Air Refueling Operations

Images depicting military aircraft refueling in flight, showcasing high-tech fighter jets and transport planes against blue skies, emphasizing aerial operations and military readiness.

London, united kingdom may 1974, vintage biplanes and transport aircraft executing daring aerial maneuvers during dynamic 1970s airshow performance

A 199th Fighter Squadron F-22A Raptor departs after being refueled by a 909th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker over the East China Sea June 8, 2022. The 199th FS conducted agile combat employment operation in the Pacific to strengthen the readiness and interoperability needed to defend Japan and ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific.

010403-N-0295M-001. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH Country: Unknown Scene Major Command Shown: USS Constellation (CV 64)

DN-ST-88-00168. Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

A C-17 Globemaster III is guided into position behind the boom of a KC-135 Stratotanker during an in-air refueling training mission March 20, 2014, near Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. The boom was guided by Airman 1st Class Rebekah McCormack, a 96th Air Refueling Squadron in-flight refueling specialist, during refueling procedures training.

A 37th Tactical Fighter Wing F-117A Stealth fighter aircraft refuels from a 22nd Air Refueling Wing KC-10 Extender aircraft during Operation Desert Shield. The F-117A is en route to Saudi Arabia.. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Unknown

Two German Air Force Eurofighters escort a United States Air Force B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron at RAF Fairford, England April 5, 2022. B-52s from the 69th EBS flew to the Mediterranean region to demonstrate their Global Strategic Bomber Presence as part of pre-planned Bomber Task Force Europe series of missions.

Three F-15 Eagles and two Eurofighter Typhoons with the Royal Saudi Air Force escort a U.S. Air Force 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron B-52H Stratofortress over Saudi Arabia in support of a Bomber Task Force mission, Sep. 4, 2022. The B-52s were escorted by regional partner nations, enhancing regional stability and security through a show of combined strength and capability.

An OA-10A Thunderbolt II aircraft from the 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron approaches the refueling boom of a 310th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft during a Pacific Tanker Task Force refueling mission. Country: South Korea

A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II flies over Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Sept. 28, 2022. The A-10 is assigned to the A-10 Demonstration Team, which is a single-ship demonstration team that travels across the United States, as well as internationally, to highlight the combat capabilities of the A-10 and the U.S. Air Force.

A C-17 Globemaster assigned to the 305th Air Mobility Wing, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, refuels with a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 465th Air Refueling Squadron, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, over the Atlantic Ocean, June 9, 2022.

The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, known as the Thunderbirds, soared above the Thunder Over Dover air show at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, May 20, 2022. The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, flew their demonstration earlier in the day, marking the first time this season that both teams performed a joint show.

A Fighter Squadron 32 (VF-32) F-14A Tomcat aircraft refuels from a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft as the planes are in flight over the Red Sea during Operation Desert Storm. The Tomcat is armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles on the outer pylons and AIM-7 Sparrow missiles on the fuselage pylons. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Unknown

U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress, assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing is refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 350th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility June 8, 2022. The B-52 conducted a presence patrol mission to demonstrate the U.S.-led coalition commitment to promoting reginal stability.

DF-ST-86-05140. Subject Operation/Series: COPE THUNDER '84-7 Country: Philippines (PHL)

Bottom view of a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft preparing to refuel a C-141 Starlifter aircraft during exercise Ocean Venture '81. Picture is taken from the interior of the Starlifter aircraft. Subject Operation/Series: OCEAN VENTURE '81 Base: Nas, Roosevelt Roads State: Puerto Rico (PR) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An A-10 Thunderbolt II, assigned to the 74th Fighter Squadron, Moody Air Force Base, GA, receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker, 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, over the skies of Afghanistan while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom, May 8, 2011.

A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II flies over Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Sept. 28, 2022. The A-10 is assigned to the A-10 Demonstration Team, which is a single-ship demonstration team that travels across the United States, as well as internationally, to highlight the combat capabilities of the A-10 and the U.S. Air Force.

A view from the cockpit of a Fighter Squadron 41 (VF-41) F-14A Tomcat aircraft as it conducts an in-flight refueling with a KC-135E Stratotanker aircraft from the Arizona Air National Guard's 161st Aerial Refueling Group during Operation Desert Storm. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Saudi Arabia (SAU)

An F-16 pilot with the South Dakota Air National Guards 114th Fighter Wing looks up while flying under a KC-135 in order to receive fuel over Southeast South Dakota on June 27, 2023.

The late afternoon sun is reflected on the underside of a Fighter Squadron 33 (VF-33) F-14A Tomcat aircraft during a flight off of the aircraft carrier USS AMERICA (CV 66).. Country: Caribbean Sea

DN-SC-91-06615. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Red Sea

A KC-135 Aerial Refueling Squadron deployed to Nairobi, Kenya provides fuel for an AC-130 gunship. The gunship is patrolling the skies over Mogadishu during the United States efforts to evacuate remaining United Nations Forces from Somalia. Subject Operation/Series: PHOENIX ONYX Base: Modadishu Country: Somalia (SOM)

A detailed view of the weapons load on an F-16A Falcon from the Royal Netherlands Air Force as it takes on fuel from a 100th Air Expeditionary Wing KC-135R Stratotanker (not shown) from RAF Mildenhall United Kingdom on 31 Mar 99. While patroling the skies over Kosovo during Operation Allied Force, it is armed with AIM-9 missles for self protection and cluster bombs on the inboard stations to attack troop concentrations and nonhardened targets. Subject Operation/Series: ALLIED FORCE Base: Raf Mildenhall Country: Great Britain / England (GBR)

A 37th Tactical Fighter Wing F-117A Stealth fighter aircraft prepares to refuel from a 22nd Air Refueling Wing KC-10 Extender aircraft during Operation Desert Shield. The F-117A is en route to Saudi Arabia.. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Unknown

DF-ST-89-05878. Base: George Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

F-15 Eagle US Air Force

Su-30SM jet fighter of the Russian Air Force during Exercise Aviadarts 2018.

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer assigned to the 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, approaches a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 50th Air Refueling Squadron, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, during a Bomber Task Force mission over the Pacific Ocean, Feb. 17, 2023. The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command routinely and visibly demonstrates commitment to Allies and partners through the employment of military forces, demonstrating strategic predictability while becoming more operationally unpredictable to adversaries. The 50th ARS and the 909th ARS refueled four B-1B Lancers during this Bomber Task Force mission, including those that participated in the Aero India 2023 aerospace exhibition.

F3228-SPT-96-2004-040. Subject Operation/Series: GREEN CLOVER '96 Base: Howard Air Force Base Country: Panama (PAN)

An air-to-air view of a US Air Force KC-10A Extender Aircraft from McGuire AFB, New Jersey refueling a B-2 Spirit Bomber aircraft during a training exercise. Base: Mcguire Air Force Base State: New Jersey (NJ) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A view of the tail of a C-5 cargo aircraft from the 21st Airlift Squadron, Travis AFB CA. C-5 aircraft from Travis AFB are tasked to move cargo and personnel. Subject Operation/Series: GREEN CLOVER '96 Base: Howard Air Force Base Country: Panama (PAN)

Maj. Joshua Cabo Gunderson, F-22 Demo Team commander and pilot, preforms a peddle-turn during the Bethpage Air Show May 23, 2022, at Jones Beach State Park, New York. The peddle-turn highlights the maneuverability of the F-22 Raptor as it rotates in a 360-degree flat turn while falling.

Crew chief Jason Boschert of the 53rd Fighter Squadron marshals an F-15C Eagle aircraft onto the flight line for a mission during Operation Deny Flight, the enforcement of the United Nations-sanctioned no-fly zone over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Subject Operation/Series: DENY FLIGHT Base: Aviano Air Base State: Pordenone Country: Italy (ITA)

Silhouetted against the setting sun a security policeman stands guard over an F-15 Eagle fighter on flight line. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Country: Unknown

DF-ST-89-05286. Subject Operation/Series: DISTANT MARINER Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

A-10C Thunderbolt II with the 188th Fighter Wing, Arkansas Air National Guard conduct close-air support training Nov. 21, 2013, near Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.

A view from the cockpit of a 495th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-111F aircraft as it approaches the refueling boom of a KC-135E Stratotanker aircraft of the 128th Air Refueling Group, Wisconsin Air National Guard, during Open Gate '89. Open Gate is a Joint Chiefs of STAFF/NATO exercise designed to simulate air and sea power tactics required to keep the Straits of Gibraltar open during a crisis. Subject Operation/Series: OPEN GATE '89 Country: Unknown

030308-F-5171M-001. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM State: Minnesota (MN) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: AMC

Artwork: "The Stars Drop into Cheong-Ju". Artist: Keith Ferris. U.S. Air Force Art Collection. Country: Unknown

A UFO stalking a squadron of B-17 bombers planes.

Top view of a C-141B Starlifter aircraft being refueled, as seen from the boom operator's position aboard a KC-10 Extender aircraft. Country: Antarctica (ATA)

An air-to-air right side view of a B-1 bomber aircraft, left, being refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft off the Virginia coast. Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

An E-3 Sentry aircraft from the 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, prepares to be refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft from the 909th Refueling Squadron, Kadena Air Base, while flying over the Pacific Ocean. Country: Unknown

A view of an F-4 Phantom II aircraft from the refueling station of a KC-10 Extender aircraft refueling during a tactical large force employment exercise. The F-4 is from the 36th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Osan Air Base, Korea and the KC-10 is from the 9th Air Refueling Squadron, Beale Air Force Base, California. Country: Unknown

An MV-22 Osprey, assigned to the Aviation Combat Element, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, conducts flight operations over Latvia during exercise BALTOPS 22, June 8, 2022. BALTOPS 22 is the premier maritime-focused exercise in the Baltic Region. The exercise, led by U.S. Naval forces Europe-Africa, and executed by Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO, provides a unique training opportunity to strengthen combined response capabilities critical to preserving freedom of navigation and security in the Baltic Sea.

A US Navy CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter slings a load of external stores from the deck of USS KITTY HAWK (CV-63) during a vertical replenishment with the USNS PECOS (TAO-197). The KITTY HAWK and PECOS are taking part in the multi-service exercise as they operate off the coast. Subject Operation/Series: TANDEM THRUST '95 Country: United States Of America (USA)

Air to air left side view of an F-14B Tomcat aircraft of Fighter Squadron 143 (VF-143), the Pukin' Dogs, in flight over Lake Pyramid. The aircraft is piloted by LT. Chris Blaschum, USN and the radar intercept officer (RIO) is LT. Jack Lies, USN. State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A view from the cockpit of a Fighter Squadron 32 (VF-32) F-14A Tomcat aircraft as it flies beneath a U.S. Air Force KC-135E Stratotanker aircraft prior to an in-flight refueling during Operation Desert Storm. VF-32 is based aboard the aircraft carrier USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67), which is on station in the Red Sea. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Red Sea

A KC-10 Extender, McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey, takes on 120,000 pounds of fuel from the KC-135R over the Mediterranean and Sardinia. The KC-10 is accompanying other aircraft to Kuwait on the longest fighter deployment since the Vietnam War. Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

VENTURA, Calif. (Nov. 20, 2012) An E-2C Hawkeye aircraft assigned to the Wallbangers of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 117 fly over the Pacific Ocean near Ventura, Calif. VAW-117 is a command and control and airborne early Warning Squadron dedicated to deliver time critical situational awareness to warfare commanders and coalition partners.

military fighter on a black background with place for text. On the wing of the plane is a red star of the Soviet army. Miniature of military fighter without pilot cabin on a black background with place for text

DD-ST-88-09405. Country: Unknown

020513-F-8115W-011. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Country: Unknown

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Chance Whisenand, a crew chief assigned to the 182nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Illinois Air National Guard, performs a post-flight wing walk on a C-130H Hercules at the 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria, Illinois, Aug. 14, 2022. The 182nd maintains and operates C-130H Hercules aircraft capable of airlifting and airdropping personnel and equipment.

A right rear view of four F-4E Phantom II aircraft flying in formation. The 347th Tactical Fighter Wing, middle, and Egyptian air force aircraft are flying over a desert during Exercise Proud Phantom. Subject Operation/Series: PROUD PHANTOM Base: Cairo West Country: Egypt (EGY)

140402-M-SQ436-010

Missile launcher of a military helicopter

United States Marine Corps aircraft maintenance specialist working on a proprotor blade of an MV-22 Osprey at Camp Bastion, Helmand Province, Afghanistan

MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, Hawaii (July 20, 2022) - U.S. Air Force maintenance personnel, assigned to the 49th Wing, run a final inspection on the MQ-9A Reaper before its morning flight at Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022. Unmanned and remotely operated vessels extend the capability of interconnected manned platform sensors to enhance the warfighting capacity of multinational joint task forces. Twenty-six nations, 38 ships, three submarines, more than 170 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 29 to Aug. 4 in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The worlds largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the worlds oceans. RIMPAC 2022 is the 28th exercise is in the series that began in 1971.

During support of Operation Joint Endeavor, a Fixed Wing Marine Fighter Squadron's F/A-18 refuels from a C-130 over the Adriatic Sea. Subject Operation/Series: JOINT ENDEAVOR Country: Adriatic Sea

The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, known as the "Thunderbirds", perform in front of thousands of spectators at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, April 2, 2022. This was the team's second show of the season.

NORAD aircraft fly alongside a B-52 Stratofortress bomber over the Gulf of Mexico in support of North American Aerospace Defense Command's Operation Noble Defender March 24, 2023. Continental U.S. NORAD Region coordinated the launch of the U.S. Air Force F-15 Eagles from the Louisiana Air National Guard's 159th Fighter Wing and an E-3 Airborne Warning and Controls System aircraft to conduct intercept operations with the bomber as it entered the Air Defense Identification Zone off the coast of New Orleans. NORAD units exercised maneuvers designed to defend the southern approach to the United States from simulated cruise missile threats in the particular OND.

011115-F-1718K-009. Subject Operation/Series: COPE NORTH 02-1 Base: Kadena Air Base State: Okinawa Country: Japan (JPN) Scene Major Command Shown: PACAF

An F-117A aircraft from the 37th Tactical Fighter Wing (37th TFW) moves in for a midair refueling during Operation Desert Shield. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Saudi Arabia (SAU)

A right front view of the nose section and canopy of an A-6E Intruder aircraft aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN-69). The A-6E is assigned to Medium Attack Squadron 65 (VA-65). Country: Unknown

A view of the front half of a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber of the 393rd Bomb Squadron, 509th Bomb Wing, as it taxis out for take-off during an exercise sortie. Global Guardian is designed to exercise the ability of USSTRATCOM and its component forces to effectively deter a military attack against the United States and employ forces as directed by the National Command Authority. Subject Operation/Series: GLOBAL GUARDIAN Base: Whiteman Air Force Base State: Missouri (MO) Country: United States Of America (USA)

011008-F-9319F-003. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Ramstein Air Base State: Rheinland-Pfalz Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU) Scene Major Command Shown: AMC/USAFE

A GBU-15 (GW) bomb is mounted on the wing pylon of a B-52 Stratofortress aircraft. Various configurations of the GBU-15 were fitted to a variety of aircraft during tests. Base: Eglin Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

020522-F-6911G-006. Country: Unknown

A Northrop P-61 Black Widow Night Fighter Of The Maap Takes Off To Attack Enemy Targets. The P-61 Is Now Being Used By The 414Th Night Fighter Sq., In The Mediteranean Theatre. A Veteran Night Fighter Sq., The 414Th Has Used The Beaufighters Since 1943,

Under the direction of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), F-15s assigned to the Massachusetts Air National Guard, twoCF-18 assigned to the Royal Canadian Air Force, and a KC-135 assigned to the Main Air National Guardfly in formation behind a KC-135 assigned to the Pennsylvania Air National Guard during air-defense Operation NOBLE DEFENDER, Oct. 27, 2022. Operation NOBLE DEFENDER is a long-planned NORAD exercise that validates the commands capability to defend Canada and the United States from every avenue of approach. The Continental U.S. NORAD Region (CONR) led this iteration of OND and coordinated and conducted combined operations, while concurrently launching aircraft from different locations across the northeast coast of the United States. F-15 and KC-135 aircraft from CONR and CF-18 aircraft from the Canadian NORAD Region participated in the operation. NORAD is a bi-national Canadian and U.S. command that employs a network of aerial, ground-based, and space-bas

Ballistic Rocket. Nuclear Missile With Warhead. War Backgound

BAKU - 26 June 2011 - Miliatary Parade in Baku, Azerbaijan on Army Day

Front view of the left wing of a Republic F-84 Thunderjet bearing the markings of the 8th Fighter Bomber Squadron (FBS), 49th Fighter Bomber Group (FBG), fitted with a bomb and four rockets, somewhere in Korea. In the background, a hangar is visible, as well as some equipment.

An A-10 Thunderbolt II is refueled over Southern Afghanistan. The most prominent feature of the A-10 Thunderbolt II is the 30-millimeter GAU-8/A Avenger Gatling-gun cannon. This weapon is capable of firing 3,900 rounds a minute and can defeat an array of ground targets to include tanks. Both the A-10 and GAU-8 entered service in 1977 and the gun represents 16 percent of the aircraft's weight.

A U.S. Navy Reserve EA-18G Growler assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron 209 , Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, aerial refuels from a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan, during RED FLAG-Alaska 22-1 over the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, Alaska, May 3, 2022. RF-A is a Pacific Air Forces-directed field training exercise allowing forces to practice interoperability by providing unique opportunities to integrate into joint and multilateral training.

A KC-135T Stratotanker from the 171st Aerial Refueling Squadron of the 127th Wing at Selfridge Air National Guard Base simulating air to air refueling of an A-10C's from the 107th Fighter Squadron on an aerial refueling sortie on June 27, 2023. In addition to routine aerial refueling training in all conditions, aircraft from the 127th Wing, including A-10C Thunderbolt II attack aircraft of the 107th Fighter Squadron, commemorated the 100-year anniversary of the first aerial refueling conducted on June 23, 1923.

Pacific Ocean, November 17, 2005 - A Standard Missile Three (SM-3) is launched from the vertical launch system (VLS) aboard the Pearl Harbor based Aegis cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG-70), during a joint Missile Defense Agency, U.S. Navy ballistic missile flight test.

An air-to-air view from a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft as its boom connects and refuels an A-10A Thunderbolt II aircraft. Base: Edwards Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

220425-N-EE352-1139 PACIFIC OCEAN (Apr. 25, 2022) An EA-18G Growler, assigned to the Vikings” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129, launches from the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), April 25. Vinson is currently underway conducting routine maritime operations in the Pacific Ocean.

Filling The Sky With Paratroopers In A Simulated Bombat Jump, These Douglas C-47S Of Maj. General Paul L. Williams' Ix Troop Carrier Command, Are Seen Over An Allied Base Somewhere In France.

Lasar steered steering head of a guided bomb unit, Paveway GBU-24

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