
The primary mission of these KC-135 is the refueling of strategic long-range bombers. It as well delivers air refueling support to Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps aircraft as well as aircraft of allied nations. The KC-135 is equipped with a flying boom for fuel transfer; a special drogue can be attached into the boom on the ground so it can refuel probe-equipped aircraft. During air refueling, the massive flyable boom attached into the airplane's belly can offload fuel at 6,500 pounds per minute.