C-135's served as Air Force One and have been modified into electronic warfare aircraft, weather reconaissance, airborne command post and special purpose aircraft.
Fuel is carried in six wing and four fuselage tanks.
All but 1,000 gallons can be pumped via the extendable boom at the rear of the aircraft into waiting receivers. Aircraft being refueled line up following rows of lights on the underside of the KC-135. The boom operator lies in a prone position and will fly the boom into the receiving aircraft's fuel receptacle. Eighty troops or 25 tons of cargo can also be carried in the main fuselage. These aircraft contained a miniaturized version of SAC headquarters at Offutt AFB and could direct bombers and missiles if ground stations were rendered inoperable.