Veteran reunites with 'old friend' in Sioux City after 60 years

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) – An aircraft maintainer can tell in an instant if they have worked on a particular airframe, even 60 years later.

According to a release from the 185 Air Refueling Wing, Air Force veteran crew chief Richard Devine reached out to the Iowa Air Guard after he found a news story about a military aircraft, he had crewed more than 60 years ago.

The release states that the U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker with the tail number 58-0057 had been returned to the 185 Air Refueling Wing from periodic maintenance and a fresh paint job when Devine recognized the craft.

Devine asked the Air Guard if he could tour the KC-135, explaining that he had crewed it while at the Loring Air Force Base in the late 1950s to early 1960s.

According to the release, the aircraft’s current crew chief Master Sergeant Jamie Bethune met on the flight line in Sioux City, and Bethune was happy to show off the updated KC-135.

As Devine and Bethune toured the KC-135, Devine reminisced about his time maintaining aircrafts during his time in the air force. The release states that Devine would have been part of the first-generation KC-135 crew members.

When Devine saw the story and photos about tail number 057, it was like he found a long-lost friend, according to the release.

U.S. Air Force Veteran Richard Devine of Omaha Neb. stands with Master Sgt. Jamie Bethune in front of a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker, tail 58-0057 assigned to the Iowa Air National Guard’s 185th Air Refueling Wing in Sioux City, Iowa on March 30, 2023. Devine was one of the original crew chiefs of 58-0057 when the aircraft first entered service in the late 1950’s. Devine served during the late 1950’s and early 1960’s and was stationed at Loring Air Force Base as part of the 42nd Air Refueling Squadron. U.S. Air National Guard photo Senior Master Sgt. Vincent De Groot
United States Air Force Veteran Richard Devine of Omaha Neb. climbs the ladder of a U.S. Air Force KC-135 through the crew hatch tail 58-0057 assigned to the Iowa Air National Guard’s 185th Air Refueling Wing in Sioux City, Iowa on March 30, 2023. Devine was one of the original crew chiefs of 58-0057 when it first entered service in the late 1950’s. Devine served during the late 1950’s and early 1960’s and was stationed at Loring Air Force Base as part of the 42nd Air Refueling Squadron. U.S. Air National Guard photo Senior Master Sgt. Vincent De Groot
U.S. Air Force Veteran, Richard Devine of Omaha Neb. in the cockpit of a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker, tail 58-0057 that is assigned to the Iowa Air National Guard’s 185th Air Refueling Wing in Sioux City, Iowa on March 30, 2023. Devine was one of the original crew chiefs of 58-0057 when the aircraft first entered service in the late 1950’s. Devine served during the late 1950’s and early 1960’s and was stationed at Loring Air Force Base as part of the 42nd Air Refueling Squadron. U.S. Air National Guard photo Senior Master Sgt. Vincent De Groot
U.S. Air Force Veteran, Richard Devine of Omaha Neb. poses for a photo near a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker, tail 58-0057 assigned to the Iowa Air National Guard’s 185th Air Refueling Wing in Sioux City, Iowa on March 30, 2023. Devine was one of the original crew chiefs of 58-0057 when the aircraft first entered service in the late 1950’s. Devine served during the late 1950’s and early 1960’s at Loring Air Force Base as part of the 42nd Air Refueling Squadron. U.S. Air National Guard photo Senior Master Sgt. Vincent De Groot
Photo of Airmen Richard Devine in the cockpit of a U.S. Air Force KC-135A Statotanker in 1959. The Omaha Neb. native served in the Air Force from 1958 to 1963. During his time in the Air Force Devine was a KC-135 crew chief. Photo submitted
Airmen Richard Devine in uniform during the summer of 1959 at Loring Air Force Base in Maine. Devine was stationed at Loring during his entire enlistment until 1963. Photo submitted
U.S. Air Force Veteran Richard Devine of Omaha Neb. tours a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker, tail 58-0057 with Master Sgt. Jamie Bethune that is now assigned to the Iowa Air National Guard’s 185th Air Refueling Wing in Sioux City, Iowa on March 30, 2023. Devine was one of the original crew chiefs of 58-0057 when the aircraft first entered service in the late 1950’s. Devine served until the early 1960’s and was stationed at Loring Air Force Base near Caribou Maine as part of the 42nd Air Refueling Squadron. U.S. Air National Guard photo Senior Master Sgt. Vincent De Groot
U.S. Air Force Veteran Richard Devine of Omaha Neb. stands near the landing gear of a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker, tail 58-0057 as tours the aircraft with Master Sgt. Jamie Bethune at the Iowa Air National Guard’s 185th Air Refueling Wing in Sioux City, Iowa on March 30, 2023. Devine was one of the original crew chiefs of 58-0057 when the aircraft first entered service in the late 1950’s. Devine served through the early 1960’s and was stationed at Loring Air Force Base near Caribou Maine as part of the 42nd Air Refueling Squadron. U.S. Air National Guard photo Senior Master Sgt. Vincent De Groot
Master Sgt. Jamie Bethune and Air Force Veteran Richard Devine look at the engine of a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker, tail 58-0057 at the Iowa Air National Guard’s 185th Air Refueling Wing in Sioux City, Iowa on March 30, 2023. Devine was one of the original crew chiefs of 58-0057 when the aircraft first entered service in the late 1950’s. Devine served through the early 1960’s and was stationed at Loring Air Force Base as part of the 42nd Air Refueling Squadron. U.S. Air National Guard photo Senior Master Sgt. Vincent De Groot
Master Sgt. Jamie Bethune gives a tour of a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker tail 58-0057 to Veteran crew chief Richard Devine at the Iowa Air National Guard’s 185th Air Refueling Wing in Sioux City, Iowa on March 30, 2023. Devine was one of the original crew chiefs of 58-0057 when the aircraft first entered service in the late 1950’s. Devine served during the late 1950’s through the early 1960’s just as the new jet powered air refueling aircraft came online. U.S. Air National Guard photo Senior Master Sgt. Vincent De Groot