From its introduction into service in 1970 until its retirement in 1997, the Boeing CC137 showed the Canadian flag worldwide. Operation as a cargo carrier, passenger transport, VIP transport, and as an aerial refuelling tanker in support of CF-5 Freedom Fighter and later, CF-18 Hornet operational deployment, the fleet of five aircraft performed yeoman service for the Canadian military. Support of United Nations humanitarian operations was another highly visible application of this very adaptable aircraft. Operated by 437(T) Squadron from its base at CFB Trenton, the CC137 was in the forefront of the many and varied tasks that the Canadian Forces undertook over the years that the aircraft was in service. When the last two CC137s were replaced by the CC150 Polaris, the surplus aircraft were sold off, and three of them still soldier on as the E-8 JSTARS aircraft of the USAF.
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