909th powers U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps during large force exercise

U.S. Air Force Capt. Cooper Hawkley, 909th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker co-pilot, pilots a KC-135 while supporting a large force exercise over the Pacific Ocean, Aug. 26, 2025. The 909th ARS is the Pacific Air Forces' lead unit for providing aerial refueling to U.S. and allied aircraft during all contingencies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gary Hilton)

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909th powers U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps during large force exercise

A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 214, Marine Aircraft Group 12, departs after aerial refueling with a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron during a large force exercise over the Pacific Ocean, Aug. 26, 2025. The 909th ARS supported the exercise by providing aerial refueling capabilities to U.S. Navy and Marine Corps assets, demonstrating the U.S. military’s commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gary Hilton)

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909th powers U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps during large force exercise

A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II, assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 214, Marine Aircraft Group 12, conducts aerial refueling with a KC-135 Stratoanker, assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron over the Pacific Ocean, Aug. 26, 2025. The F-35B provides fifth-generation stealth, advanced sensors, and network-enabled capabilities and operates from expeditionary airfields, amphibious ships, and other environments with limited runway space.(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gary Hilton)

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909th powers U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps during large force exercise

A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 214, Marine Aircraft Group 12, and a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron fly in formation during a large force exercise over the Pacific Ocean, Aug. 26, 2025. The KC-135 provides core aerial refueling capabilities for the U.S. Air Force and has excelled in this role for more than 60 years. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gary Hilton)

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909th powers U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps during large force exercise

A U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron 131 approaches a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron during a large force exercise over the Pacific Ocean, Aug. 26, 2025. The Growler, built to replace the EA-6B Prowler, is the first newly designed electronic warfare aircraft produced in more than 35 years. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gary Hilton)

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909th powers U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps during large force exercise

A U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler from Electronic Attack Squadron 131 approaches a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron during a large force exercise over the Pacific Ocean, Aug. 26, 2025. The 909th ARS supported the exercise by providing aerial refueling capabilities to U.S. Navy and Marine Corps assets, underscoring the U.S. military’s commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gary Hilton)

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909th powers U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps during large force exercise

A U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron 131 performs aerial refueling with a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron during a large force exercise over the Pacific Ocean, Aug. 26, 2025. The 909th ARS provided aerial refueling support to U.S. Navy and Marine Corps assets, highlighting the U.S. military’s dedication to a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gary Hilton)

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909th powers U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps during large force exercise

Published Sept. 17, 2025
By Staff Sgt. Gary Hilton
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --

A KC-135 Stratotanker from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron conducts aerial refueling operations with U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning IIs from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 214, Marine Aircraft Group 12, and U.S. Navy EA-18G Growlers assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron 131, over the Pacific Ocean, Aug. 26, 2025. The 909th ARS supported the exercise by providing aerial refueling capabilities to U.S. Navy and Marine Corps assets, demonstrating the U.S. military’s commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.