The French Air and Space Force (Armée de l’Air et de l’Espace) held a historic ceremony on Monday, June 30, 2025, to mark the end of operations of the legendary K/C-135 tankers.

The event, held at Istres Air Base 125, celebrated the end of a mission that lasted more than six decades, with the retirement of the last three KC-135Rs still active in the French fleet.

The program included a conference on the 60-year history of the C-135 in the Strategic Air Forces, a static display of the aircraft and a military ceremony accompanied by a special flypast with a KC-135 escorted by the Patrouille de France, the official aerobatic group of the Air Force.

The symbolic closing of the cycle was made with a speech by General Stéphane Virem, commander of the Strategic Air Forces, before an audience of around 1,500 people.

A French K/C-135 flying alongside a Eurofighter Typhoon and an E-3 Sentry (FAF)
A French K/C-135 flying alongside a Eurofighter Typhoon and an E-3 Sentry (FAF)

With the retirement of the KC-135s, the 4/31 “Sologne” aerial refueling squadron, the last in France equipped with the type, was also deactivated.

The in-flight refueling mission is now entirely transferred to the A330 MRTT Phénix fleet, multi-role jets with greater range, cargo capacity and versatility for different operations, including transport and medical evacuation.

Original C-135F out of service since 2023

France received 12 Boeing C-135Fs for rigid boom aerial refueling missions from 1964 during the government of Charles de Gaulle.

The aircraft supported the fleet of Mirage IV fighter-bombers, which were tasked with delivering nuclear weapons for the Armée de l’Air et de l’Espace.

Despite following the original KC-135 design, the C-135Fs underwent modifications to meet the needs of the French Air Force, including the ability to carry up to 102 passengers or 40 stretchers.

A C-135F refuels a Mirage IV using the rigid boom with adapted hose/drogue kit (FAF)
A C-135F refuels a Mirage IV using the rigid boom with adapted hose/drogue kit (FAF)

In 1986, France upgraded the remaining 11 aircraft (one of the C-135Fs crashed in 1972), which received more powerful and fuel-efficient CFM56-2B engines – the jets were designated C-135FR.

Eleven years later, the Air Force acquired three KC-135Rs from the USAF, with rigid booms and also hose and drogue pods.

While the initial C-135FRs were retired by 2023, the KC-135R remained in service until the A330 MRTT fleet was completed.

All of the tankers were sold to the private company Metrea, which provides aerial refueling services to several countries.