59-1514 began life as a KC-135A, was converted to KC-135E and modified for receiver Aerial Refueling (making it an "AC/DC KC" - a Lieutenant Colonel Aircraft Commander in the airplane was an "AC/DC KC LC AC" ). In that configuration, it was used as a trainer for RC and EC crews at Offutt, and as a ferry/supply airplane for the 55th SRW at Offutt.

It has since been converted to a KC-135R.


It may be a one-off exception to the rule, but it disproves the suggestion that none of the Es were converted to Rs, and that only ANG units had KC-135Es. It is true that only ANG units had entire squadrons of Es.



Footnote: According to Joe Baugher's Serial Number database, only one other 59 model went through the A to E to R process. Most of the Es listed remained as Es. (1959 USAF Serial Numbers)






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