Mildenhall 27.12.2008

Location : Suffolk Spotter Watch Member : No

The following were noted at 1130.

KC-135R 60-0334 168thARS/AK ANG bl (arr "RCH 334")
KC-135R 59-1476 white tail band with no markings (arr "RCH 9476")
KC-135T 58-0103 92/141stARW bk (arr "RCH 8103")

Subject: Mildenhall 2008-12-27, 10:09

Why are KC-135's using Reach callsigns and not Quid or others eg Esso,thought Reach was cargo aircraft only.

Location : essex Spotter Watch Member : No

Quid is only used by the Mildenhall 135s , the stateside 135s will use other callsigns, including Reach when they are doing cargo flights, if you see one, have a look on the left side just behined the cockpit area, there is a hugh cargo-door.
HTH
Dave

Guest

lowlevel wrote:: Why are KC-135's using Reach callsigns and not Quid or others eg Esso,thought Reach was cargo aircraft only.

Hi Lowlevel.
Primary roll of the KC 135 is a Tanker, secondary roll of Transport
K = kerosene Tanker
C = Cargo
hence KC-135

Location : Suffolk Spotter Watch Member : No

The KC-135s are using "RCH" (pronounced "Reach") because "RCH" is the three letter ICAO designator assigned to Air Mobility Command (AMC). As well as types such as C-5, KC-10, C-17 & C-130, several active duty KC-135 units belong to AMC and use this callsign on a regular basis, as do ANG and AFRC aircraft flying AMC missions.

Guest

Dougie wrote:: The following were noted at 1130.

KC-135R 60-0334 168thARS/AK ANG bl (arr "RCH 334")
KC-135R 59-1476 white tail band with no markings (arr "RCH 9476")
KC-135T 58-0103 92/141stARW bk (arr "RCH 8103")

60-0334 KC-135R departed this morning as Reach 321

Subject: Mildenhall 2008-12-28, 10:41

Thanks for the replies,about Reach callsigns,all understood.

Subject: Re: Mildenhall 27.12.2008 2008-12-29, 02:21

Dougie wrote:: The KC-135s are using "RCH" (pronounced "Reach") because "RCH" is the three letter ICAO designator assigned to Air Mobility Command (AMC). As well as types such as C-5, KC-10, C-17 & C-130, several active duty KC-135 units belong to AMC and use this callsign on a regular basis, as do ANG and AFRC aircraft flying AMC missions.

Small addition maybe, they are flying with RCH callsign if this flight is funded (paid for) by AMCC.
They will fly with their regular callsign if the mission is funded from their own unit/command budget, as i was told by the crew of Deecee 95 at Volkel in 2007

Good example maybe are the tankers to/from Geilenkirchen for TDY, they are always using their unit Callsign never a RCH.

Grtz
Joost

Subject: Re: Mildenhall 27.12.2008