Offutt trio of Constant Phoenix 'Nuke Sniffers' is complete

On 4 December 2023, the third and final 'OF' coded Boeing WC-135R, with serial number 64-14829, arrived at Offutt AFB (NE). On 8 November 2020, Scramble Magazine first reported about the former Constant Phoenix aircraft and the overhauling and modifying of the first of three KC-135R Stratotankers into WC-135R.

The latest arrival of the Constant Phoenix marks a new era for the USAF, which transitioned from the legacy WC-135C/WC-135W fleet to the 'new' WC-135R fleet. The WC-135R's primary mission, which is operated by the 45th Reconnaissance Squadron, part of Offutt's 55th Wing, is in support of collecting national global atmospheric (nuclear) data. The first WC-135R arrived in July 2022 and the second this past May.

Being 60 years of age next year, 64-14829 was originally delivered to the USAF in 1964 and most recently flew with the Arizona Air National Guard's 197th Air Refueling Squadron/161st Air Refueling Wing. After being modified by the 645th Aeronautical Systems Group, also known as 'Big Safari', '829' arrived at Offutt from Greenville (TX) with a brand-new cockpit and CFM56 turbofan engines.

The following OF coded WC-135R are now part of 45th Reconnaissance Squadron's inventory: 64-14829, 64-14831 and 64-14836.

Credit photos: USAF / Credit patch: Flightlineinsignia.com