Air Force Reserve crew chiefs prepare to launch a KC-135R Stratotanker Jan. 29, 2008, from the 940th Air Refueling Wing, Beale Air Force Base, Calif. Air Force officials have announced Northrop Grumman as the winner of the KC-X competition for the development and procurement of up to 179 KC-45 tanker aircraft to eventually replace the Eisenhower-era KC-135s. (U.S. Air Force photo/MSgt. Ellen L. Hatfield)