Super Snoopers: The Evolution and Service Career of the Specialist Boeing C-135 Series with the 55th Wing and Associated Units

The US Air Force has pursued peripheral reconnaissance near Russia, China, and North Korea for seven decades.The US Air Force has performed peripheral reconnaissance adjacent to the traditional foes of Russia, China, North Korea and others for seven decades. Evolving from rudimentary aircraft to an unprecedented level of sophistication, the current, elderly airframes boast unmatched performance. The book details the aircraft, equipment, sensors, air bases involved, and limited operational details—as much remains highly classified. Additionally, stories by the personnel involved, who have flown these mission, and often faced their quarry at very close range. The majority of aircraft involved are the Boeing C-135 series, including more than 100 different airframes, of 48 different versions. Missions include strategic intelligence, airborne command and control, treaty compliance, Open Skies, weather reconnaissance, aerial refueling, and transportation. Details the different aircraft missions, bewildering program names, operating locations, and flying units involved. Background support organizations are presented. A potted history of every aircraft involved is included, together with units operated, and designations applied. Sixty years of operations, which continue to this day, are mostly shrouded in secrecy. A cat and mouse adventure, throughout the Cold War, into the new peace dividend, and now in the face of renewed Russian aggression. The veil of secrecy is lifted, ever so slightly!Table of ContentsIntroduction;Chapter One: The 55th Wing and Offutt AFB;Chapter Two: Current Strategic Reconnaissance Wings and the Aircraft;Chapter Three: Airborne Command Posts;Chapter Four: Other Current Aircraft Types;Chapter Five: Past Aircraft Types;Chapter Six: Support and Facilities – East and West;Chapter Seven: Operations;Chapter Eight: Offutt at War;Chapter Nine: Spooky Tales;Chapter Ten: Individual Aircraft;Histories; Appendices – Units. Read more