BB26-1: Hot-gas refueling strengthens HH-60 readiness

U.S. Air Force special mission aviators assigned to the 33rd Rescue Squadron refuel a U.S. Air Force HH-60W Jolly Green II during a hot-gas refueling operation as part of readiness exercise Beverly Beach 26-1 at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 4, 2026. BB26-1 provides Airmen opportunities to refine expeditionary operations and strengthen the 18th Wing's ability to generate combat airpower in contested environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Nathaniel Jackson)

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BB26-1: Hot-gas refueling strengthens HH-60 readiness

U.S. Air Force special mission aviators assigned to the 33rd Rescue Squadron refuel a U.S. Air Force HH-60W Jolly Green II during a hot-gas refueling operation as part of readiness exercise Beverly Beach 26-1 at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 4, 2026. BB26-1 provides Airmen opportunities to refine expeditionary operations and strengthen the 18th Wing's ability to generate combat airpower in contested environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Nathaniel Jackson)

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BB26-1: Hot-gas refueling strengthens HH-60 readiness

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Joshua Vasquez, 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron petroleum, oil and lubricants distribution operator, monitors an HH-60W Jolly Green II while operating a fuel truck during a hot-gas refueling operation as part of readiness exercise Beverly Beach 26-1 at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 4, 2026. Readiness exercises such as BB26-1 strengthen the 18th Wing's ability to generate combat airpower by validating expeditionary logistics capabilities in realistic training scenarios. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Nathaniel Jackson) (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Nathaniel Jackson)

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BB26-1: Hot-gas refueling strengthens HH-60 readiness

U.S. Air Force special mission aviators assigned to the 33rd Rescue Squadron complete a hot-gas refueling operation on a U.S. Air Force HH-60W Jolly Green II during readiness exercise Beverly Beach 26-1 at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 4, 2026. Rapid aircraft turnaround strengthens the 18th Wing's ability to sustain airpower and respond to evolving operational requirements across the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Nathaniel Jackson)

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BB26-1: Hot-gas refueling strengthens HH-60 readiness

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Joshua Vasquez, 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron petroleum, oil and lubricants distribution operator, secures equipment after completing a hot-gas refueling operation during readiness exercise Beverly Beach 26-1 at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 4, 2026. Readiness exercises such as BB26-1 strengthen the 18th Wing's ability to generate combat airpower by validating expeditionary logistics capabilities in realistic training scenarios. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Nathaniel Jackson)

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BB26-1: Hot-gas refueling strengthens HH-60 readiness

U.S. Air Force Capt. Tyler Wright, 33rd Rescue Squadron HH-60W Jolly Green II pilot, remains at the controls while U.S. Air Force special mission aviators assigned to the 33rd Rescue Squadron refuel a U.S. Air Force HH-60W Jolly Green II during a hot-gas refueling operation as part of readiness exercise Beverly Beach 26-1 at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 4, 2026. BB26-1 provides Airmen opportunities to refine expeditionary operations and strengthen the 18th Wing's ability to generate combat airpower in contested environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Nathaniel Jackson)

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BB26-1: Hot-gas refueling strengthens HH-60 readiness

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Joshua Vasquez, right, 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron petroleum, oil and lubricants distribution operator, completes fuel documentation with a U.S. Air Force 33rd Rescue Squadron special mission aviator, left, following the refueling of an HH-60W Jolly Green II during a hot-gas refueling operation as part of readiness exercise Beverly Beach 26-1 at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 4, 2026. Rapid aircraft turnaround strengthens the 18th Wing's ability to sustain airpower and respond to evolving operational requirements across the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Nathaniel Jackson)

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BB26-1: Hot-gas refueling strengthens HH-60 readiness

Published Aug. 5, 2026
By A1C Nathaniel Jackson

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --