Planes over water — AIR FORCE PHOTOS

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Fueling the Raptor

An F-22 Raptor receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker, flown by pilots from the 465th Air Refueling Squadron stationed at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., over the Stony Military Operations Area, Alaska, Aug. 15, 2023. The F-22 is assigned to the 525th Fighter Squadron at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Grady Epperly)

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All in the family

Senior Master Sgt. Marykathleen Olaes, 82nd Aerial Port Squadron manager, plays with her nephew during a KC-46 Pegasus arrival ceremony at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., July 28, 2023. During the event, Travis AFB welcomed their first KC-46 and celebrated the official beginning of the installation’s KC-46 operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Nicholas Pilch)

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On target

Maj. Carl Price and Capt. Elisabeth Holloway, 39th Rescue Squadron pilots, fly an HC-130J Combat King II underneath a KC-46 Pegasus during an air-to-air refueling training exercise over the Gulf of Maine, July 12, 2023. The 39th RQS routinely conducts refueling training to hone skills for combat search and rescue missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Darius Sostre-Miroir)

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New engine on the way

Aerospace propulsion craftsmen with the 121st Air Refueling Wing Maintenance Squadron replace an engine on a KC-135 Stratotanker at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Columbus, Ohio, July 18, 2023. Maintainers are imperative to the mission, ensuring aircraft are in operational condition and able to deploy at a moment's notice. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman First Class Ivy Thomas)

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Visual inspection

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Brendan Price, 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron in-flight refueling specialist, visually inspects the exterior of a KC-10 Extender at an undisclosed location, July 11, 2023. The KC-10 Extender allows air assets to remain in the air for longer durations, maximizing their patrol time and ensuring regional stability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jacob Cabanero)

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Tail washing

Tech. Sgt. Gavin Ball, an isochronal inspector with the 121st Air Refueling Wing Maintenance Squadron, Ohio Air National Guard, washes the tail of a KC-135 Stratotanker before inspection at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, Ohio, July 12, 2023. Isochronal inspections are detailed inspections conducted every 18 months to ensure aircraft is properly maintained and mission ready. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Ivy Thomas)

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In-flight training

Maj. Amanda Peterson, 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron training flight commander, briefs her team about a simulated patient during in-flight training at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, June 27, 2023. Members with the 86th AES conduct monthly training with the 93rd Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron in a KC-135 Stratotanker to maintain familiarity with the aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Allison Payne)

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100 years of air refueling

A B-2 Spirit from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., flies behind a KC-135 Stratotanker from Scott AFB, Ill., during a commemorative flight marking the 100-year anniversary of air refueling over Missouri, June 27, 2023. The B-2 is a versatile bomber with capabilities to deploy both conventional and nuclear munitions, signifying a significant advancement in the U.S. bomber modernization program. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Mark Sulaica)

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Up-close

An F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot with the South Dakota Air National Guard’s 114th Fighter Wing looks up while flying under a KC-135 Stratotanker to receive fuel over southeast South Dakota, June 27, 2023. Nearly all internal fuel can be pumped through the flying boom, the KC-135’s primary fuel transfer method. One crewmember, known as the boom operator, is stationed in the rear of the plane and controls the boom during in-flight air refueling. (U.S. Air National Guard photo Senior Master Sgt. Vincent De Groot)

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Over the mountain

F-15C Eagles fly near a KC-135 Stratotanker over Mount Hood, Ore., as part of Operation Centennial Contact, June 27, 2023. The movement, which also included flights over Yellowstone National Park, Mount Rushmore and Glacier National Park, was part of Air Mobility Command’s celebration of 100 years of air refueling operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Lawrence Sena)

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Thracian Sentry 2023

A KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 134th Air Refueling Wing and F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 337th Fighter Squadron fly over Greece, June 20th, 2023. The 134th ARW and 337th FS supported Thracian Sentry 2023, a joint operation between the 134th ARW, Hellenic and Bulgaria air forces. (U.S. National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Ben Cash)

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Final goodbye

The 305th and 514th Air Mobility Wings bid farewell to the last KC-10 Extender set for retirement during a ceremony at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., June 21, 2023. The retirement of the final KC-10 Extender represents a transition toward a more modern and advanced Total Force tanker enterprise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sergio Avalos)

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Getting vertical

An F-22 Raptor from the F-22 Raptor Demo Team flies over Rickenbacker International Airport, Ohio, June 16, 2023, as part of the Columbus Airshow, which returned after an almost 20-year absence. The airshow featured more than 20 military and civilian planes, including a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 121st Air Refueling Wing, which served as the base of operation for military aircraft participating in the show. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Ivy Thomas)

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Extending the mission

A U.S. Air Force KC-10A Extender flies above Saudi Arabia after participating in a Bomber Task Force mission, June 8, 2023. The BTF mission was designed to build agility and interoperability between the U.S. and coalition partners while demonstrating the rapid deployment of combat power to deter regional aggression while promoting regional stability in Southwest Asia. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Frank Rohrig)

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Keeping the spirit alive

A KC-135 Stratotanker from the 121st Air Refueling Wing refuels a Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit over the skies of Missouri, June 7, 2023. The KC-135 enables the B-2, also known as a stealth bomber, to bring massive firepower to bear, in a short time, anywhere around the globe through previously impenetrable defenses. (U.S. Air National Guard Photo by Airman 1st Class Ivy Thomas)

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To top it off

Staff Sgt. Benjamin Wiest, crew chief with the 121st Maintenance group, tops off the hydraulic fluid in a KC-135 Stratotanker before a flight June 1, 2023, at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Ohio. The 121st Air Refueling Wing trains constantly to be always ready to deliver credible nuclear deterrence. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Ralph Branson)

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AD23

KC-135 Stratotankers assigned to the 128th Air Refueling Wing Wisconsin National Guard, 168th Wing, Alaska National Guard, and the 161st Air Refueling Wing, Arizona National Guard, stand ready to perform the air bridge portion of exercise Air Defender 2023 at Keflavik Air Base, Iceland, June 2, 2023. The exercise integrates both U.S. and allied air-power to defend shared values, while leveraging and strengthening vital partnerships to deter aggression around the world. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Kellen Kroening)

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AD23

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon with the 140th Wing, Colorado National Guard, approaches a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 128th Air Refueling Wing, Wisconsin National Guard, as it prepares to receive fuel as part of an air bridge in preparation for exercise Air Defender 2023 over the Atlantic Ocean, June 3, 2023. Air Defender 2023, running June 12-23, is the largest air forces redeployment exercise since NATO was founded, integrating both U.S. and allied airpower to defend shared values, while leveraging and strengthening vital partnerships to deter aggression around the world. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Kellen Kroening)

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AD23

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon with the 140th Wing, Colorado National Guard, flies along a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 128th Air Refueling Wing, Wisconsin National Guard, after receiving fuel as part of an air bridge in preparation for exercise Air Defender 2023 over the Atlantic Ocean, June 3, 2023. The exercise integrates both U.S. and allied air power to defend shared values, while leveraging and strengthening vital partnerships to deter aggression around the world. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Kellen Kroening)

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AD23

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Austin Bekkum, a crew chief assigned to the 128th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 128th Air Refueling Wing, Wisconsin National Guard, performs maintenance on a KC-135 Stratotanker wing as part of pre-flight procedures during exercise Air Defender 2023 at Keflavik Air Base, Iceland, June 2, 2023. Air Defender 2023, running June 12-23, is the largest air forces redeployment exercise since NATO was founded, integrating both U.S. and allied airpower to defend shared values, while leveraging and strengthening vital partnerships to deter aggression around the world. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Kellen Kroening)

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