The phrase "Nobody Kicks Ass Without Tanker Gas" (NKAWTG) has become a well-known, if informal, motto within the U.S. Air Force, reflecting the vital role of aerial refuelling in modern air operations. At the heart of that mission is the KC-135 Stratotanker, a refuelling aircraft that has been in continuous service since 1957.Based on the Boeing 707 airframe, the KC-135 was the USAF’s first jet-powered tanker and has supported nearly every major U.S. military operation over the past six decades. Its primary role is to extend the range and endurance of combat and support aircraft, enabling global reach and sustained air presence.The NKAWTG motto highlights a simple reality: without tanker support, strategic and tactical airpower would be severely limited. The KC-135 and its crews provide that essential capability—quietly, reliably, and often without fanfare.
