LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
The Boeing KC-135, known as the Speckled Trout, arrived at Lackland Air Force Base June 16 for use as a training aircraft with the 344th Training Squadron Career Enlisted Aviator Center of Excellence.
The unit will use the Speckled Trout for training aircrew members such as refueling boom operators, loadmasters, flight attendants and airborne missions systems specialists at the Lackland Training Annex.
According to Master Sgt. Stacy Vaughan, the aircraft will provide students with considerable benefits.
"Hands-on training better prepares aircrew members for what they're going to do in the field," said Sergeant Vaughan.
He added that the aircraft's various features, such as extensive communications equipment, a boom pod and distinguished visitor facilities, will lead to better training for students.
"It involves so many of our people," said Mark Smith, training manager. "The boom operators, the flight attendants, the loadmasters, just about everybody can look at it. It just enhances the training experience. It's difficult to put a dollar value on that."
The aircraft will be dismantled and trucked from the Kelly Field Annex to the LTA.
It will be reconstructed on the drill pad near the training annex entrance. According to Sergeant Vaughan, this undertaking may present a challenge.
"The logistics of moving an aircraft across city streets are very difficult," he said.
He added that permits are currently being obtained from city officials for the KC-135's move to its final location.
Constructed in 1957 at Boeing's Seattle plant, the Speckled Trout has an extensive service record with the Air Force.
It was originally designed as a tanker but was subsequently converted to a personnel transport for use by Strategic Air Command. The aircraft was transferred to Air Combat Command in 1992 and functioned as the commander's personal transport.
In 1998, it was transferred to the Pacific Air Forces and was used by the PACAF commander until 2002, when it was used as a flight test aircraft at Edwards AFB by the 412th Flight Test Squadron.
During this period, the airplane also served as the personal transport for the Chief of Staff of the Air Force.
The Speckled Trout's use as a testing platform for new technologies added to its historical value.
The aircraft was used to test cell phones in flight for the Federal Aviation Administration and also pioneered the use of aerial multi-passenger networking.
The considerable communications and monitoring capabilities of its systems were incorporated into the E-4 Advanced Airborne Command Post. Much of the equipment subsequently used on this aircraft was originally tested on the Speckled Trout.
The Speckled Trout was featured as a stand-in for Air Force One in the film "Transformers."
According to Sergeant Vaughan, this historical value is central to the aircraft's future location.
"We want it to be located somewhere folks can see it," he said. "We hope everyone will benefit from being able to see that aircraft."