Since Fairchild Air Force Base first received the refueling mission in 1957, four KC-135s and more than 60 airmen have been killed in mishaps over the last 50 years.

The last crash involving a KC-135 was in January 1999, when a Fairchild-based tanker with the 141st Air Refueling Wing went down during a training exercise at the NATO airbase at Geilenkirchen, Germany. The aircraft, dubbed "Esso 77", was performing touch and gos and had just taken off from the airbase when it crashed into a heavily wooded area.

Washington Air National Guardsmen Major David Fite, Captain Ken Thiele, Major Matthew Laiho and Technical Sergeant Rich Visintainer were killed in the crash. A memorial was dedicated in their memory near the crash site in 2000.

Prior to that, there were three other crashes involving KC-135s around Fairchild Air Force Base:

Fairchild Air Force Base should get word later this month whether it will become the permanent home for the Air Force's new KC-46A tankers.

A decision was expected this week but has been postponed.

Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers has been a strong advocate of Fairchild landing the next generation of tankers. She said Fairchild is strategically positioned because of it's relationship with the Washington Air National Guard.

"One distinguishing factor for Fairchild is the association between the Guard and the active duty. Fairchild is the only base that has the association and it's a model for the Air Force, and the Guard, the Air National Guard is making a big push. Fairchild should be the one," she said.

Fairchild is one of four bases vying for the new tankers, but one question hanging out there in Airway Heights is would the Spokane Tribe's proposed casino project jeopardize Fairchild's chances of getting the KC-46A?

A new study, compiled by Madison Government Affairs, a Washington, DC-based government relations firm, and paid for by the Spokane Tribe, said it would not impact Fairchild's chances of getting the tanker.

The sounds of cattle, sheep, goats and pigs are echoing through the buildings of the Spokane Interstate Fairgrounds this week. The 78th Junior Livestock Show is in full swing.

Fluttering around the sounds of the farm is the sound of old friends re-connecting and new friendships being made. On the outside, the junior show appears to be all about the animals, but it is a cornucopia of smiles from hardworking kids and proud parents, sharp dressed cowgirls and cowboys with their perfectly trimmed steers, sheep wearing spandex and gleaming white goats looking for their next mouthful of alfalfa.

The Junior Show draws families from all across eastern Washington, north Idaho and western Montana.

“It's kind of a family tradition. My wife showed sheep and her dad before her,” said Eric Keller.

He and his wife have four children and raise sheep on their Deer Park ranch. Keller says the farm life is a way of life, one that helps build a strong foundation for their life.