Aircraft Operations and Refueling

Close-up views of military aircraft during refueling missions, showcasing aircrew engagement and operational readiness in various settings.

July 25, 2006 - A Belgian F-16 Fighting Falcon flies into contact position below and behind a KC-135 Stratotanker from Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, over the North Sea.

DF-ST-86-12782. Subject Operation/Series: COPE MAX 85 Country: Unknown

DF-ST-85-13141. Subject Operation/Series: GRANADERO I Country: Honduras (HND)

July 25, 2006 - A Belgian F-16 Fighting Falcon flies into contact position below and behind a KC-135 Stratotanker from Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, over the North Sea.

A C-130J Super Hercules from the 36th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron flies over a drop zone during practice airdrop operations near Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Dec. 1, 2022, as part of Operation Christmas Drop 2022. The 36 EAS participated in Operation Christmas Drop as part of a joint effort to deliver critical humanitarian aid to over 20 thousand islanders on 56 islands throughout the western Pacific.

The reflection of an aircraft is visible in the helmet of a pilot from Light Attack Squadron 72 (VA-72) during in-flight refueling operations. VA-72 is assigned aboard the aircraft carrier USS AMERICA (CV 66). Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Austin McKinney, a crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 162 (VMM-162), 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (26th MEU), prepares an MV-22 Osprey aircraft for takeoff in support of Exercise Trident on Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, Nov. 16, 2022. The 26th MEUs Aviation Command Element integrated with special operations forces (SOF) to strengthen MEU-SOF relationships prior to the MEUs upcoming deployment.

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

A pilot motions to his crew chief from his cockpit as he prepares for take off in a newly upgraded F-16 Falcon fighter aircraft at the 174th Fighter Wing (FW) flight line, at Syracuse, New York. Base: Syracuse State: New York (NY) Country: United States Of America (USA)

011012-F-0308N-110. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH Country: Unknown Scene Major Command Shown: CENTCOM

070121-N-5345W-015. Base: USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75)

DN-ST-88-05263. Base: USS Dwight D Eisenhower (CVN 69)

980312-F-7910D-009. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH 1998 Base: Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base State: Al Ahmadi Country: Kuwait (KWT) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

DF-ST-87-00627. Subject Operation/Series: LONE STAR 85 Base: Bergstrom Air Force Base State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

The pilot of a Fighter Squadron 84 (VF-84) F-14A Tomcat aircraft makes preparations for launch on the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN-71). The ROOSEVELT is on station in the northeastern Mediterranean to support Operation Provide Comfort, a multinational effort to aid Kurdish refugees in southern Turkey and northern Iraq. Subject Operation/Series: PROVIDE COMFORT Base: USS Theodore Roosevelt(CVN 71) Country: Mediterranean Sea(MED)

An F-16 Fighting Falcon, assigned to the 179th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, refuels with a KC-135 Stratotanker, assigned to the 50th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, while conducting aerial operations with the Royal Bahrain air force over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, May 25, 2022. The U.S. and Bahrain work jointly to enhance interoperability in the interest of regional security.

A KC-135 Stratotanker from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron refuels an MC-130P Combat Shadow from the 17th Special Operations Squadron during an air-to-air refueling mission over the East China Sea July 19, 2013. The 909th ARS and the 17th SOS conducts air-to-air refueling mission periodically in order to ensure training proficiency for both air crews.

A B-1B Lancer refuels mid-flight from a KC-135 Stratotanker over the Powder River Training Complex, S.D., April 19, 2022. Air crews from Ellsworth Air Force Base and MacDill Air Force Base conducted airborne re-fueling exercises to mutually hone cooperative aviation skills.

DF-ST-85-12447. Base: Fairchild Air Force Base State: Washington (WA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DN-ST-87-10407. Base: USS Dwight D Eisenhower (CVN 69) Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

A close air to air overhead view of the pilot of a US Air Force F-4 from the 561st Fighter Wing, Nellis AFB, NV, during the operation.(Exact date unknown). Subject Operation/Series: VIGILANT WARRIOR Base: Moron Country: Spain (ESP)

A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor pilot assigned to the 90th Fighter Squadron, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 465 Air Refueling Squadron, Tinker AFB, Okla., near Guam, Feb. 16, 2010.

030409-F-1631A-013. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Country: Bulgaria (BGR)

April 30, 2010 - A pilot onboard a U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle takes a photo while getting refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker over the skies of Afghanistan.

DF-ST-86-12891. Country: West Germany (FRG)

A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft assigned to the 100th Air Refueling Wing, Royal Air Force Mildenhall, refuels a U.S. Air Force MC-130J Commando II aircraft assigned to the 352nd Special Operations Wing at RAF Mildenhall during a refueling mission over the North Sea, July 21, 2022. The Commando II flies a variety of low-level air refueling missions for special operations helicopters and aircraft, while also supporting infiltration, exfiltration, and resupply of special operations forces.

The nose section of US Air Force C-17 Globemaster III, from Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina, is seen from the KC-10 Extender, Boom Operator's window, during a refueling mission for INSPECTOR GENERAL EXERCISE 3B. Subject Operation/Series: INSPECTOR GENERAL EXERCISE 3B Country: United States Of America (USA)

Close-up of a fighter plane, F/A-18C Hornet, USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75), US Navy

F/A-18C Hornet USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) US Navy

A-10C Thunderbolt II with the Demonstration Team from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base flies next to a KC-135R Stratotanker with the 155th Air Refueling Wing, Aug. 11, 2022, during an air refueling. A-10 pilots received fuel from the 173rd Air Refueling Squadron in order to arrive and prepare for their air show in Akron, Ohio.

020626-F-5789F-005. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT RESCUE X Base: Lambert Iap, Saint Louis State: Missouri (MO) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Royal Australian Air Force Flying Officer Nick Thompson, 1 Squadron pilot, deplanes an F/A-18F Super Hornet during RED FLAG -Alaska 22-3 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, July 29, 2022. The RF-A exercise focuses on improving the combat readiness of U.S. and international forces and providing training for units preparing for air and space expeditionary force tasking.

A crew chief cleans the canopy of an F-4E Phantom II aircraft during the exercise Crested Cap. Subject Operation/Series: CRESTED CAP Base: Ramstein Air Base State: Rheinland-Pfalz Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)

A close-up of the KC-135R Stratotanker from the 128th Air Refueling Wing (ARW) (Wisconsin Air National Guard) boom as it engages and refuels a B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber on a training mission. Country: United States Of America (USA)

A pilot from Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 140 (VAQ-140) climbs into the cockpit of his EA-6B Prowler aircraft for a preflight check on the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN-69). Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

U.S. Air Force Capt. Andrew Marshall, an F-15C pilot with the 550th Fighter Squadron, settles into the cockpit of an F-15C aircraft in preparation for a mission where he will progress toward becoming a rated instructor pilot at Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls, Oregon, Jan. 18, 2024. He and one other pilot are the last two selected in the U.S. Air Force to receive this upgrade training signaling the end of an era as future pilots at the wing will convert to the F-35 airframe.

A view of two F-14A Tomcat aircraft from Fighter Squadron 11 (VF-11) in flight, as seen from the right-hand seat aboard an Attack Squadron 176 (VA-176) KA-6D Intruder aircraft. Both squadrons are based aboard the aircraft carrier USS FORRESTAL (CV 59). Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 50th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron refuels a U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon during a refueling mission over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Jan. 1, 2022. The KC-135 delivers U.S. Air Forces Central a global reach aerial refueling capability to support joint and partner nation aircraft throughout the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

A pilot sitting on top of a C-130 airplane

An F-14A Tomcat aircraft undergoes a preflight check on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS SARATOGA (CV-60) during Operation Desert Shield.. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Base: USS Saratoga(CV 60)

DN-ST-86-10449. Base: USS Coral Sea (CV 43) Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

DF-ST-88-08604. Country: England / Great Britain (ENG)

LT. Dave Smith and his crew perform a preflight check on their EA-6B Prowler aircraft on the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN-69) during Fleet Ex '90. Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

Service members participate in an unprecedented joint force exercise on Sept. 8, 2022 at Roland R Wright Air National Guard Base, Utah. The exercise provided an opportunity for cross-platform familiarization training for fuels and crew chiefs who were able to get first-hand experience with multiple platforms they usually would not obtain at their home station, adding to the war fighting efforts.

Flight deck crewmen prepare an A-6 Intruder aircraft for flight aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN-69). Country: Indian Ocean (IOC)

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy, receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 100th Air Refueling Wing, Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, over the Adriatic Sea, Jan. 5, 2024. The KC-135s are a force multiplier that extend the reach of fighter, bomber, reconnaissance and cargo aircraft.

DN-ST-86-06052. Base: USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67)

DN-ST-87-03592. Base: USS Constellation (CV 64)

A U.S. Air Force F-15 Eagle assigned to the 44th Fighter Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan, is refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 22nd Air Refueling Wing, McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, over the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex during RED FLAG-Alaska, Oct. 14, 2022. RF-A provides integrated joint and multilateral training opportunities in the JPARC, an expansive co-located air and land range with significant potential for co-located air and sea ranges.

DN-ST-88-04793. Base: USS America (CV 66)

Photo reportage of a demonstration flight with a General Dynamics F-16A, flown by Captain G.booij, for a Vara television team.

An air-to-air view of an MC-130E Hercules aircraft of the 8th Special Operations Squadron being refueled in flight. The aircraft is equipped with the Fulton recovery system. State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A specialist performs maintenance inside the intake of an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft. The aircraft is from the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing. Base: Kunsan Air Base Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

The pilot of a 1st Tactical Fighter Squadron F-15C Eagle aircraft is silhouetted against the sun as he climbs into the cockpit of his aircraft during Operation Desert Shield.

230324-N-NS135-1165ATLANTIC OCEAN (March 24, 2023) A pilot, assigned to HSC-9, in an MH-60S Sea Hawk on the flight deck of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61), March 24, 2023. Ramage, as part of the Ford Carrier Strike Group, is underway in the Atlantic Ocean executing its Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), an intense, multi-week exercise designed to fully integrate a carrier strike group as a cohesive, multi-mission fighting force and to test their ability to carry out sustained combat operations from the sea. As the first-in-class ship of Ford-class aircraft carriers, CVN 78 represents a generation leap in the U.S. Navys capacity to project power a on a global scale.

A U.S. Air Force F-35A fighter pilot flies over the Atlantic Ocean for the aircrafts first transatlantic flight June 30, 2016. The F-35A is a part of the Air Combat Command Air Force Heritage Flight Team, which flew to Fairford, England, for the Royal International Air Tattoo.

A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor pilot assigned to the 94th Fighter Squadron, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, prepares for takeoff during Checkered Flag 23-1 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Nov. 4, 2022. Checkered Flag is a large-force aerial exercise held at Tyndall which fosters readiness and interoperability through the incorporation of 4th-and 5th-generation aircraft during air-to-air combat training. The 23-1 iteration of the exercise was held Oct. 31- Nov. 10, 2022.

041116-F-2295B-073. Base: Tyndall Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A pilot sits in the cockpit of an A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft as he prepares for takeoff during the field training exercise Quick Thrust. Subject Operation/Series: QUICK THRUST Base: Wright-Patterson Air Force Base State: Ohio (OH) Country: United States Of America (USA)

010328-M-3539V-010. Subject Operation/Series: KERNEL BLITZ 2001 Base: Uss Peleliu (LHA 5) Scene Major Command Shown: 1ST Marine Expeditionary Force

An F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 138th Fighter Wing from Tulsa Air National Guard Base, Oklahoma, is refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker from McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, Jan. 26, 2023. Aerial refueling is a crucial component of the U.S. Air Forces air superiority mission.

Master Sgt. Rodney Hall walks the wing of MAFFS 8, during a pre-flight inspection prior to take off. The 145th Airlift Wing, North Carolina Air National Guard is sending two C-130 Hercules cargo planes to southern California, where they will fight fires at the direction of the U.S. Forest Service beginning Tuesday, August 14. One aircraft will carry the MAFFS module and the other will transport equipment and maintenance specialists.

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

A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor assigned to the 3rd Wing receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 117th Aerial Refueling Squadron, Forbes Field, Kansas during RED FLAG-Alaska 22-3 over the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, Alaska, Aug. 2, 2022. The JPARC is the largest airspace over land that the Department of Defense has, its size is optimal to push the capabilities of fifth-generation aircraft pilots forward.

120522-N-GZ832-643 PACIFIC OCEAN (May 22, 2012) An F/A 18F Super Hornet assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22 prepares for launch as pilots and aircraft assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 depart the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and return to their home bases after nearly six months embarked. Carl Vinson and CVW 17 recently completed a deployment to the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet areas of operations.

010928-F-0017M-019. Subject Operation/Series: NOBLE EAGLE Base: Byrd Field State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

1st Lt. Samuel Lindblom, a student pilot assigned to the 149th Fighter Wing, Air National Guard, conducts preflight checks prior to launch during Coronet Cactus, Mar. 31, 2023, at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. The annual training event deploys members of the 149th Fighter Wing, headquartered at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, to another environment in order to familiarize them with accomplishing mission objectives in an unfamiliar location.

Helmet and oxygen mask of a military pilot. Helmet and oxygen mask of a military pilot.

The nose section of US Air Force C-17 Globemaster III, from Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina, is seen from the KC-10 Extender, Boom Operator's window, during a refueling mission for INSPECTOR GENERAL EXERCISE 3B. Subject Operation/Series: INSPECTOR GENERAL EXERCISE 3B Country: United States Of America (USA)

980309-F-4116M-005. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH 1998 Base: Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base State: Al Ahmadi Country: Kuwait (KWT) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

220802-N-GF955-1215ATLANTIC OCEAN (Aug. 2, 2022) Boatswains Mate Seaman Neil Kennedy, from Key West, Fla., left, and Seaman Caeden Hockers, from Green Bay, Wis., attach a vertical replenishment (VERTREP) hook to a MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter, assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 79, Detachment 2, during VERTREP training on the flight deck of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117), Aug. 2, 2022. Paul Ignatius, forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet, to defend U.S., allied and partner interests.

010811-F-7910D-008. Base: Buckley Air Force Base State: Colorado (CO) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: Air Combat Command

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Lauren Hotaling, 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron in-flight refueling specialist, refuels an E-3 Sentry over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, April 7, 2022. The refueling sortie marked the last KC-10 Extender flight flown by a crew deployed from McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey. McGuire AFB will no longer be sending KC-10s down-range as the base is transitioning to fly the KC-46 Pegasus.

An F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 79th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, receives air refueling support from a KC-10 Extender assigned to the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Aug. 31, 2022. The mission of the 9th Air Force (Air Forces Central), is to execute an integrated campaign alongside regional and coalition nations to deter and, if necessary, defeat regional aggressors and global competitors.

Nomads with the 58th Fighter Squadron and 60th Fighter Squadron, 33rd Fighter Wing, prepare to take off for Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, from Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, Sept. 27, 2022. Leadership with the 33rd FW directed the repositioning of aircraft to Barksdale AFB, to prepare for possible damaging winds caused by Hurricane Ian.

A ground crew works on an engine of an E-3A Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft during Operation Desert Shield. Subject Operation/Series: OPERATION DESERT SHIELD Country: Saudi Arabia (SAU)

Straight on medium aerial close-up of the refueling a US Navy F/A-18 from the Blue Angels' Aerial Demonstration team. Just the refueling hose and nozzlechute is seen from the USAF KC-10 Extender that is refueling the F/A-18. The Blue Angels are flying over McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey, on June 22nd, 2000. The mission of the Blue Angels is to enhance Navy recruiting, and credibly represent Navy and Marine Corps aviation to the United States and its Armed Forces to America and other countries as international ambassadors of good will. An estimated 15 million spectators view the squadron during air shows each year. Additionally, the Blue Angels visit over 50,000 people a show season .... Complete Scene Caption: Straight on medium aerial close-up of the refueling a US Navy F/A-18 from the Blue Angels' Aerial Demonstration team. Just the refueling hose and nozzlechute is seen from the USAF KC-10 Extender that is refueling the F/A-18. The Blue Angels are flying over McGuire Air Force

020813-F-4177H-012. Subject Operation/Series: NORTHERN WATCH Country: Unknown

DA-ST-85-01479. Subject Operation/Series: PHOTO FINISH '81 Base: Gulfport Air National Guard Base State: Mississippi (MS) Country: United States Of America (USA)

The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron Thunderbirds perform during the Arctic Thunder Open House at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, July 31, 2022. The Thunderbirds serve as Americas premier air demonstration squadron, and are entrusted with the vital mission to recruit, retain and inspire past, present and future Airmen.

Airman 1st Class Courage Krueger, 341st Contracting Squadron contracting apprentice, is lifted into a UH-N1 Huey during a search and rescue exercise May 24, 2022, over the Highwood Mountains near Great Falls, Mont. Krueger was acting as an injured hiker who went missing during a hike. The 40th HS is often called upon to perform SAR missions on missing or injured people.

030321-F-9448S-010. Subject Operation/Series: OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM Country: Unknown

Flight deck crewmen attach an S-3A Viking aircraft to a catapult during flight operations aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS CARL VINSON (CVN-70). Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

E-2C HawkeyeUS Navy

The co-pilot of a 96th Bombardment Wing (96th BMW) B-1B aircraft looks out a side window as the aircraft taxis off of the runway after arriving for exercise GIANT WARRIOR '90. The 96th BMW is based at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. Subject Operation/Series: GIANT WARRIOR '90 Base: Hickam Air Force Base State: Hawaii (HI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A KC-10 Extender assigned to the 305th Air Mobility Wing is prepped for divestment at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. on Sept. 15, 2022. The retirement of the KC-10 was heralded by the arrival of the KC-46 Pegasus, which now serves the 305th AMW as the backbone of its strategic global refueling mission.

A Strike Fighter Squadron 125 (VFA-125) F/A-18D Hornet aircraft moves into the steam rising from the catapult tracks as it is prepared for launch on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS RANGER (CV-61). Base: USS Ranger(CV 61) Country: Pacific Ocean(POC)

Maj. Brett Gedman, 301st Fighter Squadron, prepares his F-22A Raptor for an afternoon mission March 24 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The 325th Fighter Wings Raptor aircraft has been at Eglin since 2018 after Hurricane Michael destroyed the Tyndall AFB facilities. The Raptors will soon depart Eglin for their new home, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia.

A ground crewman signals pilot LT Eddie Craig as he prepares his T. Mark 17 Canberra B. aircraft of the 360th Squadron for an electronic warfare training mission during Display Determination '89, a combined NATO exercise focusing on the defense of southern Europe. Subject Operation/Series: DISPLAY DETERMINATION '89 Base: Aviano Air Base State: Pordenone Country: Italy (ITA)

011022-F-0308N-084. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Al Udeid Air Base, Doha Country: Qatar (QAT) Scene Major Command Shown: CENTCOM

At the Twenthe airbase, the kite from a Northrop NF-5A is preparing for its flight.

041108-F-0881Z-017. Base: Tyndall Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

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