Aerial allies in action: 909th ARS meets the fleet

A U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 102 (VFA-102) waits for aerial refueling from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron,　during a joint training exercise over the Pacific Ocean, Aug. 7, 2025. The joint training bolstered all both services’ interoperability and capability to defend Japan and other assets and allies throughout the Indo-Pacific Theater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melany Bermudez)

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Aerial allies in action: 909th ARS meets the fleet

U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, perform a pre-flight brief in front of a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th ARS before an aerial refueling flight at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 7, 2025. The 909th ARS is the U.S. Pacific Air Force’s premier unit for providing air refueling to joint and Allied aircraft throughout the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melany Bermudez)

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Aerial allies in action: 909th ARS meets the fleet

U.S. Air Force Capt. Thomas Reay, 909th Air Refueling Squadron pilot, and U.S. Air Force Airman Andres Coronel, 909th Aircraft Maintenance Unit hydraulic system apprentice, conduct pre-flight checks on a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th ARS at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 7, 2025. The 909th ARS is the U.S. Pacific Air Force’s premier unit for providing air refueling to joint and Allied aircraft throughout the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melany Bermudez)

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Aerial allies in action: 909th ARS meets the fleet

U.S. Air Force Capt. Thomas Reay, 909th Air Refueling Squadron pilot, and U.S. Air Force Airman Andres Coronel, 909th Aircraft Maintenance Unit hydraulic system apprentice, conduct pre-flight checks on a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th ARS at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 7, 2025. The 909th ARS is the U.S. Pacific Air Force’s premier unit for providing air refueling to joint and Allied aircraft throughout the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melany Bermudez)

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Aerial allies in action: 909th ARS meets the fleet

A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242 (VMFA-242), left, and U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 102 (VFA-102), wait for aerial refueling from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, during a joint training exercise over the Pacific Ocean, Aug. 7, 2025. The joint training bolstered all three services’ interoperability and capability to defend Japan and other assets and allies throughout the Indo-Pacific Theater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melany Bermudez)

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Aerial allies in action: 909th ARS meets the fleet

U.S. Air Force Capt. Rachel Young, 909th Air Refueling Squadron pilot, prepares for takeoff for an aerial refueling flight at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 7,2025. The 909th ARS executes rapid deployment of KC-135s to support a multitude of Pacific Air Force missions, displaying Kadena’s commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melany Bermudez)

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Aerial allies in action: 909th ARS meets the fleet

A U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 27 (VFA-27) receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, during a joint training exercise over the Pacific Ocean, Aug. 7, 2025. The joint training bolstered both services’ interoperability and capability to defend Japan and other assets and allies throughout the Indo-Pacific Theater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melany Bermudez)

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Aerial allies in action: 909th ARS meets the fleet

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Andre Jimenez-Guzman, 909th Air Refueling Squadron boom operator, refuels a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 27 (VFA-27), during a joint training exercise over the Pacific Ocean, Aug. 7, 2025. Aerial refueling capabilities extend airborne training time and combat radius, ensuring joint and Allied aircraft are postured to maintain regional peace and stability within the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melany Bermudez)

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250807-F-BX586-1329

fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, over the Pacific Ocean, Aug. 7, 2025. During the drogue-and-probe refueling method, a retractable probe from the receiving aircraft connects with the drogue, which trails behind the tanker aircraft via a hose attached to the flying boom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melany Bermudez)

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Aerial allies in action: 909th ARS meets the fleet

U.S. Air Force Capt. Thomas Reay, left, and Capt. Rachel Young, 909th Air Refueling Squadron pilots, fly a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th ARSfor aerial refueling at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 7, 2025. The 909th ARS executes rapid deployment of KC-135s to support a multitude of Pacific Air Force missions, displaying Kadena’s commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melany Bermudez)

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Aerial allies in action: 909th ARS meets the fleet

A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242 (VMFA-242), receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, over the Pacific Ocean, Aug. 7, 2025. During the drogue-and-probe refueling method, a retractable probe from the receiving aircraft connects with the drogue, which trails behind the tanker aircraft via a hose attached to the flying boom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melany Bermudez)

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Aerial allies in action: 909th ARS meets the fleet

A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242 (VMFA-242), flies away from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, after receiving refueling over the Pacific Ocean, Aug. 7, 2025. The joint training bolstered both services’ interoperability and capability to defend Japan and other assets and allies throughout the Indo-Pacific Theater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melany Bermudez)

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Aerial allies in action: 909th ARS meets the fleet

Published Aug. 11, 2025
By Senior Airmen Melany Bermudez
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan. --

A KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron refueled U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets and a U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II during a joint training exercise over the Pacific Ocean, Aug. 7, 2025. The joint training bolstered all services’ interoperability and capability to defend Japan and other assets and allies throughout the Indo-Pacific Theater.

Aerial allies in action: 909th ARS meets the fleet

Aerial allies in action: 909th ARS meets the fleet

Aerial allies in action: 909th ARS meets the fleet

Aerial allies in action: 909th ARS meets the fleet

Aerial allies in action: 909th ARS meets the fleet

Aerial allies in action: 909th ARS meets the fleet

Aerial allies in action: 909th ARS meets the fleet

Aerial allies in action: 909th ARS meets the fleet

250807-F-BX586-1329

Aerial allies in action: 909th ARS meets the fleet

Aerial allies in action: 909th ARS meets the fleet

Aerial allies in action: 909th ARS meets the fleet