Strengthening collective lethality, increasing interoperability

A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18D Hornet aircraft with Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA(AW)-533), receives fuel from a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker, assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan, over the Indo-Pacific theater, April 20, 2022. U.S. Navy and Marine Corps fighter assets integrated with U.S. Air Force assets to rehearse multi-domain joint and allied missions, increasing interoperability and strengthening collective lethality. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Yosselin Perla)

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Strengthening collective lethality, increasing interoperability

A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121, receives fuel from a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker, assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan, over the Indo-Pacific theater, April 20, 2022. These missions are opportunities for Pacific Air Forces to perform routine integration with joint and allied forces and assure regional allies and partners of the continued U.S. commitment to the defense of our Allies and their sovereign territory. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Yosselin Perla)

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Strengthening collective lethality, increasing interoperability

A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18D Hornet aircraft with Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA(AW)-533), receives fuel from a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker, assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan, over the Indo-Pacific theater, April 20, 2022. U.S. Navy and Marine Corps fighter assets integrated with U.S. Air Force assets to rehearse multi-domain joint and allied missions, increasing interoperability and strengthening collective lethality. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Yosselin Perla)

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Strengthening collective lethality, increasing interoperability

A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18D Hornet aircraft with Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA(AW)-533), flies alongside a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker, assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan, over the Indo-Pacific theater, April 20, 2022. These missions are opportunities for Pacific Air Forces to perform routine integration with joint and allied forces and assure regional allies and partners of the continued U.S. commitment to the defense of our Allies and their sovereign territory. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Yosselin Perla)

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Strengthening collective lethality, increasing interoperability

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Ethan Parker, 909th Air Refueling Squadron boom operator, prepares for an inflight refueling mission over the Indo-Pacific theater, April 20, 2022. Boom operators like Parker play an important role in air refueling operations by directly controlling the "boom" which transfers fuel to other aircraft mid-flight, allowing extended operation time. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Yosselin Perla)

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Strengthening collective lethality, increasing interoperability

Tech. Sgt. Maria Mendoza, 909th Air Refueling Squadron communications D-Flight flight chief, overlooks pre-flight checks on a KC-135 Stratotanker at Kadena Air Base, Japan, April 20, 2022. The KC-135 Stratotanker can hold up to 200,000 pounds of fuel, which is pumped through the tanker’s flying boom and utilized mid-flight to refuel a variety of aircraft, thus extending its global reach to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Yosselin Perla)

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Strengthening collective lethality, increasing interoperability

From left to right, U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Ethan Parker, boom operator, Capt. Trevor Gardner, pilot, and Capt. Austin Martin, pilot, all assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, conduct a pre-flight briefing at Kadena Air Base, Japan, April 20, 2022. The 909th ARS is the Pacific Air Force's lead force for air refueling U.S. and allied aircraft during all contingencies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Yosselin Perla)

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Strengthening collective lethality, increasing interoperability

Published April 22, 2022
By Airman 1st Class Yosselin Perla
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --