Boeing EC-135N Stratolifter - Museum of Aviation, Warner Robins, GA - Static Aircraft Displays on Waymarking.com

The EC-135N on display at the Museum of Aviation was the command aircraft for General Norman Schwarzkopf and Tommy Franks during their tours as Commanders of the United States Central Command (USCENTCOM). General Schwarzkopf was commander of USCENTCOM and commander of Coalition Forces in the Gulf War of 1991. General Franks led USCENTCOM during the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the overthrow of Saddam Hussein.

Aircraft of this type began service as Airborne Command Posts (ABCP) with the Strategic Air Command (SAC) during the early years of the Cold War. The idea was for specially-equipped aircraft to be airborne at all times, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, in the event that SAC’s underground command center was destroyed or disabled. This airborne command center also provided an alternate method of launching Minuteman/Peacekeeper missiles if ground launch control centers were destroyed. Initially, 17 KC-135B tankers were adapted for the ABCP’s mission with flights beginning on February 3, 1961. The new aircraft was dubbed the Stratolifter because its role mirrored ground-based command, control and communications, operations, and by 1964 was formally designated EC-135. The EC-135 fleet was equipped with comprehensive, high-tech communications equipment, which allowed the airborne commander to link with national command authorities, theatre forces, with other airborne command posts and with his assets on the ground. The flight crew of an EC-135 consisted of two pilots, a navigator, an airborne refueling system operator, and several communication system operators. For 29 years, EC-135s conducted continuous airborne operations, accumulating more than 281,000 accident-free flying hours – an aviation phenomenon. On July 24, 1990, SAC ceased continuous airborne alert, but kept EC-135s on ground alert 24 hours a day. On October 1, 1998, the EC-135 aircraft was formally retired from the Air Force, and its airborne mission transferred to a new platform – the Navy’ #-6B aircraft.

Aircraft 61-0327 History

The EC-135 service to the Commander in Chief, USCENTCOM, began at Robins AFB, GA in 1984 with one aircraft. EC-135N Aircraft 61-0327 began its service at Robins AFB in 1987 assigned to the 19th Air Refueling (H) Wing. During its tenure at Robins, EC-135 aircrews and maintenance personnel provided mission support to the Commanders of USCENTCOM and the forces in Africa, the Middle East and the Central Asian Region. Often times, crews operated in extreme conditions where aircraft ramp temperatures reached over 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Aircraft 61-0327 on display at the Museum of Aviation, was the last aircraft o carry the designation of EC-135N and was delivered to the 1611th Air Transport (heavy) Wing (Military Air Transport Service), McGuire AFB, New Jersey on November 29, 1961. In 1966, it was transferred to the Eastern Test Range, Air Force Systems Command (AFSC), Patrick AFB, Florida, where it was converted to an EC-135N model. From 1975 until 1987, 61-0327 was flown by the 4950th Test Wing (AFSC), Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, before being transferred to the 19th Air Refueling Wing (SAC) at Robins AFB, Georgia. With more than 20,000 flying hours this aircraft was retired in 2003. It was moved to the Museum of Aviation for display on March 2, 2006.

Type of Aircraft: (make/model): Boeing EC-135N Stratolifter Tail Number: (S/N): 61-0327 Construction:: original aircraft Location (park, airport, museum, etc.): Museum of Aviation, RAFB, Warner Robins, GA inside / outside: outside Other Information:: Not listed Access restrictions: Not listed

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