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Newly painted KC-135 with black-and-white invasion stripes
On Sep. 21-22, the Nebraska Air National Guard’s 155th Air Refueling Wing brought history to life at the Central Coast AirFest, unveiling a KC-135R Stratotanker in a special heritage paint scheme. As told by Staff Sgt. Alexander Schriner, US Air National Guard, in the article Last Man Standing: 155th ARW Honors WWII Pilot with Heritage Jet at Central Coast AirFest, the tribute honors Captain Jim Kunkle, a 102-year-old WWII P-38 pilot from the 401st Fighter Squadron, and commemorates the squadron’s legacy.
“This project is really special for us,” said Col. Andrew Malousek, vice wing commander of the 155th ARW. “It connects our past with the present and honors a remarkable legacy. Many WWII veterans are no longer with us, and the fact that we have the opportunity to celebrate Captain Kunkle and his service is incredible.”
The idea took shape in 2018 when Airmen from the unit discovered the squadron’s WWII heritage patch labeled “Toast of the Host” and learned that Kunkle, one of its last surviving pilots, was still alive. The 155th ARW reached out to Kunkle, starting a relationship that led to this year’s commemorative paint scheme.
“Once things started to open up after COVID, Andrew got back in contact with me, and it has been fun ever since,” Kunkle shared. “They came out and gave me a ride over the Pacific range, and we got to refuel some F-15s. I got to see firsthand what I had only heard about, what modern fighters can do, and what we can do for them. It’s been a terrific experience being with all the folks from Nebraska.”
Nose art inspired by P-38
The newly painted KC-135 features black-and-white invasion stripes and nose art inspired by Kunkle’s P-38, bringing the history of the 401st Fighter Squadron, part of the 370th Group under the 9th Air Force, into the present. In 1947, the 401st transformed into the 173rd Air Refueling Squadron, now part of the 155th ARW.
“We are the living link to their legacy,” Malousek said.
During the event, Kunkle toured the aircraft and signed a bulkhead inside the jet with a personalized message honoring the 401st Fighter Squadron. He also wrote a note on a test-painted sheet metal piece, thanking the maintainers for their hard work in preparing the aircraft.
“I would have to tell you, it’s been emotional for me,” Kunkle said. “It’s a contact that I’m glad we made and the people have been wonderful. The stripes were a big surprise. I couldn’t believe it.”
The 155th ARW also presented Kunkle with a US flag that had flown aboard the KC-135 and a California Air National Guard F-15 from the air refueling he took part of last year.
KC-135 with black-and-white invasion stripes to remain in service until 2025
Kunkle reflected on the significance of the project.
“On my second trip to Normandy, we visited a small village where our airfield once stood. There’s a monument to the 366th and 370th Groups, and the French hold a ceremony there every year with fresh flowers. It’s gratifying to see that memory carried forward,” Kunkle said. “Your airplane really represents the 401st to me and all my friends. For whatever reason, I’m still here and I guess I’m the last man standing.”
Kunkle’s admiration for the Nebraska Air National Guard and its people was clear.
“I can probably say thank you, but that’s sparse words for how I really feel,” Kunkle said. “Everyone I’ve met from Nebraska has been top form. Keep up the good work.”
The KC-135 heritage jet will remain in service with its WWII-inspired paint scheme until 2025. While the paint may fade over time, the impact of this project will endure.
From 401st Fighter Squadron to 155th Air Refueling Wing
The Nebraska Air National Guard is the second oldest Air National Guard unit in the nation. It began with the activation of the 401st Fighter Squadron at Westover Field, Massachussetts on July 1, 1943.
The squadron was based in England during World War II, flying P-38s and P-51s on nearly 250 combat missions. It was awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation for outstanding serving during the German offensive of Dec. 2, 1944. The unit also took part in the European Air Offensive and campaigns in the Ardennes, Northern France, Normandy, Rhineland and Central Europe. It was deactivated on Nov. 7, 1944.
The 401st was assigned to the National Guard and redesignated as the 173rd Fighter Squadron, Nebraska Air National Guard.
In April 1992 the unit was directed to convert to the KC-135R Stratotanker mission when the US Air Force decided to begin retiring the last of the F-4 Phantom II aircraft. The conversion to the aerial refueling mission began in January 1993 with the arrival of the first tanker aircraft.
On Oct. 1, 1995, the unit was redesignated as the 155th Air Refueling Wing after achieving initial operational capability in the refueling mission three months early. They successfully passed their first post-conversion inspection and Operational Readiness Inspection conducted by Air Mobility Command in April 1996 and were certified fully combat ready to support wartime tasking in the aerial tanker mission.
Since then, the unit has supported operations around the world.
Invasion Stripes
D-Day, Jun. 6, 1944—history’s largest amphibious invasion—sparked the liberation of Europe. Airmen enabled its success by breaking the Luftwaffe, crippling enemy transportation, gathering intelligence, and directly supporting Allied ground forces.
To aid in recognition and prevent casualties from friendly fire, Allied aircraft were hastily painted with black and white “invasion stripes” on the night of June. 5-6, 1944.
Generalleutnant Fritz Bayerlein, Panzer Lehr Division commander, recalled the air attacks undertaken by allied aircraft on Jun. 6, 1944; “The aircraft flew over us continuously, passing above us like a conveyor belt…My front positions resembled a scene from the moon, and at least 70% of my troops were out of action—dead, buried, or stunned. All of my forward tanks were disabled and the roads were practically impassable.”
Photo credit: Staff Sgt. Alexander D. Schriner / U.S. Air National Guard
