French Air and Space Force bids farewell to the KC-135RG

On 30 June 2025, during a ceremony at Base Aérienne 125 (BA125) Istres/Le Tubé, the Armée de l'Air et de l'Espace (AAE, French Air and Space Force) officially retired its last KC-135RG Stratotanker.

The KC-135RG was second-hand acquired from the USAF in the late 1990s, while earlier C-135F models had been delivered to France between 1964 and 1965. These aircraft were upgraded to C-135FR standard between 1985 and 1988, receiving CFM International F108 turbofans and later fitted with MPRS (Multi-Point Refueling System) wing pods. The first C-135FR was withdrawn from service in October 2020, with the final aircraft retired in December 2023.

The official retirement of the KC-135RG roughly coincided with the delivery of the 13th A330MRTT "Phénix" Multi-Role Tanker Transport to the 31e Escadre Aérienne de Ravitaillement et de Transport Stratégiques (EARTS, Strategic Airlift and Air Refueling Wing). This aircraft is one of three A330s purchased under the 2020 government plan to support the aviation industry and converted into tankers. Two of these were acquired second-hand from the airline Avianca.

However, the KC-135RG has not yet flown its final mission. One aircraft will participate in the 14 July Bastille Day parade over the Champs-Élysées. Additionally, the three KC-135RGs and eleven former C-135FRs will continue flying under the Metrea banner, a US company operating former AAE aircraft.

The A330MRTTs of the 31st EARTS will be progressively upgraded to Standard 2, which includes enhanced self-protection systems and the MELISSA high-throughput satellite station. This upgrade will transform them into airborne command and control nodes capable of supporting complex air operations.

Credit photo: T. Laurent (via AirHistory.net)