At the time of this photo the aircraft was designated a TC-135B with the 24RS. By July 1 of that year it was assigned to the 45RS and the following year was lumped into the WC-135W MDS category with the rest of the former WC-135B aicraft. This according to the excellent Robert S Hopkins III book "The Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker-- More than a Tanker". It was a surprise to catch this aircraft as it showed up on a change-over Saturday for Red Flag at Nellis AFB.

FENIX67 on it a final flight to the Boneyard

USAF WC-135W was originally produced as C-135B, converted to WC-135B and later upgraded to WC-135W as we see today. This aircraft initially has same equipment as RC135 V/W, though additionally installed with an on-board atmospheric collection suite, allowing mission crew to detect radioactive debris 'clouds' in real time. The last of its kind, destined to be retired over the next six to twelve months, dependant on world peace status.

USAF WC-135W 'Constant Phoenix' RAF Mildenhall, Offutt AFB Nekraska core based.

Used at this time by the 10th ACCS based at RAF Mildenhall.