Features

  • The Contrails: Aircraft, Weapons Systems: KC-10A Extender

    Manufacturer: McDonnell DouglasFunction: Aerial Tanker/TransportService Date: 1981Speed: 619 mphCrew: FourProduction: 60 Inventory: 59Commentary: The KC-10 is the militarized variant of the DC-10 commercial aircraft modified for aerial refueling and aeromedical transport. Because it has both types

  • The Contrails: Aircraft, Weapons Systems: KC-135R/T Stratotanker

    Manufacturer: BoeingFunction: Aerial Refueling/AirliftModified Functions: Special Mission, ReconnaissanceService Date: 1957Speed: 530 mphCrew: Three (Tanker)Production: 732 Inventory: 204Commentary: Currently the Mainstay of the USAF tanker fleet, the long-serving KC-135 is similar in size

  • Service before self: Volunteer work links Academy officer to Colo. Springs

    A young man from Jamaica beat the odds to become an Air Force officer and an advocate for youth in Colorado Springs.Maj. Paul Prosper didn’t always concern himself with volunteer work. His main concerns growing up were crime, poverty and academic challenges.Prosper is an assistant professor in the

  • The Contrails: Aircraft, Weapons Systems: F-35 Lightning II

    Manufacturer: Lockheed MartinFunction: Multirole FighterService Date: 2011Speed: 1,200 mphCrew: OneProduction: 1,763 (planned)Commentary: USAF’s F-35A will replace its current force of F-16 and A-10 aircraft with a stealthy multirole fighter that will comprise the bulk of USAF’s fighter fleet for up

  • The Contrails: Aircraft, Weapons Systems: F-22A Raptor

    Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin, BoeingFunction: Air Dominance, Multi-Role FighterService Date: 2002 Speed: Mach 2.25 Supercruise: Mach 1.82Crew: OneProduction: 187 Inventory: 183Commentary: The F-22A reached IOC in December 2005, and on Jan. 21, 2006, it flew its first operational sortie from Langley

  • The Contrails: Aircraft, Weapons Systems: F-16A/B/C/D Fighting Falcon

    Manufacturer: Lockheed MartinFunction: Multirole FighterService Date: 1979Speed: 1,500 mphCrew: One (A/C), Two (B/D)Production: 2,206 Inventory: 1,018Commentary: A versatile, low-cost multirole fighter originally designed as a daylight air superiorityfighter. Later versions specialized in

  • The Contrails: Aircraft, Weapons Systems: F-15E Strike Eagle

    Manufacturer: McDonnell DouglasFunction: Air-to-Ground Attack AircraftService Date: 1988Speed: 1,875 mphCrew: TwoProduction: 236Inventory: 219Commentary: A heavily modified, two-seat, dual-role variant of the F-15, with weaponssystems integrated for all-weather deep interdiction missions and as

  • The Contrails: Aircraft, Weapons Systems: F-15A/B/C/D Eagle

    Manufacturer: McDonnell Douglas, now BoeingFunction: Tactical FighterService Date: 1974 Speed: 1,875 mphCrew: One (A/C), Two (B/D) Production: 874 Inventory: 249Commentary: F-15 fighters deployed to Desert Storm accounted for 34 of the 37 USAF air-to-airvictories, and in Iraqi Freedom F-15Cs' led

  • The Contrails: Aircraft, Weapons Systems: E-8C Joint STARS

    Manufacturer: Northrop GrummanFunction: AirborneBattle Management Service Date: 1997Speed: 587 mphCrew: 22 Production: 18 Inventory: 16Commentary: A modified Boeing 707-300 series equipped with a long-range air-to-ground radar capable of locating, classifying, and tracking vehicles moving on

  • The Contrails: Aircraft, Weapons Systems: E-4B

    Manufacturer: BoeingFunction: Airborne Operations CenterService Date: 1980Speed: 602 mph Crew: Up to 112Production: 4 Inventory: 4Commentary: Serves as the National Airborne Operations Center for the President, Secretary of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. This aircraft provides a highly