USAF WC-135 “nuclear sniffer” deployed to the Mediterranean

Today, at around 13:45 CEST, a USAF Boeing WC-135 (reg. 64-14836) landed at Souda Bay AB, coming directly from the USA.

This is not the first appearance of this aircraft in the Mediterranean in recent times (in May, read here the article) we tracked one of its missions over the Ionian Sea and Libya, over the central Mediterranean.

The WC-135, also known as “Constant Phoenix” is an atmospheric reconnaissance aircraft used by the United States Air Force (USAF). Its primary purpose is to collect air samples to analyze the presence and composition of chemical and biological agents.

This aircraft is equipped with highly sensitive and sophisticated detection instruments, which enable it to monitor and identify chemical and biological substances in the air. Its capabilities allow it to detect and gather data on hazardous substances such as nuclear radiation, chemical weapons, air pollutants, and biological agents.

The WC-135 was initially developed during the Cold War to detect any nuclear tests conducted by foreign nations. However, over the years, its mission has expanded to include surveillance and analysis of other environmental threats and national security concerns.

Manned by a specialized crew of scientists and detection operators, the WC-135 can operate in various scenarios, including war theaters, crisis areas, as well as in monitoring missions for nuclear or chemical incidents.