The US Air Force Meridian Air National Guard (ANG) has bid farewell to the last of the KC-135R air refuelling Stratotankers from Key Field, US.

ANG Wing commander Colonel Franklin Chalk said the KC-135s will be soon replaced by the new KC-46 air fuelling tanker.

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The tanker had been air-to-air refuelling for more than 19 years and was solely operated by the 186th Meridian ANG.

The KC-135 was built in 1958 and has achieved more than 19,000 hours service, according to WTOK.com.

The tanker has flown to Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, US, where it will receive avionics upgrades before it embarks on its next mission.

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