These are the KC-135s that are powered with the TWA and American Airlines JT3 engines and are predominantly 1957 models. They were due to be replaced by a Boeing B-767-200 variant. Regards, JCK Senate briefed on KC-135 retirement timetable posted 1/20/2004 January 16, 2004 Senate briefed on KC-135 retirement timetable By Laura M. Colarusso Times staff writer Air Force officials have begun briefing congressional staffers on their plan for retiring 68 of the oldest KC-135 tankers. Staff members on the Senate Armed Services Committee were told Jan. 16 that in fiscal 2004, the Air Force will retire 12 KC-135Es. In 2005 and 2006, the service will retire 41 and 8 tankers, respectively, according to the Congressional Tanker Roadmap Update briefing dated Jan. 15. House committee members were briefed Jan. 15. The original plans had called for 37 tankers to retire this year, but the 2004 defense authorization bill prohibited the Air Force from getting rid of more than 12. To make up for the difference, officials had to move retirement of 25 jets to 2005, which was supposed to see only 16 tankers put out to pasture. As the E-model tankers are retired from Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve units, the Air Force will transfer newer R-models from the active duty to the reserve components. Pennsylvania guard and Michigan Reserve units will receive the first of those in February 2004, the briefing also states. The Air Force will hold off on retiring any beyond the 68 until a replacement aircraft is identified, said a source familiar with the program. Officials had hoped Congress would have approved the controversial Boeing 767 tanker lease by now so the Air Force could begin receiving KC-135E replacements by 2006. _________________________________________________________________ Learn how to choose, serve, and enjoy wine at Wine @ MSN. http://wine.msn.com/