The Air Force is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the very first KC-135 Stratotanker flight this week.

McConnell Air Force Base is hosting an anniversary ceremony on Wednesday featuring retired General Stephen R. Lrenz, who was a KC-135 pilot and also served as Air Education Training Command commander.

"The KC-135 is the backbone of the tanker fleet, but the Airmen are the heart of the KC-135," said Col. Albert Miller, 22nd Air Refueling Wing commander in a press release. "Dedicated aircrews, maintainers and support personnel worked countless hours to ensure the readiness of the KC-135 for the past 60 years and will continue to ensure our nation's Global Reach for the many years to come."

The KC-135, which flew on Aug. 31, 1956 will be on display, as well as a static display to tour and a KC-135 flyover.

Akeam Ashford took flight in a KC-135 today to see how the refueling process works in mid-air.

Crews refueled a B-52 Bomber over Colorado, then headed south to Texas where it refueled eight F-16 Fighter Jets.

The KC-135 will soon be replaced by the KC-46A.

Those who have worked closely with the KC-135 say the aircraft has served the Air Force well, and it'll be hard to see them go.

"It is going to be tough," said SrA Jessie Adams. "You kind of get a tough skin, and you grow to be with this plane. This is the only air frame I've flown for the Air Force, so when it goes away, it's going to be a tough day."

The KC-135s that are at McConnell now will be transferred to another base. The Air Force will still use them until 2040.