A recce-configured Rafale receives fuel from a C-135FR Stratotanker over the Central African Republic.

A recce-configured Rafale receives fuel from a C-135FR Stratotanker over the Central African Republic.

The ageing C-135FR still provides sterling service to the Armee de I’Air. No mission could be undertaken in Africa without tanker support.

Routine maintenance and refueling is completed at the end of a mission over the Central African Republic.

The C-135FR’s instrument panel betrays the age of the aircraft.

The navigator’s instrument panel has recently been modernised with a modern flight management system for ease of operation.

The Safer air-droppable container contains survival equipment. It is located in a cradle at the rear of the C-135FR’s main cabin.