The KC-135 tankers at RAF Mildenhall, Britain, have been flying a greater number of pure transport missions than they did four years ago. Stars and Stripes reports that the 100th Air Refueling Wing—the only tanking unit in US Air Forces in Europe—has gotten a larger share of cargo and people hauling missions primarily to handle what C-130 tactical transports—heavily used in the war on terror—haven’t been able to cover. The Stripes notes that in fiscal 2003, the 100th ARW flew about 70 non-tanker flying hours. In 2004 that doubled to just more than 170; in 2005, the number reached 577 and dropped some in 2006 to about 412.
Celebrating 100 Years of Liquid-Fueled Rockets
March 11, 2026
March 16, 2026, marks 100 years since Dr. Robert H. Goddard launched the world’s first liquid-fueled rocket. Over the past century, new and ever more capable liquid-fueled rockets have literally propelled humanity into space. Why liquid-fueled rockets?