Refueling a RC135 aboard a KC135 Stratotanker

[ezkeyl]

This is a RC-135S Cobra Ball...

[RoswellRoswellDave]

Saw a refueling from the RC-135 side back in the 70s flying out of Kadena. Was a crew member sitting in the jump seat. One of the engines on the KC started misfiring and shooting flames half way through the refueling. Have a slide sequence of the hookup. Great video!

[bdadancer3100]

you could fall out that hole and die

[MARK8088]

Black wings means it is a COBRA BALL.

[bdadancer3100]

@MARK8088 these planes r here at offut where i live and they dont have black wings

they just have a black nose

[rivetjointful]

@bdadancer3100only the rew cobra balls(rc-135s) have their port wing painted black, the rest of the rc-135 fleet. v/w/u models have the regular grayish paint on their wings.

[MARK8088]

For the RC-135 pilot, refueling from a KC-135/DC-10 is very stressful because of the risk involved. I once sat behind an RC-135 pilot during an air refueling operation and could see the sweat pouring down from his forehead. Sittong in the back of an RC-135 during aerial refueling can be nerve-wracking.

[05subiewrx]

yea thats my gurl!! Black Wing Crew Chief

[canals22]

is 662 or 663 ?

[lst1195]

I know a KC is a Tanker, but what does a RC do?

[sakabatto]

@lst1195 Thats top secret, but RC-135s are awesome, as long as their w models.

[lst1195]

@sakabatto Oh ok. I did notice it has a huge Dome in the nose so I guessed it was some kind of AWACS or something?

[inflames07]

@lst1195

Lmao all planes have a Radome. Only one plane is an AWACS and that's obviously the AWACS plane. RC-135 is a reconnaissance plane and there are several different models of it for several different purposes.  If shit is going down in the world, RC-135s were there before it happened and while it's happening.

[bdadancer3100]

@lst119 these planes r stationed here at offut afb in NE where i live and my dad said the big nose is cause it has a weather rader in it

[RainbowManification]

@lst1195 signal reconnaissance

[majorkwoods]

I had the unique opportunity to be in both the cockpit of the RC-135 W 14844 during a refuling off the coast of the UK in 1978, and, in the Stratotanker watching a scene just like this one in 1979. Amazing that this is on YouTube!

[stanislaus0]

I never flew on Cobra Ball but spent 8 years flying on the RC135S,T,V,and U.

Most important and enjoyable time of my life. Longest mission ever flown was 25.5 hours. Did it all in the 1970's era and flew the same tail numbers that are flying today. Don't tell me Boeing doesn't build an outstanding aircraft !!

[Karsynshows1999luv]

u rock dad

[laakman]

I was there from Nov 2000 to Jul 2008. The BALL was unlike anything else in the AF inventory and the lifestyle was similar to MASH. It was feast for famine on missions and flying. One minute you're playing cards or video games and the next you're flying 18 hour sorties.

[rattlebuck]

My dad used to fly RC-135s, really cool video!

[SigmaNuZane]

my dad was in command of the 24th srs cobra ball in the early 80's, i used to live at eielson afb alaska. small world

[laakman]

I used to fly on that black-winged bandit. Good times.

[brooksdenver]

how long have you been on the 135's? I lived by Offut and ill allways remember the Cobra Ball.. the RC-135. my dad flew on the Looking Glass for a while.