Speckled Trout reeled in to new home

  • Published
  • By Mike Joseph
  • 37th Training Wing Public Affairs
LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) --  A Boeing KC-135, "Speckled Trout ," which served as the personal aircraft of every Air Force Chief of Staff since 1975, was moved from Kelly Field Annex, Texas, to its new home at the Lackland Training Annex here Feb. 15.

The move culminated a process that began after the historic aircraft arrived at Lackland this past June from Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. The plane was originally bound for the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group, commonly known as "The Boneyard," in Arizona before being transferred to the 344th Training Squadron here.

"It went wonderfully," said Master Sgt. Stacy Vaughan, 344th TRS, who coordinated the move. "It took a little longer, about an hour and a half, than we expected but there were few snags if any. We're real happy to have it."

The plane, part of a fleet that was put into service in the late 1950s, will be used for training. Lt. Col. Marc Caudill's excitement when discussing the training possibilities was obvious.

"What an investment to the taxpayer when you think about how we brought this aircraft from its deathbed and now we're going to use it indefinitely as a premier trainer for these career enlisted aviators," said Colonel Caudill, 344th TRS commander.

Routes had to be planned and logistics considered before the contractor, Worldwide Recovery of Omaha, Neb., could obtain the necessary permits from the City of San Antonio to move the plane down city streets from Kelly to the training annex.

Airmen from the 37th Civil Engineer Squadron and security forces were also involved in the process. A section of fence at Kelly had to be taken down to truck the fuselage onto Military Drive. It then proceeded down Old Pearsall Road, along the access road of Loop 410, across an overpass above Interstate 410 and on to the annex, drawing a crowd along the way Feb. 15.

"We had quite a trail of people following us," Sergeant Vaughan said. "People were taking pictures of it with their cell phones."

Prior to the move, workers from Worldwide Recovery removed the engines, wings and tail section for the body of the aircraft to be moved. It took approximately two weeks to disassemble the plane, with the same time required to put it together once the fuselage reached its destination behind the 344th TRS.

"In order to transport from Kelly to Medina (Lackland Training Annex), our contractor was going to have to disassemble it," Colonel Caudill said. "That's painful to watch because it's a beautiful, pristine aircraft."

Four courses will benefit from the aircraft being at the training complex. Boom operators, airborne mission specialists, Air Force flight attendants and loadmasters will receive practical training in addition to emergency procedures and evacuations.

Colonel Caudill said the benefits of hands-on, onboard training are unbelievable, and take the courses to another level.

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