Aircraft Refueling Operations

Dramatic aerial shots of military aircraft receiving fuel mid-air from tankers. Focus on fighter jets in support of international military operations.

An F-16 from the 169th Fighter Wing in South Carolina approaches the boom of a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 134th Air Refueling Wing. The 134th Air Refueling Wing celebrated the centennial anniversary of in-flight refueling on June 27, 2023, by performing two flyovers and a total of seven in-flight refuelings in the skies over Tennessee.

971016-F-0024F-001. Base: RAF Mildenhall Country: Great Britain / England (GBR)

020312-F-4300H-009. Subject Operation/Series: STRONG RESOLVE 2002 Country: Unknown

An F-16 Fighting Falcon from Wing 1, Royal Thai Air Force, Korat Air Force Base, Thailand, receives fuel from an Alaska Air National Guard KC-135R stratotanker from the 168th Air Refueling Wing, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, during Exercise COBRA GOLD '96. Subject Operation/Series: COBRA GOLD 96 Country: Unknown

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Richard Turner, 40th Flight Test Squadron commander flies 40 FLTS Senior Enlisted Leader, MSgt Tristan McIntire during a test sortie in the F-15EX Eagle II over the Gulf of Mexico on Jun. 14, 2022. Assigned to the 96th Test Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., the F-15EX Eagle II is the Air Forces newest 4th generation fighter being tested at the 40 FLTS.

An F-15 Eagle aircraft refuels from a KC-135 Stratotanker (not shown) over Saudi Arabia in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH. The F-15 is equipped with AIM 7 Sparrow missiles and AIM 120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles (AMRAAM) and is part of the coalition forces of the 363rd Air Expeditionary Wing who enforce the no-fly and no-drive zone in Southern Iraq to protect and defend against Iraqi aggression. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH Country: Unknown

A Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 321 (VMFA-321) F/A-18A Hornet aircraft refuels in flight from a KC-10A Extender aircraft from the 344th Air Refueling Squadron. The Hornet is armed with a CATM-88 HARM captive air training missile. Aircraft of the reserve squadron are en route back to their home base after completing two weeks of active duty training at the Naval Air Warfare Center target complex at Naval Air Station, Fallon, Nevada. Base: Naval Air Station, Fallon State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An F-16 from the 169th Fighter Wing in South Carolina approaches the boom of a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 134th Air Refueling Wing. The 134th Air Refueling Wing celebrated the centennial anniversary of in-flight refueling on June 27, 2023, by performing two flyovers and a total of seven in-flight refuelings in the skies over Tennessee.

An air-to-air right side view of an F-15 Eagle aircraft firing an AIM-7 Sparrow air-to-air missile during the William Tell '82 competition. Subject Operation/Series: WILLIAM TELL "82" Base: Tyndall Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

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.

020112-F-1851B-250. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle assigned to the 335th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron conducts aerial refueling during an agile combat employment exercise with U.S. Central Command regional partners within the U.S. Air Forces Central area of responsibility July 12, 2022. Ninth Air Force (AFCENT) led the combined rapid deployment exercise consisting of forward operating location establishment, simulated combat sortie generation, aerial refueling, ground hot-pit refueling as well as command and control procedures. This training demonstrates the flexibility of U.S. airpower assets and maintains interoperability with foreign partners for enhanced security of the region.

image USAF Lockheed F-16C Fighting Falcon Viper over a mountain/desert background

A 35th Tactical Fighter Wing F-4E Phantom II aircraft approaches the refueling boom of a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft while on a training flight during Operation Desert Shield. The aircraft is carrying external fuel tanks on its outboard wing pylons and an AN/ALQ-131 Electronic Countermeasures (ECM) pod on its right inboard wing pylon. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Saudi Arabia (SAU)

A German air force Tornado aircraft approaches a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft assigned to the 100th Air Refueling Wing, Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, during exercise Cobra Warrior 22 over the North Sea, Sept. 7, 2022. Cobra Warrior develops the tactical interoperability skills of participating U.S. Airmen, allies and partners within a composite air operation environment.

DN-ST-89-09026. State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

120728-F-IG195-290PACIFIC OCEAN (July 28, 2012) An Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 465th Air Refueling Squadron refuels a Marine Corps F-18 Hornet over Hawaii during the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2012 exercise. Twenty-two nations, more than 40 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in the biennial RIMPAC exercise from June 29 to Aug. 3, in and around the Hawaiian Islands. The worlds largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the worlds oceans. RIMPAC 2012 is the 23rd exercise in the series that began in 1971.

A German F-4A Phantom aircraft refuels from a KC-135 reserve refueling tanker from the 452nd Air Mobility Wing, March Air Force Base, California, during a LOCAL SALTY NATION exercise at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. About 20 52nd Fighter Wing spouses and family members flew on two refueling flights offered by the Reserve.(U.S. Air Force photo by SrA Esperanza Berrios). Subject Operation/Series: LOCAL SALTY NATION Country: Unknown

A Luftwaffe Tornado IDS over northern Germany during fueling training with a KC-135R of the 100th ARW, United States Air Force Europe.

A B-1B Lancer approaches a KC-135 Stratotanker after being refueled during the Green Flag-West 13-2 exercise Nov. 4, 2012 over Nevada. A typical Green Flag exercise involves two multi-role fighter and/or bomber squadrons, unmanned aircraft, electronic warfare aircraft and aerial refueling aircraft. The B1B Lancer is from the 28th Bomb Wing at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., and the KC-135 Stratotanker is from the 350th Air Refueling Squadron at McConnell AFB, Kan.

USAF Lockheed F-16C Fighting Falcon (Viper) over a mountain/desert background

U.S. Air ForceF-15

040611-F-3488S-010. Complete Scene Caption: Close-up of a US Air Force (USAF) F-16C Fighting Falcon fighter Pilot, 18th Fighter Squadron (FS), 354th Fighter Wing (FW), Eielson Air Force Base (AFB), Alaska (AK), as he connects with a KC-135E Stratotanker, reflected on the canopy screen, during Exercise NORTHERN EDGE 04. NORTHERN EDGE is Alaska's annual joint training exercise (JTX) designed to enhance interoperability among the services by sharpening and honing joint service techniques and procedures. It helps provide a ready force capable of protecting America's interests at home and abroad. More than 9,000 Airmen, Sailors, Soldiers, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen from active duty, Reserve, and National Guard units are participating in this year's exercise. Base: Eielson Air Force Base State: Alaska (AK) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An A-7E Corsair II aircraft prepares to refuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft as another Corsair stands by for refueling during Operation Desert Storm. Both Corsairs are armed with HARM high speed anti-radiation missiles and the Corsair beneath the refueling boom is also armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles.. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Unknown

A B-1B Lancer, assigned to the 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, flies over the Pacific Ocean during a Bomber Task Force mission, June 20, 2022. Bomber Task Force missions provide opportunities to train alongside our allies and partners to build interoperability and bolster our collective ability to support a free and open Indo-Pacific.

A U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft assigned to the 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy, receives fuel over the North Sea from a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft assigned to the 100th Air Refueling Wing during exercise Cobra Warrior 22, Sept. 21, 2022. The United States commitment to defending NATO territory is ironclad and the U.S. will continue to bolster its posture to better defend partners and allies.

USAF Lockheed F-16C Fighting Falcon (Viper) over a mountain/desert background

Colombian Air Force KFIRs and the U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons from the South Carolina Air National Guard, 157th Fighter Squadron fly in formation during Relampago VII, an exercise in Barranquilla, Colombia, Aug. 30, 2022. The purpose of this exercise is to provide the Colombian Air Force with requested realistic interoperability training as allied countries, under NATO standards. South Carolina is Colombias State Partner in the State Partnership Program.

An F-15E Eagle aircraft undergoes in-flight refueling from a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft during flight evaluations over Edwards Air Force Base. Base: Edwards Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Under the direction of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD),an F-15 assigned to the Massachusetts Air National Guard flies 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 command’s 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-based sensors, air-to-air refueling tankers, and fighter aircraft controlled by a sophisticated command and contr

An F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft piloted by Col. Jeannie Leavitt receives fuel from a KC-135R Stratotanker during her final flight, May 29, 2014, over North Carolina. During her career as the first female fighter pilot, Leavitt recorded more than 2,600 flying hours in the F-15E. Leavitt is the 4th Fighter Wing commander.

An F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 148th Fighter Wing, Minnesota Air National Guard, approaches a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 128th Air Refueling Wing, Wisconsin Air National Guard, during a refueling mission on September 9, 2022. The mission took place during an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Boss Lift where employers and community members got to witness what their employees do while they are performing military duty.

970221-F-5742K-008. Base: Strait Of Gibraltar Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 50th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, during exercise Accurate Test 22, within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, May 15, 2022. U.S. Air Force personnel partnered with the Royal Air Force of Oman to improve interoperability, create a mutually supportive partnership and continue to build long-term relationships throughout the Middle East.

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft assigned to the 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy, receives fuel from a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft assigned to the 100th Air Refueling Wing, Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England during a NATO-related vigilance activity over the Adriatic Sea, July 28, 2022. This exercise involved several NATO nations, led by the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) Carrier Strike Group. These type of activities enhance NATO interoperability and cohesion, providing NATO a valuable opportunity to integrate force capability and enhance Alliance cohesion. This KC-135, which has been passed from the 92nd ARW and 141st ARW to the 100th ARW, contains a unique roll-on line-of-site enhancement (ROBE) system that amplifies the data link network available for U.S., partner nation, and NATO forces in the air. These exercises are a clear expression of the U.S.s commitment to promote peace and security in the region by demonstrating our ability to integra

060214-F-6911G-106. Base: Nellis Air Force Base State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

F-16 Fighter JetUS Air Force

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

030610-F-7709A-002. Country: Unknown Scene Major Command Shown: ANG

An F-16C Fighting Falcon piloted by Lt. Col. Johnathan Wentzel, Air Force Research Laboratory deputy chief architecture evaluation, during a training mission with the 64th Aggressor Squadron in support of the U.S. Air Force Weapons School Oct. 26, 2022, over the Nevada Test and Training Range, Nevada. The Aggressor program began in the fall of 1972 with the activation of the 64th Aggressor Squadron. This program started as a direct result of the high air combat loss rate experienced in the Vietnam War.

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 18th Aggressor Squadron, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, 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, May 12, 2022. The JPARC provides more than 77,000 square miles of airspace, making it the worlds largest instrumented air, ground and electronic combat training range. 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 U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon, assigned to the 18th Aggressor Squadron, Eielson Air Force Base, receives fuel from a 92nd Air Refueling Wing KC-135 Stratotanker above the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex during a training sortie for RED FLAG-Alaska 22-2, June 22, 2022. The 18th Aggressor Squadron supports RFA by sharing its knowledge of adversarial tactics, techniques, and procedures to participating units, ensuring the United States and its allies receive the best air combat training possible.

An FB-111A aircraft from the 509th Bombardment Wing undergoes air-to-air refueling from a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft. Vice Admiral Powell Carter, deputy director, Joint Strategic Target Planning STAFF, is aboard the FB-111A as an observer. Country: Unknown

January 28, 2009 - A three-ship formation of F-22 Raptors flies over the Pacific Ocean.

A US Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker refueling boom from the 344th Aerial Refeuling Squadron, McConell Air Force Base, Kansas, passes fuel to a Dutch F-16 Falcon during a refueling mission in a forward location in the European Theatre. This mission is in direct support of Joint Task Force Noble Anvil. Subject Operation/Series: NOBLE ANVIL Country: Spain (ESP)

An F-16 assigned to the Oklahoma Air National Guards 138th Fighter Wing approaches a KC-135 Stratotanker to receive fuel, May 19, 2022. (Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Daniel Ter Haar)

A KC-135 Stratotanker from the 155th Air Refueling Wing refuels two F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy, Sept. 13, 2022, during Ample Strike Exercise. Ample Strike allows the Czech Republic, U.S., Allies and partner forces to maximize interoperability, combat effectiveness and survival awareness while operating in a dynamic and simulated high threat environment through operational and tactical training. (U.S. Air National Guard video by Master Sgt. R. Denise Mommens)

A U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon assigned to the South Carolina Air National Guard lines up behind a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the Kansas Air National Guard for in-fight refueling over the Atlantic Ocean during Sentry Savannah 22-1, May 3, 2022. Sentry Savannah is a joint, total force integrated exercise that showcases the nation's combat aircraft readiness, tests the capabilities of warfighters in a near-peer environment and trains the next generation of fighter pilots for tomorrows fight.

An F-16 Fighting Falcon a part of the Viper Demonstration Team from Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, lines up with a KC-135 Stratotanker to receive fuel Sept. 29, 2022. An F-16 holds 450 gallons, or about 3,060 pounds of fuel.

A B-1B bomber from the 9th Bomb Squadron, 7th Wing, Dyess AFB, Texas, above the clouds, over the Bering Sea off the coast of Alaska. Three B-1B bombers took off on the second of June from Dyess and flew non-stop around the world except for one which made a bombing run in Europe and recovered in Lajes, Portugal. The B-1s were demonstrating Global Reach capabilities and were also attempting to set a world speed record for their weight class. Subject Operation/Series: CORONET BAT Country: United States Of America (USA)

NORAD aircraft receive fuel via air refueling from a U.S. Air Force KC-135 from the Alabama Air National Guard's 117th Air Refueling Wing 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.

An air-to-air left side view of a 495th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-111F aircraft refueling from 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

A right rear view of two F-16 Falcon, Block 52 aircraft (the only such aircraft in the Air National Guard) from the 157th Fighter Squadron and assigned to the 169th Fighter Wing at McEntire ANG Station South Carolina. Lans Stout, a visiting free-lance photographer from Atlantic Beach, Florida, captures pure beauty in flight (OCT 97). This photo was used for a picture story in the popular "Code One" magazine. Base: Mcentire Ang Station State: South Carolina (SC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

August 28, 2007 - F-15 Eagles and a F-16 Fighting Falcon head to the fight after refueling during Red Flag 07-3 exercise at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. Red Flag tests aircrew war-fighting skills in realistic combat situations.

F/A-18C Hornet US Navy

040723-F-6740T-220. Country: Unknown

Under the direction of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), an F-15 assigned to the Massachusetts Air National Guard flies 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-based sensors, air-to-air refueling tankers, and fighter aircraft controlled by a sophisticated command and control

Bottom view of an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft carrying AIM-9J Sidewinder missiles. The aircraft is involved in a United States and Royal Air Force tactical bombing competition. Base: Raf Lossiemouth Country: Scotland (SCT)

a pair two-ship formation of German Air Force (Luftwaffe) McDonnell F-4 Phantom II as seen from a KC-135 Stratotanker tanker boomer position. One F-4 is attached to the refueling boom and the other waits in the quick-refueling position

040611-F-3488S-009. Complete Scene Caption: A US Air Force (USAF) F-16C Fighting Falcon fighter, 18th Fighter Squadron (FS), 354th Fighter Wing (FW), Eielson AFB, Alaska (AK), lines up with the boom of a Illinois Air National Guard (ILANG) KC-135E Stratotanker, 108th Air Refueling Squadron (AFS), 126th Air Refueling Wing (ARW), Scott Air Force Base (AFB), Illinois (IL), during a refueling mission over Alaska (AK) in support of Exercise NORTHERN EDGE 04. NORTHERN EDGE is Alaska's annual joint training exercise (JTX) designed to enhance interoperability among the services by sharpening and honing joint service techniques and procedures. It helps provide a ready force capable of protecting America's interests at home and abroad. More than 9,000 Airmen, Sailors, Soldiers, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen from active duty, Reserve, and National Guard units are participating in this year's exercise. Base: Eielson Air Force Base State: Alaska (AK) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lighting II takes off during Black Flag 22-1 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, May 10, 2022. One of the objectives of Black Flag 22-1 is to investigate long-range kill chain options from sensor to shooter to ensure interoperability and integrated effects for mission success.

A F-22 Raptor with the Demonstration Team from Joint Base Langley-Eustis flies next to a KC-135R Stratotanker with the 155th Air Refueling Wing, Aug. 25, 2022, during an air refueling. F-22 pilots received fuel from the 173rd Air Refueling Squadron in order to arrive and prepare for their air show in South Padre Island, Texas.

An F-15C Eagle aircraft from 65th Aggressor Squadron sits behind a KC-135R Stratotanker from 91st Air Refueling Squadron while flying over the Pacific Alaskan Range Complex during the training exercise Red Flag-Alaska

U.S. Air Force F-15 Eagles assigned to Louisiana Air National Guard's 159th Fighter Wing, fly in formation beneath a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to MacDill Air Force Bases 6th Air Refueling Wing in support of North American Aerospace Defense Command's (NORAD) Operation Noble Defender (OND), June 27, 2022. As a part of OND, which is a recurring operation, the Continental U.S. NORAD Region (CONR) coordinated and conducted joint operations with the U.S. Navy while concurrently launching jets from different locations across the United States' gulf coast and Puerto Rico. OND, is an integrated air and missile defense operation designed to ensure the defense and security of the northern and southern approaches to North America. This particular OND allowed NORAD units to exercise maneuvers designed to defend the southern approach to the United States from simulated cruise missile threats. NORAD is a bi-national Canadianand American command that employs a network of aerial, ground-based, an

An air-to-air right rear view of a B-1B aircraft during exercise Distant Mariner. Subject Operation/Series: DISTANT MARINER Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles assigned to the 335th Fighter Squadron breaks away from a KC-135 Stratotanker, assigned to the 50th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron after an in-flight refueling within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, May 4, 2022. The F-15E Strike Eagle is a dual-role fighter designed to perform air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.

Four 70th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4E Phantom II aircraft armed with AGM-65A Maverick missiles fly in formation during exercise Pround Phantom'80. Base: Cairo West Air Base State: Al Qahirah Country: Egypt (EGY)

DF-ST-87-07688. Country: Turkey (TUR)

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.

Members of the 506th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron perform a midair refueling mission on an F-15 Strike Eagle Oct. 14, 2010, over the Pacific Ocean. The 168th ARW is deployed to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam in support of the continuous bomber presence and theater security packages in the Pacific region. The 506th EARS is an Air National Guard unit deployed to Andersen AFB from the 168th Air Refueling Wing, Alaska. (U. S. Air Force photo/Airman Whitney Amstutz)

DF-ST-88-02179. Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

An air-to-air overhead view of a 48th Tactical Fighter Wing F-111F aircraft during refueling operations over Sicily. The F-111F, based at RAF Lakenheath, England, is returning from a deployment to Turkey. It is refueling from a KC-10A Extender aircraft wh. Country: Unknown

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 U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft, assigned to the 355th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, conducts a training exercise alongside regional partner nation air forces within across the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, June 7, 2022. This routine exercise is designed to ensure seamless integration between forces, fortifying our collective capability to maintain a stable and secure region.

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 77th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron refuels from a KC-10 Extender assigned to the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron over an undisclosed location in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Oct. 31, 2022. With assistance from the KC-10, F-16s are able to remain in the air for longer durations, maximizing their patrol time and ensuring regional stability.

A head-on view of a Fighter Squadron 2 (VF-2) F-14A Tomcat aircraft. The aircraft is assigned the aircraft carrier USS RANGER (CV 61). Country: Indian Ocean (IOC)

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle assigned to the 492nd FigAn F-15E Strike Eagle assigned to the 492nd Fighter Squadron at RAF Lakenheath, U.K., approaches a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 100th Air Refueling Wing, RAF Mildenhall, U.K., to receive fuel over Scotland during exercise Joint Warrior 19-1, April 4, 2019. Joint Warrior is hosted by the U.K. biannually and aims to allow NATO forces to conduct joint operations in a complex environment, involving different military branches and units from different countries against a range of current and future threats.

F-16s from the U.S. Air Force Fighter Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nevada fly in formation over the skies above the ranges north of Nellis after flying a training mission during the extensive course. Country: Unknown

A close-up view as a Canadian Forces CF-18A Hornet is inflight refueled with a drogue from a KC-10 Extender. The CF-18A is assigned to the 416 Tactical Fighter Squadron at 4 Wing Cold Lake and is participating in the exercise that will test the response of the air intercept and air defense capabilities of the American and Canadian Forces, supporting the mission of NORAD (North American Air Defense command). SCREEN RESOLUTION ONLY. Subject Operation/Series: AMALGAM WARRIOR Base: Cold Lake State: Alberta (AB) Country: Canada (CAN)

011205-F-1279W-007. Subject Operation/Series: NOBLE EAGLE State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor assigned to the 3rd Wing, and an F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to Eielson Air Force base fly next to 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.

A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lighting II takes off during Black Flag 22-1 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, May 10, 2022. A Black Flag 22-1 objective is to accelerate current Tactics Improvement Proposal (TIP) progression and weapon system test and integration requirements to field advanced capabilities faster.

The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron "Thunderbirds" perform a high show demonstration during the Sun n Fun airshow April 9, 2022, in Lakeland, Florida. This was the teams first civilian airshow of the season.

U.S. Air Force KC-10 Extenders conduct mid-air refueling during Operation Centennial Contact, June 27, 2023. The historical flight commemorates Operation Centennial Contact, a celebration of a century of aerial refueling capabilities. The operation involved 152 total aircraft, including 82 tankers and 70 receivers, traversing sites across the United States.

The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, known as the Thunderbirds, perform for the Airshow London Skydrive in London, Ontario, September, 9, 2022. This was the Thunderbirds second performance in Canada for the 2022 season.

An A-10 Thunderbolt II assigned to the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron conducts a strafing run over the Nevada Test and Training Range, Nevada, Dec. 7, 2022. The A-10 Thunderbolt II offers excellent maneuverability at low airspeeds and altitude while maintaining a highly accurate weapons-delivery platform.

An air-to-air left rear view of an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft of the 429th Tactical Fighter Squadron armed with four Mark 84 2000-pound bombs. Country: Unknown

Aerial view as USAF B-52 Stratofortress long-range bomber moves into position for aerial refueling by a KC-135 tanker from the 452nd Air Refueling Wing, March Air Force Base, California. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Country: Unknown

A U.S. Air Force 44th Fighter Squadron F-15C Eagle receives fuel from a 909th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker over South Korea, Nov. 4, 2022. Kadena received its first F-15 C's in 1979. Since then, the tactical fighter has provided unmatched air superiority for the Indo-Pacific region.

A U.S. Air Force F-15 Eagle with the 125th Fighter Wing, Florida Air National Guard, refuels in-flight from a KC-135 Stratotanker with the 117th Air Refueling Wing, Alabama ANG, during exercise Sentry Savannah. Three air refueling units from across the Air National Guard provided in-flight refueling in support of Sentry Savannah 2022, the ANGs premier counter air exercise which encompasses 10 units of fourth and fifth generation fighter aircraft, tests the capabilities of our warfighters in a simulated near-peer environment and trains the next generation of fighter pilots for tomorrows fight.

A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III receives aerial refueling from a KC-135 Stratotanker during a training event over Washington state, Feb. 23, 2024. The 92nd Operations Group held a week-long training event to build proficiency with the Real-Time Information in Cockpit system, which was designed to increase connectivity between Air assets during real-world operations worldwide. During the training event, pilots and in-flight refueling operators learned about the components of RTIC, performed ground training to simulate using the system and utilized the system during a training flight. Training like this ensures Fairchild AFBs Airmen are prepared to apply appropriate tactics to possible pacing threats and demonstrates their readiness for tomorrows fight anytime, anywhere. Air Force

DF-ST-89-05875. Base: George Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An underside view of an F-4 Phantom II aircraft banking sharply to the right during exercise Cento. Subject Operation/Series: CENTO Country: Iran (IRN)

DN-SC-89-07045. Country: Unknown

DF-ST-88-03468. Country: West Germany (FRG)

DF-ST-85-02830. Country: Unknown

A US Air Force B-1B Lancer on a combat patrol over Afghanistan

DF-ST-89-03612. Country: Unknown

F-14B Tomcat US Navy

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