USAF Boeing EC-135N 61-0327 CN 18234 LN C3012 Editorial Image

USAF Boeing EC-135N 61-0327 CN 18234 LN C3012 . Taken in May 1998 . 0327 (was delivered to the USAF in November 1961 as a C-135A Stratolifter. In 1966 the aircraft was converted into an EC-135N Apollo Range Instrumentation Aircraft (A RIA), complete with a large “Snoopy Nose” or “Droop Snoot” that contained a steerable seven-foot antenna dish. Eight A RIA became operational in January 1968 and provided telemetry and communications support to the Apollo space missions. After Apollo ended in 1972, the USAF changed the name to Advanced Range Instrumentation Aircraft (ARIA). 61-0327’s “Snoopy Nose” was removed in the mid-1980s, but the aircraft retained an extensive communications system. In 1987, 61-0327 came to the 19th Air Refueling Wing (later Group) at Robins AFB, Georgia, where it joined an EC-135Y Stratotanker, 55-3125, as a special mission support aircraft. The two aircraft were dedicated airborne command posts for the Commander-in-Chief (CINC), United States Central Command (USCENTCOM). In 1997, the aircraft were transferred to Headquarters USCENTCOM at MacDill AFB, Florida. 55-3125 was retired in 1999 but 61-0327 continued serving CINCs until 2003 when it was retired for display at the Museum of Aviation.at Robins AFB, Georgia