Fly the Fleet
Known as the “Commander’s Plane” due to the distinctive yellow markings, a KC-135 Stratotanker lifts off at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich., Nov. 4, 2012. The KC-135 is flown by the 171st Air Refueling Squadron and maintained by the 191st Maintenance Squadron and 191st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. The striping on the mid-section of the aircraft features the black and yellow checkerboard design that has been marking aircraft of the 191st since the early 1970s, when the unit was flying F-106 Delta Darts and became known as “The Michigan Six-Pack.” The styling of the stripe also recalls the heritage of the former Strategic Air Command of the U.S. Air Force, units of which were assigned to Selfridge in the 1950s and ‘60s. (Air National Guard photo by John S. Swanson)