After dark: nighttime air refueling with the E-3 Sentry

A U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry assigned to the 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron, approaches a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron for nighttime aerial refueling over the Pacific Ocean, Sept. 24, 2025. The 961st AACS is a combat-ready E-3 squadron providing airborne command and control, long-range surveillance, detection and identification information for commanders in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melany Bermudez)

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After dark: nighttime air refueling with the E-3 Sentry

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Dan Walton, 909th Air Refueling Squadron pilot, conducts pre-flight checks on a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th ARS at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Sept. 24, 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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After dark: nighttime air refueling with the E-3 Sentry

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Dan Walton, 909th Air Refueling Squadron pilot and a 909th Aircraft Maintenance Unit hydraulic systems Airman, conduct pre-flight checks on a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th ARS at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Sept. 24, 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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After dark: nighttime air refueling with the E-3 Sentry

U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotankers assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, sits on the flightline before a refueling mission at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Sept. 24, 2025. Kadena serves as a hub for airpower in the Pacific, ensuring readiness to project force capabilities and provide support to regional allies and partners when called upon. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melany Bermudez)

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After dark: nighttime air refueling with the E-3 Sentry

U.S. Air Force Capt. Cooper Hawkley, 909th Air Refueling Squadron pilot, prepares for takeoff in a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th ARS at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Sept. 24, 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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After dark: nighttime air refueling with the E-3 Sentry

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Ryan Kemp, 18th Operations Group KC-135 branch non commissioned officer in charge, conducts pre-flight checks on a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th ARS at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Sept. 24, 2025. Kadena serves as a hub for airpower in the Pacific, ensuring readiness to project force capabilities and provide support to regional allies and partners when called upon. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melany Bermudez)

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After dark: nighttime air refueling with the E-3 Sentry

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Dan Walton, left, and Capt. Cooper Hawkley, 909th Air Refueling Squadron pilots, operate a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th ARS for a nighttime aerial refueling mission at Kadena Air Base, Japan,Sept. 24, 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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After dark: nighttime air refueling with the E-3 Sentry

A U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry assigned to the 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron, conducts nighttime aerial refueling with a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron over the Pacific Ocean, Sept. 24, 2025. The E-3 provides necessary information for partner and allied forces to accomplish missions within the physically extensive and strategically complex Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melany Bermudez)

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After dark: nighttime air refueling with the E-3 Sentry

U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, sits on the flightline before a refueling mission at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Sept. 24, 2025. Kadena serves as a hub for airpower in the Pacific, ensuring readiness to project force capabilities and provide support to regional allies and partners when called upon. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melany Bermudez)

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After dark: nighttime air refueling with the E-3 Sentry

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Dan Walton, left, and Capt. Cooper Hawkley, 909th Air Refueling Squadron pilots, prepare for takeoff in a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th ARS at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Sept. 24, 2025. The 909th ARS executes rapid deployment of KC-135s to support a multitude of Pacific Air Force missions, demonstrating 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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After dark: nighttime air refueling with the E-3 Sentry

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Ryan Kemp, 18th Operations Group KC-135 branch non commissioned officer in charge, reviews his checklist during a nighttime aerial refueling mission over the Pacific Ocean, Sept. 24, 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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After dark: nighttime air refueling with the E-3 Sentry

Published Sept. 30, 2025
By Senior Airman Melany Bermudez
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --

The 909th Air Refueling Squadron refueled a E-3 Sentry assigned to the 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron during nighttime refueling at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Sept. 24, 2025. The 961st AACS is a combat-ready E-3 squadron providing airborne command and control, long-range surveillance, detection and identification information for commanders in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.