26 January 2023
A pair of US Air Force Boeing KC-135R Statotankers passed through Perth Airport on 26-27 January 2023 as part of an exercise to demonstrate their global reach capability, circumnavigating the Southern Hemisphere and covering 20,000 miles over seven days.
The two aircraft were from different bases and units in the USA:
57-1483 belonged to the 92nd Air Refuelling Wing, based at Fairchild AFB, Washington State, USA. It used the callsign ‘KNIGHT 01’ and was originally delivered to the USAF as a KC-135A on 31 October 1958 and was converted to KC-135R in June 1985. 63-8879 was from the 6th Air Refuelling Wing, based at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida. It used the callsign ‘BOLT 01’ and was originally delivered to the USAF as a KC-135A on 31 July 1964 and was converted to KC-135R in February 1993.
The KC-135s flew from MacDill Air Force Base (Florida, USA) – Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) – Cape Town (South Africa) – Perth, arriving on 26 January 2023.
Both departed Perth on 27 January 2023 to Christchurch (New Zealand), then on 28 January to Papeete (Tahiti). 57-1483 then flew direct to Fairchild AFB, while 63-8879 flew to MacDill AFB.
63-8879 Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker of 6th Air Refuelling Wing, US Air Force, at Perth Airport, Western Australia – 26 January 2023.
‘BOLT 01’ landing on runway 21 at 3:16pm. Based at MacDill AFB, Florida, USA. Originally delivered to the USAF as a KC-135A on 31 July 1964 and converted to KC-135R in February 1993.
Arrived with another KC-135R 57-1483 ‘KNIGHT 01’ from the 92nd Air Refuelling Wing, based at Fairchild AFB, Washington State, USA.
The two aircraft circumnavigated the Southern Hemisphere in an endurance mission covering roughly 20,000 miles over seven days, to demonstrate their global reach capability.
They flew MacDill Air Force Base (Florida, USA) – Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) – Cape Town (South Africa) – Perth. They departed on 27 January 2023 to Christchurch (New Zealand), then on 28 January to Papeete (Tahiti). 57-1483 then flew direct to Fairchild AFB in Washington State, USA, while 63-8879 instead flew to MacDill AFB.
Photo © David Eyre 63-8879 Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker of 6th Air Refuelling Wing, US Air Force, at Perth Airport, Western Australia – 26 January 2023.
‘BOLT 01’ taxying in at 3:23pm. Based at MacDill AFB, Florida, USA. Originally delivered to the USAF as a KC-135A on 31 July 1964 and converted to KC-135R in February 1993.
Arrived with another KC-135R 57-1483 ‘KNIGHT 01’ from the 92nd Air Refuelling Wing, based at Fairchild AFB, Washington State, USA.
The two aircraft circumnavigated the Southern Hemisphere in an endurance mission covering roughly 20,000 miles over seven days, to demonstrate their global reach capability.
They flew MacDill Air Force Base (Florida, USA) – Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) – Cape Town (South Africa) – Perth. They departed on 27 January 2023 to Christchurch (New Zealand), then on 28 January to Papeete (Tahiti). 57-1483 then flew direct to Fairchild AFB in Washington State, USA, while 63-8879 instead flew to MacDill AFB.
Photo © David Eyre 63-8879 Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker of 6th Air Refuelling Wing, US Air Force, at Perth Airport, Western Australia – 26 January 2023.
‘BOLT 01’ taxying in at 3:23pm. Based at MacDill AFB, Florida, USA. Originally delivered to the USAF as a KC-135A on 31 July 1964 and converted to KC-135R in February 1993.
Arrived with another KC-135R 57-1483 ‘KNIGHT 01’ from the 92nd Air Refuelling Wing, based at Fairchild AFB, Washington State, USA.
The two aircraft circumnavigated the Southern Hemisphere in an endurance mission covering roughly 20,000 miles over seven days, to demonstrate their global reach capability.
They flew MacDill Air Force Base (Florida, USA) – Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) – Cape Town (South Africa) – Perth. They departed on 27 January 2023 to Christchurch (New Zealand), then on 28 January to Papeete (Tahiti). 57-1483 then flew direct to Fairchild AFB in Washington State, USA, while 63-8879 instead flew to MacDill AFB.
Photo © David Eyre 63-8879 Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker of 6th Air Refuelling Wing, US Air Force, at Perth Airport, Western Australia – 26 January 2023.
‘BOLT 01’ taxying in at 3:23pm. Based at MacDill AFB, Florida, USA. Originally delivered to the USAF as a KC-135A on 31 July 1964 and converted to KC-135R in February 1993.
Arrived with another KC-135R 57-1483 ‘KNIGHT 01’ from the 92nd Air Refuelling Wing, based at Fairchild AFB, Washington State, USA.
The two aircraft circumnavigated the Southern Hemisphere in an endurance mission covering roughly 20,000 miles over seven days, to demonstrate their global reach capability.
They flew MacDill Air Force Base (Florida, USA) – Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) – Cape Town (South Africa) – Perth. They departed on 27 January 2023 to Christchurch (New Zealand), then on 28 January to Papeete (Tahiti). 57-1483 then flew direct to Fairchild AFB in Washington State, USA, while 63-8879 instead flew to MacDill AFB.
Photo © David Eyre 63-8879 Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker of 6th Air Refuelling Wing, US Air Force, at Perth Airport, Western Australia – 26 January 2023.
‘BOLT 01’ taxying in at 3:23pm. Based at MacDill AFB, Florida, USA. Originally delivered to the USAF as a KC-135A on 31 July 1964 and converted to KC-135R in February 1993.
Arrived with another KC-135R 57-1483 ‘KNIGHT 01’ from the 92nd Air Refuelling Wing, based at Fairchild AFB, Washington State, USA.
The two aircraft circumnavigated the Southern Hemisphere in an endurance mission covering roughly 20,000 miles over seven days, to demonstrate their global reach capability.
They flew MacDill Air Force Base (Florida, USA) – Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) – Cape Town (South Africa) – Perth. They departed on 27 January 2023 to Christchurch (New Zealand), then on 28 January to Papeete (Tahiti). 57-1483 then flew direct to Fairchild AFB in Washington State, USA, while 63-8879 instead flew to MacDill AFB.
Photo © David Eyre 63-8879 Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker of 6th Air Refuelling Wing, US Air Force, at Perth Airport, Western Australia – 26 January 2023.
‘BOLT 01’ taxying in at 3:23pm. Based at MacDill AFB, Florida, USA. Originally delivered to the USAF as a KC-135A on 31 July 1964 and converted to KC-135R in February 1993.
Arrived with another KC-135R 57-1483 ‘KNIGHT 01’ from the 92nd Air Refuelling Wing, based at Fairchild AFB, Washington State, USA.
The two aircraft circumnavigated the Southern Hemisphere in an endurance mission covering roughly 20,000 miles over seven days, to demonstrate their global reach capability.
They flew MacDill Air Force Base (Florida, USA) – Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) – Cape Town (South Africa) – Perth. They departed on 27 January 2023 to Christchurch (New Zealand), then on 28 January to Papeete (Tahiti). 57-1483 then flew direct to Fairchild AFB in Washington State, USA, while 63-8879 instead flew to MacDill AFB.
Photo © David Eyre 63-8879 Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker of 6th Air Refuelling Wing, US Air Force, at Perth Airport, Western Australia – 26 January 2023.
‘BOLT 01’ taxying in at 3:24pm. Based at MacDill AFB, Florida, USA. Originally delivered to the USAF as a KC-135A on 31 July 1964 and converted to KC-135R in February 1993.
Arrived with another KC-135R 57-1483 ‘KNIGHT 01’ from the 92nd Air Refuelling Wing, based at Fairchild AFB, Washington State, USA.
The two aircraft circumnavigated the Southern Hemisphere in an endurance mission covering roughly 20,000 miles over seven days, to demonstrate their global reach capability.
They flew MacDill Air Force Base (Florida, USA) – Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) – Cape Town (South Africa) – Perth. They departed on 27 January 2023 to Christchurch (New Zealand), then on 28 January to Papeete (Tahiti). 57-1483 then flew direct to Fairchild AFB in Washington State, USA, while 63-8879 instead flew to MacDill AFB.
Photo © David Eyre 63-8879 Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker of 6th Air Refuelling Wing, US Air Force, at Perth Airport, Western Australia – 26 January 2023.
‘BOLT 01’ parking on bay 160 on arrival at 3:25pm. Based at MacDill AFB, Florida, USA. Originally delivered to the USAF as a KC-135A on 31 July 1964 and converted to KC-135R in February 1993.
Arrived with another KC-135R 57-1483 ‘KNIGHT 01’ from the 92nd Air Refuelling Wing, based at Fairchild AFB, Washington State, USA.
The two aircraft circumnavigated the Southern Hemisphere in an endurance mission covering roughly 20,000 miles over seven days, to demonstrate their global reach capability.
They flew MacDill Air Force Base (Florida, USA) – Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) – Cape Town (South Africa) – Perth. They departed on 27 January 2023 to Christchurch (New Zealand), then on 28 January to Papeete (Tahiti). 57-1483 then flew direct to Fairchild AFB in Washington State, USA, while 63-8879 instead flew to MacDill AFB.
Photo © David Eyre 63-8879 Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker of 6th Air Refuelling Wing, US Air Force, at Perth Airport, Western Australia – 26 January 2023.
‘BOLT 01’ parked on bay 160 after arrival at 3:45pm. Based at MacDill AFB, Florida, USA. Originally delivered to the USAF as a KC-135A on 31 July 1964 and converted to KC-135R in February 1993.
Arrived with another KC-135R 57-1483 ‘KNIGHT 01’ from the 92nd Air Refuelling Wing, based at Fairchild AFB, Washington State, USA.
The two aircraft circumnavigated the Southern Hemisphere in an endurance mission covering roughly 20,000 miles over seven days, to demonstrate their global reach capability.
They flew MacDill Air Force Base (Florida, USA) – Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) – Cape Town (South Africa) – Perth. They departed on 27 January 2023 to Christchurch (New Zealand), then on 28 January to Papeete (Tahiti). 57-1483 then flew direct to Fairchild AFB in Washington State, USA, while 63-8879 instead flew to MacDill AFB.
Photo © David Eyre 63-8879 Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker of 6th Air Refuelling Wing, US Air Force, at Perth Airport, Western Australia – 26 January 2023.
‘BOLT 01’ parked on bay 160 after arrival at 3:45pm. Based at MacDill AFB, Florida, USA. Originally delivered to the USAF as a KC-135A on 31 July 1964 and converted to KC-135R in February 1993.
Arrived with another KC-135R 57-1483 ‘KNIGHT 01’ from the 92nd Air Refuelling Wing, based at Fairchild AFB, Washington State, USA.
The two aircraft circumnavigated the Southern Hemisphere in an endurance mission covering roughly 20,000 miles over seven days, to demonstrate their global reach capability.
They flew MacDill Air Force Base (Florida, USA) – Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) – Cape Town (South Africa) – Perth. They departed on 27 January 2023 to Christchurch (New Zealand), then on 28 January to Papeete (Tahiti). 57-1483 then flew direct to Fairchild AFB in Washington State, USA, while 63-8879 instead flew to MacDill AFB.
Photo © David Eyre 57-1483 Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker of 92nd Air Refuelling Wing, US Air Force, at Perth Airport, Western Australia – 26 January 2023.
‘KNIGHT 01’ landing on runway 21 at 3:30pm. Based at Fairchild AFB, Washington State, USA. Originally delivered to the USAF as a KC-135A on 31 October 1958 and converted to KC-135R in June 1985.
Arrived with another KC-135R 63-8879 ‘BOLT 01’ from the 6th Air Refuelling Wing, based at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida.
The two aircraft circumnavigated the Southern Hemisphere in an endurance mission covering roughly 20,000 miles over seven days, to demonstrate their global reach capability.
They flew from MacDill Air Force Base (Florida, USA) – Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) – Cape Town (South Africa) – Perth. They departed on 27 January 2023 to Christchurch (New Zealand), then on 28 January to Papeete (Tahiti). 57-1483 then flew direct to Fairchild AFB in Washington State, USA, while 63-8879 instead flew to MacDill AFB.
Photo © David Eyre 57-1483 Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker of 92nd Air Refuelling Wing, US Air Force, at Perth Airport, Western Australia – 26 January 2023.
‘KNIGHT 01’ taxying in at 3:38pm. Based at Fairchild AFB, Washington State, USA. Originally delivered to the USAF as a KC-135A on 31 October 1958 and converted to KC-135R in June 1985.
Arrived with another KC-135R 63-8879 ‘BOLT 01’ from the 6th Air Refuelling Wing, based at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida.
The two aircraft circumnavigated the Southern Hemisphere in an endurance mission covering roughly 20,000 miles over seven days, to demonstrate their global reach capability.
They flew MacDill Air Force Base (Florida, USA) – Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) – Cape Town (South Africa) – Perth. They departed on 27 January 2023 to Christchurch (New Zealand), then on 28 January to Papeete (Tahiti). 57-1483 then flew direct to Fairchild AFB in Washington State, USA, while 63-8879 instead flew to MacDill AFB.
Photo © David Eyre 57-1483 Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker of 92nd Air Refuelling Wing, US Air Force, at Perth Airport, Western Australia – 26 January 2023.
‘KNIGHT 01’ taxying in at 3:39pm. Based at Fairchild AFB, Washington State, USA. Originally delivered to the USAF as a KC-135A on 31 October 1958 and converted to KC-135R in June 1985.
Arrived with another KC-135R 63-8879 ‘BOLT 01’ from the 6th Air Refuelling Wing, based at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida.
The two aircraft circumnavigated the Southern Hemisphere in an endurance mission covering roughly 20,000 miles over seven days, to demonstrate their global reach capability.
They flew MacDill Air Force Base (Florida, USA) – Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) – Cape Town (South Africa) – Perth. They departed on 27 January 2023 to Christchurch (New Zealand), then on 28 January to Papeete (Tahiti). 57-1483 then flew direct to Fairchild AFB in Washington State, USA, while 63-8879 instead flew to MacDill AFB.
Photo © David Eyre 57-1483 Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker of 92nd Air Refuelling Wing, US Air Force, at Perth Airport, Western Australia – 26 January 2023.
‘KNIGHT 01’ taxying in at 3:39pm. Based at Fairchild AFB, Washington State, USA. Originally delivered to the USAF as a KC-135A on 31 October 1958 and converted to KC-135R in June 1985.
Arrived with another KC-135R 63-8879 ‘BOLT 01’ from the 6th Air Refuelling Wing, based at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida.
The two aircraft circumnavigated the Southern Hemisphere in an endurance mission covering roughly 20,000 miles over seven days, to demonstrate their global reach capability.
They flew MacDill Air Force Base (Florida, USA) – Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) – Cape Town (South Africa) – Perth. They departed on 27 January 2023 to Christchurch (New Zealand), then on 28 January to Papeete (Tahiti). 57-1483 then flew direct to Fairchild AFB in Washington State, USA, while 63-8879 instead flew to MacDill AFB.
Photo © David Eyre 57-1483 Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker of 92nd Air Refuelling Wing, US Air Force, at Perth Airport, Western Australia – 26 January 2023.
‘KNIGHT 01’ taxying in at 3:39pm. Based at Fairchild AFB, Washington State, USA. Originally delivered to the USAF as a KC-135A on 31 October 1958 and converted to KC-135R in June 1985.
Arrived with another KC-135R 63-8879 ‘BOLT 01’ from the 6th Air Refuelling Wing, based at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida.
The two aircraft circumnavigated the Southern Hemisphere in an endurance mission covering roughly 20,000 miles over seven days, to demonstrate their global reach capability.
They flew MacDill Air Force Base (Florida, USA) – Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) – Cape Town (South Africa) – Perth. They departed on 27 January 2023 to Christchurch (New Zealand), then on 28 January to Papeete (Tahiti). 57-1483 then flew direct to Fairchild AFB in Washington State, USA, while 63-8879 instead flew to MacDill AFB.
Photo © David Eyre 57-1483 Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker of 92nd Air Refuelling Wing, US Air Force, at Perth Airport, Western Australia – 26 January 2023.
‘KNIGHT 01’ taxying in at 3:39pm. Based at Fairchild AFB, Washington State, USA. Originally delivered to the USAF as a KC-135A on 31 October 1958 and converted to KC-135R in June 1985.
Arrived with another KC-135R 63-8879 ‘BOLT 01’ from the 6th Air Refuelling Wing, based at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida.
The two aircraft circumnavigated the Southern Hemisphere in an endurance mission covering roughly 20,000 miles over seven days, to demonstrate their global reach capability.
They flew MacDill Air Force Base (Florida, USA) – Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) – Cape Town (South Africa) – Perth. They departed on 27 January 2023 to Christchurch (New Zealand), then on 28 January to Papeete (Tahiti). 57-1483 then flew direct to Fairchild AFB in Washington State, USA, while 63-8879 instead flew to MacDill AFB.
Photo © David Eyre 57-1483 Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker of 92nd Air Refuelling Wing, US Air Force, at Perth Airport, Western Australia – 26 January 2023.
‘KNIGHT 01’ taxying in at 3:39pm. Based at Fairchild AFB, Washington State, USA. Originally delivered to the USAF as a KC-135A on 31 October 1958 and converted to KC-135R in June 1985.
Arrived with another KC-135R 63-8879 ‘BOLT 01’ from the 6th Air Refuelling Wing, based at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida.
The two aircraft circumnavigated the Southern Hemisphere in an endurance mission covering roughly 20,000 miles over seven days, to demonstrate their global reach capability.
They flew MacDill Air Force Base (Florida, USA) – Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) – Cape Town (South Africa) – Perth. They departed on 27 January 2023 to Christchurch (New Zealand), then on 28 January to Papeete (Tahiti). 57-1483 then flew direct to Fairchild AFB in Washington State, USA, while 63-8879 instead flew to MacDill AFB.
Photo © David Eyre 57-1483 Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker of 92nd Air Refuelling Wing, US Air Force, at Perth Airport, Western Australia – 26 January 2023.
‘KNIGHT 01’ taxying in at 3:40pm. Based at Fairchild AFB, Washington State, USA. Originally delivered to the USAF as a KC-135A on 31 October 1958 and converted to KC-135R in June 1985.
Arrived with another KC-135R 63-8879 ‘BOLT 01’ from the 6th Air Refuelling Wing, based at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida.
The two aircraft circumnavigated the Southern Hemisphere in an endurance mission covering roughly 20,000 miles over seven days, to demonstrate their global reach capability.
They flew MacDill Air Force Base (Florida, USA) – Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) – Cape Town (South Africa) – Perth. They departed on 27 January 2023 to Christchurch (New Zealand), then on 28 January to Papeete (Tahiti). 57-1483 then flew direct to Fairchild AFB in Washington State, USA, while 63-8879 instead flew to MacDill AFB.
Photo © David Eyre
David Eyre 
