The aircraft 83-4615 began its career in 1965 as N-4615, "Jean," a Boeing 727-35 purchased by National Airlines and entered into service in February 1965. In the early 1980's, National Airlines was bought by Pan American Airways, who then renamed N-4615 "Ring Leader." She served there until she was sold to Boeing Military Aircraft in 1983 under a contract to the National Guard for airlift service for the National Guard Bureau.

In 1983, the Boeing 727-35 became Boeing C-22B and was delivered to the 201st Airlift Squadron of the DC Air National Guard. The Boeing C-22B retained the name "Ring Leader" which she proudly shows today. Upon her delivery to the Air National Guard, she underwent several modifications.

General Characteristics

Primary Function: Passenger Transportation
Builder: Boeing Co.
Base model: C-22
Version:B
Power Plant: Three JT8D-7 turbofan engines
Thrust: 14,000 pounds each engine
Length: 133 feet, 2 inches (40.3 meters)
Height: 34 feet, (10.3 meters)
Empty Weight:80,602 lb, 36,554 kg
Gross Weight:170,000 lb, 77,097 kg
Wingspan: 108 feet (32.7 meters)
Maximum Take-off Weight: 170,000 pounds (76,500 kilograms)
Wingarea: 1,650.0 sq ft, 153.2 sq m
Maximum Payload: 20,000 pounds (9,000 kilograms)
Maximum Speed: 619 mph (Mach 0.82)
Range: 2,000 miles (1,739 nautical miles)
Endurance: 5.5 hours
Crew: Pilot, co-pilot, flight engineer, flight mechanic, and three or four in-flight passenger specialists
Unit Cost: No longer available.
Designation Period: 1962-Present
Date Deployed: 1963.
Inventory: Active force, 0; ANG, 3; Reserve, 0.