Photo By Senior Airman Paula Arce | KC-135R/T Stratotanker “Ethel,” from the 350th Air Refueling Squadron, McConnell...... read more read more
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MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. – After more than six decades of service, “Ethel,” a KC-135R/T Stratotanker, was officially retired, closing a chapter that began in 1959 during the Cold War era.
The retirement culminated with Ethel’s final flight on Dec. 19, 2025, when a crew from the 350th Air Refueling Squadron flew the aircraft from McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, where it was transferred to the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG), commonly known as the “boneyard.”
When the KC-135 was designed, longevity was not prioritized. Jet bombers entering the Air Force were faster and capable of flying farther than ever before, quickly outpacing the tankers that were supporting them. What mattered most was fabricating a capable tanker to meet urgent strategic needs to ensure global deterrence.
“Ethel” was the name given to one of many prolific KC-135 aircraft of this era, with the tail number 58-80011. Ethel was introduced during this period of urgency, built to meet the immediate operational needs rather than a decades-long service life. Yet, Ethel and her sister KC-135 aircraft withstood the test of time as they defied many expectations. Through continuous modernization and maintenance from Airmen, the KC-135 fleet adapted to changing missions while always remaining relevant.
Ethel’s story was unique from the beginning, starting as a KC-135A assigned to the 34th Air Refueling Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. In 1960, the aircraft was the fourth KC-135 modified into an EC-135C to support the “Looking Glass” mission, serving as an airborne command post capable of issuing and receiving orders even if ground-based command systems were destroyed. After completing her role in nuclear command and control, Ethel was later converted back into a KC-135, carrying a legacy of reliability that would follow Ethel throughout her long service life, continuing into her final flight decades later.
For Capt. Drake Emlong, 350th ARS aircraft commander, Ethel’s final mission carried personal meaning. She was the aircraft he flew on his first temporary duty assignment early in his career. Years later, the same aircraft carried him once more, this time on her last flight.
Ethel gave everything she had during her long service, but her final flight presented challenges outside a routine mission. Since Ethel was to be transferred to a permanent long-term storage status, this required extensive planning and close coordination between aircrew and maintainers to make the aircraft ready for receipt at the storage facility in Arizona. Several systems were operating outside normal measures, forcing the crew to adjust nearly every aspect of the flight.
None of the aircrew had ever flown a jet with as many external factors at play as Ethel had on her final sortie, noted Emlong. “Fortunately, the effort put into the mission by both the 722nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (AMXS) and 350th ARS paid off, and our flight was a success.” Despite this, the mission was executed by 350th ARS Airmen safely through planning, following strict procedures, and the experience of the flight crew, supported by extensive maintenance efforts on the ground prior to departure.
“I worked on Ethel almost every day I've been at McConnell, and deployed with it,” said Senior Airman Christopher Ahrem, 722nd AMXS flying crew chief. “I had no doubts she would make it to the boneyard just fine, I was even sure Captain Emlong could land safely without wheels if he had to.”
After landing, select parts were removed from Ethel, to be returned to the supply chain to help sustain the remainder of the KC-135 fleet.
As Ethel descended for the final time, she carried with her more than 41 thousand logged flight hours and countless maintenance records. From her Cold War deterrence role to current day air refueling operations, her service spanned many generations of Airmen, reflecting the dedication of those who flew and fixed her. Though she was built to answer the urgent need of her time, Ethel ultimately became an icon in airpower due to her reliability and adaptability for the United States Air Force.
| Date Taken: | 01.20.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 01.20.2026 14:08 |
| Story ID: | 556382 |
| Location: | KANSAS, US |
| Web Views: | 15 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, An icon of airpower takes final bow: Ethel’s fini flight, by SrA Paula Arce, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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