BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Master Sgt. Michael Harriman, a propulsion inspector with the 940th Maintenance Squadron, checks engine fan blades of an Air Force Reserve Command KC-135T for imperfections and wear July 6, 2006 during periodic maintenance. Due to a series of modernizations and careful maintenance through the years, the KC-135 is now one of the oldest, yet most reliable, aircraft defending America. Sergeant Harriman was inspecting Tail Number 60-0345, one of the youngest aircraft in the fleet. It was first delivered to the Air Force by Boeing on May 12, 1961. The KC-135 fleet will celebrate its 50th birthday in September. For more information on the KC-135 50th anniversary celebration, go to http://www.kc135.org/ . (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Bryan Smith)

BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Master Sgt. Michael Harriman, a propulsion inspector with the 940th Maintenance Squadron, checks engine fan blades of an Air Force Reserve Command KC-135T for imperfections and wear July 6, 2006 during periodic maintenance. Due to a series of modernizations and careful maintenance through the years, the KC-135 is now one of the oldest, yet most reliable, aircraft defending America. Sergeant Harriman was inspecting Tail Number 60-0345, one of the youngest aircraft in the fleet. It was first delivered to the Air Force by Boeing on May 12, 1961. The KC-135 fleet will celebrate its 50th birthday in September. For more information on the KC-135 50th anniversary celebration, go to http://www.kc135.org/ . (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Bryan Smith)