61-2664 Memorial

ARIA 61-0328 MemorialTRIA 61-0331 MemorialTRIA 61-2664 MemorialSilent Flyer Memorial

The United States Air Force aircraft 61-2664, a Boeing C-135B TRIA, Telemetry Range Instrumentation Aircraft, converted to an RC-135S.

The most noticeable feature of the TRIA aircraft was the large radome mounted on the front of the plane. The TRIA shared this style of radome with the A/RIA, Apollo Range Instrumentation Aircraft. Inside the T/RIA's radome were two drum-style antennas and the aircraft radar. Inside the aircraft were an antenna operations panel and equipment racks for the RF equipment. This equipment was removed from the C-130 tracking aircraft and installed into the TRIA aircraft.

61-2664 was converted to an RC-135S plane and was used as a United States airborne intelligence platform Cobra Ball II. 61-2664 crashed on March 15, 1981, at Shemya Air Force Base Alaska on approach. There were 24 occupants of the aircraft, and the resultant crash killed 6.

Randy L. Losey

In Memory

• Staff SergeantSteven C. Balcer
• MajorWilliam R. Bennett
• First LieutenantLoren O. Ginter
• Master SergeantStephen L. Kish
• CaptainLarry A. Mayfield
• Staff SergeantHarry L. Parsons III