name that tanker

Here’s your chance, tanker haters! The U.S. Air Force is apparently allowing airmen to suggest names for the new KC-45A. Of course tanker lovers are welcome, too.

I’m sure the suggestions will range depending on what camp you are in. Of course, both the Northrop Grumman/EADS and Boeing teams had their own furry mascots during the very contentious competition. Perhaps that is a starting point.

For the record, Northrop Grumman says their green reptilian thing is a toad, not a tanker frog (that has nothing to do with the French heavy ranks of their team, they say). Boeing’s was the tanker tiger.

But, I’m sure we can do better. The Stratotanker (KC-135) and the Extender (KC-10) are notably unhip. From May 15 to May 30, active duty, Guard and Reserve airmen as well as Air Force government civilians can offer their ideas via this email:
namethetanker@pentagon.af.mil.
A few options that come to the mind of cynical reporter that has been reporting on the tanker competition for, perhaps, too long: the Snail (how long ago was this thing supposed to be fielded?), the McCain (here’s your chance, USAF, to make amends with the potential future president), the Protestor (it was tanker, after all, that opened the floodgates of procurement protests), or possibly an homage to the “new” aerospace industry NG and EADS are bringing to Alabama — the Skynyrd. And, if you don’t know that reference, you must be stuck getting your rock in the Washington-state grunge mode.

Let us know what your ideas are!