I couldn't help but notice that the backseater seemed to be cool with the idea.

because she's doing something he could never do.

I light of the crash of two C135s two days ago emphasizes the responsibility in the hands of the boom operator. On my best day I would not have wanted that responsibility.

of this amazing plane was in 1955. They have been modified continually and still serve. In 1980 and in retirement from Boeing, my father's coworker saw him and said "can you believe those damn things are still flying?"

Amazing plane and amazing pilots.

My dad flew out of Thule in Greenland in what was a top-secret extremely dangerous mission.
He has footage of refueling an SR-71 before it was acknowledged.