Approximately 100 members of the 141st Air Refueling Wing from Fairchild Air Force Base near Spokane were activated to support the U.S. Military action in Iran. This reminded me that I knew an expert on the subject and invited him to join me and offer his insight and wisdom about these aircraft and the risks involved. 

Brigadier General (Ret.) Donald L. Powell is a former commander of the 141st Air Refueling Wing at Fairchild Air Force Base. He served as the wing commander from 1993 to 1996 . The 141st Air Refueling Wing, part of the Washington Air National Guard, operates the KC-135 Stratotanker, which Powell was directly involved in commanding during his tenure.  In October 2004, he was recognized alongside other former wing commanders during the unit's 80th-anniversary celebration at Felts Field, representing a significant period of the wing's leadership.