https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/42569/at-least-17-kc-135s-were-rapidly-launched-out-of-fairchild-afb-this-morning
One of the largest, fastest launches of KC-135s anytime, anyplace. An amazing exercise!
(A fair number of our local members are current or former FAFB denizens....)
How times have changed. Used to be a common occurrence to launch the alert B-52s and KC-135s.
I did my A-10 RTU (ANG) at Barksdale AFB. I recall a couple of launches. And several middle of the night engine starts on the -135s (alert pad was across the street from the BOQ.
Quote from: Pinecone on October 07, 2021, 02:36:17 PMHow times have changed. Used to be a common occurrence to launch the alert B-52s and KC-135s.
Very common around here when ORD had a Reserve base.
My best friend was a Loadmaster and in the pre-911 world of the '90's, his ID could get us both
on base (sitting on a motorcycle at the end of end of 22R so close you thought they were landing on
you is something not soon forgotten). I remember asking about the red bubblegum lights on all the poles and he
explained that was for alert launches of the fuelers - when they are on, everyone come to a stop and moves
out of the way. Being in the mid-point of the country it wasn't unusual to get people calling out for gas.
Quote from: Eclipse on October 07, 2021, 03:11:48 PMQuote from: Pinecone on October 07, 2021, 02:36:17 PMHow times have changed. Used to be a common occurrence to launch the alert B-52s and KC-135s.
Very common around here when ORD had a Reserve base.
My best friend was a Loadmaster and in the pre-911 world of the '90's, his ID could get us both
on base (sitting on a motorcycle at the end of end of 22R so close you thought they were landing on
you is something not soon forgotten). I remember asking about the red bubblegum lights on all the poles and he
explained that was for alert launches of the fuelers - when they are on, everyone come to a stop and moves
out of the way. Being in the mid-point of the country it wasn't unusual to get people calling out for gas.
I take it you've never been to a SAC base then. Back then the alert force route lights were pretty common on SAC bases. Heck, they're still there on some bases like March ARB!