The KC-135 Stratotanker has been in service longer than most of us have been alive.

Born out of the cold war need for nuclear deterrence the Air Force purchased 800 of the airframes from 1957 - 1965 in order to keep B-52 bombers airborne around the globe.

We recently had the opportunity to chat with the senior materiel leader and Legacy Tanker Division chief Col. Mark Mocio about the challenges his team at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma face in keeping 60+ year old airframes in the fight.

The plan now is to keep at least 75 percent of the current KC-135 fleet available for service to 2050 and beyond.

Col. Mocio explained that the key to achieving that goal is in partnering with stakeholders throughout the Air Force and Industry, and in utilizing the robust weapons system integrity plan all working to solve tomorrow's problems today.

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