Ready today, lethal always

U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs assigned to the 356th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, both deployed to Kadena Air Base, fly in formation with a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron over the Pacific Ocean, Japan, Dec. 18, 2025. The reception of advanced fighter aircraft at Kadena ensures the 18th Wing remains postured to deliver lethal and credible airpower to ensure the defense of U.S. allies and a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Arnet Tamayo)

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Ready today, lethal always

U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs assigned to the 356th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, both deployed to Kadena Air Base, fly in formation with a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron over the Pacific Ocean, Japan, Dec. 18, 2025. The reception of advanced fighter aircraft at Kadena ensures the 18th Wing remains postured to deliver lethal and credible airpower to ensure the defense of U.S. allies and a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Arnet Tamayo)

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Ready today, lethal always

U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs assigned to the 356th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, both deployed to Kadena Air Base, fly in formation with a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron over the Pacific Ocean, Japan, Dec. 18, 2025. The reception of advanced fighter aircraft at Kadena ensures the 18th Wing remains postured to deliver lethal and credible airpower to ensure the defense of U.S. allies and a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Arnet Tamayo)

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Ready today, lethal always

U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs assigned to the 356th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, both deployed to Kadena Air Base, fly in formation with a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron over the Pacific Ocean, Japan, Dec. 18, 2025. The reception of advanced fighter aircraft at Kadena ensures the 18th Wing remains postured to deliver lethal and credible airpower to ensure the defense of U.S. allies and a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Arnet Tamayo)

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Ready today, lethal always

U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcons assigned to the 119th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, both deployed to Kadena Air Base, wait for aerial refueling off the wing of a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron over the Pacific Ocean, Dec. 18, 2025. The reception of advanced fighter aircraft at Kadena ensures the 18th Wing remains postured to deliver lethal and credible airpower to ensure the defense of U.S. allies and a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Arnet Tamayo)

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Ready today, lethal always

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Kayla Mbaye, 909th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker pilot conducts a preflight check at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Dec. 18, 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 Airman 1st Class Arnet Tamayo)

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Ready today, lethal always

A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron sits on the flight line at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Dec. 18, 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 Airman 1st Class Arnet Tamayo)

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Ready today, lethal always

U.S. Air Force Capt. Trevor Browning, left, and 1st Lt. Kayla Mbaye, both 909th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker pilots, conduct a preflight brief at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Dec. 18, 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 Airman 1st Class Arnet Tamayo)

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Ready today, lethal always

Published Jan. 5, 2026
By Airman 1st Class Arnet Tamayo
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --