OMAHA- The Tail Number 582, a WC-135C "nuke sniffer" aircraft that flew out of Offutt Air Force Base for its 56-year career has finally been retired. The plane was well known for flying airmen around the world, but frequently broke down and left them stranded. This is the first time one of the 55th Wing's planes has been retired since 1998. These kinds of planes are used to monitor other countries compliance with the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (1963).

The jet was scheduled to go through a lengthy renovation process, but it seemed like a better option to retire it. The last operational flight was on Nov. 2. in which it then received a water cannon salute with airport fire hoses upon landing. Tail 582 originally was delivered to Offutt in 1965 and has flown over 29,680 flight hours. It is being put to rest in the Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona.

One of the most notorious breakdowns the plane had was in March 2017, when the engine caught fire at 31,000 elevation over the Indian Ocean en route to Okinawa, Japan. The plane landed safely, but passengers had no passports and thus were forced to sleep on the plane while waiting for repairs.

“This is definitely a very fitting send-off, for that stupid, wonderful, terrible jet,” said Tristin Redfern.

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