USAF's commitment to Open Skies, the end is near

As expected, the USAF has sent one of its two Boeing 367-80 derivative OC-135B Open Skies aircraft to the Arizona Boneyard after the US withdrew from the treaty during late 2020. Scramble Magazine reported on 23 May 2020 that the US had submitted a notice of its decision to withdraw from the Treaty on Open Skies to the Treaty Depositaries and to all other States Parties to the Treaty.

On 12 May 2021, OC-135B, with serial number 61-2672, was noted as 'COBRA72' flying its last flight towards the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group at Davis-Monthan AFB near Tucson (AZ). The US has, while they withdrew from the Open Skies treaty, stated that there is no longer a mission requirement for the OC-135B.

This leaves only OC-135B 61-2670 still in the inventory of the 45th Reconnaissance Squadron, part of Offutt's 55th Wing. At this moment it is not known what the future will bring for '2670'.

Photo: USAF