things i didnt know it is hard to imagine a.
Usaf photo from paul minert collection on september 89, 2006, the boeing kc 5 stratotanker was recognized for its 50 years of aerial achievements and the sustained worthiness of the aircraft in its support of national defense in ceremonies at tinker afb, okla. This is not a fans page, this is a kc 5 crew chief page. Michael faux, 100th aircraft maintenance squadron kc5 stratotanker flying crew chief. May 14, 2018 a kc5 stratotanker sits on the flightline at manas air base, kyrgyzstan.