5D Mk IV – EF 24-70 F/2.8L and Digital Rebel XT

This PotW represents some of my history. In the front we have a KC-135 on static display and right behind it we have a KC-135 landing. In the 80’s, I was a Navigator in this airframe. I recently spent a day in Dayton, Ohio and stopped by the National Museum of the US Air Force (NMUSAF). You may have heard me mention that I’ve been trying to organize a trip involving several close friends. I decided to give up that idea as coordinating the schedules of everyone would mean the trip would take place in the year 2035. Instead, I will be going back individually with each friend. From what I saw, this museum is HUGE. I’m guessing it will take a good 3 days to see everything – I am looking forward to going back and taking it all in (multiple times as I am retired).

Anyway, this PotW is actually 2 pics taken 16 years apart. The pic of the 135 in the foreground is from the airpark at the NMUSAF. The pic of the 135 landing was taken at Grissom AFB 16 years ago. If you look close, you can see ‘Grissom’ on the tail (hard to see on this low res image). Obviously, I Photoshopped this image. I like the results as it appears very realistic.

As for 0329, The ‘Young Tiger’ KC-135, this plane and crew won the Mackey Trophy for a mission in Southeast Asia in 1967: “For their exemplary courage and outstanding aerial accomplishments by performing the first multiple air refueling between a KC-135 aircraft and an A-3 Navy tanker which simultaneously refueled a Navy F-8 Crusader under emergency fuel shortages and combat condition.”

Here’s a link to the Young Tiger mission.