‘Skipper III’ nose art dedication recognizes special bond, legacy of 100th Bomb Group The latest nose art to adorn a 100th Air Refueling Wing KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft, "Skipper III," was unveiled during a dedication ceremony at Royal Air Force Mildenhall May 7. Source: www.mildenhall.af.mil
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s a way of reconnecting with 100th Bombardment Group history, tail number 59-1470 took on the name “Skipper III” as a tribute to retired Master Sgt. Dewey Christopher, former 351st Bomb Squadron crew chief and veteran of the 100th BG and World War II. His son, Gary Christopher, joined the ceremony online from his home in Texas. Back in June 2019, Gary accompanied Dewey on a visit to RAF Mildenhall for a special ceremony when the Professional Development Center was renamed in his father’s honor. As part of the 2019 visit, one of the KC-135s was given temporary nose art of "Skipper III" in
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recognition of Dewey, who joined the U.S. Army Air Force in December 1941, immediately after hearing of the attack on Pearl Harbor. During World War II, as a maintenance crew chief stationed at Thorpe Abbots in Norfolk, England, he worked on B-17 Flying Fortress aircraft including "Skipper" and "Skipper II." Dewey shared with Team Mildenhall Airmen his favorite part about being a crew chief and maintainer. “It was having the satisfaction of knowing I was giving my crew the best airplane I possibly could,” he remarked. “You don’t compromise when working on airplanes -- you can’t just pull over to the side of the road and
ABOVE: “Skipper III,” nose art. designed by Gary Rogers, 100th ARW Public Affairs graphic artist. BELOW: “Skipper III,” is unveiled by Gary Rogers, and Senior Airman William Cook, 100th Maintenance Squadron aircraft structural maintenance technician.
