Air-to-Air Refueling

Photos feature multiple aircraft in mid-air refueling operations, demonstrating essential aerial logistics and support for military missions.

July 24, 2009 - A U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control system aircraft moves into refueling position over the Nevada Test and Training Range during Red Flag 09-4.
July 24, 2009 - A U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control system aircraft moves into refueling position over the Nevada Test and Training Range during Red Flag 09-4.
260 assets in this story
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A view of the tail section of a 51st Tactical Fighter Wing (51st TFW) F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft. The 51st TFW is taking part in exercise Cope Tora '90, a Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) bombing and gunnery exercise. Subject Operation/Series: COPE TORA '90 Base: Clark Air Base State: Luzon Country: Philippines (PHL)
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041209-F-0148C-002. Base: Oklahoma Angb Tulsa State: Oklahoma (OK) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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DN-SC-89-06161. State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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Combat Drone Drone aircraft launching an air to ground missile Copyright: xZoonar.com/PaulxFleetx 4013720
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B-2 Spirits deployed from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., taxi toward the flightline prior to take off at Andersen AFB, Guam, Aug. 11, 2016. Bomber crews readily deploy in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region to conduct global operations in coordination with other combatant commands, services, and appropriate U.S. government agencies to deter and detect strategic attacks against the U.S., its allies and partners.
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An air-to-air front view of a Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 321 (VMFA-321) F/A-18A Hornet aircraft in a diamond formation as they return to Naval Air Station, Fallon, after a close air support mission. The reserve squadron is at Fallon for two weeks of active duty training at the Naval Air Warfare Center target complex. Base: Naval Air Station, Fallon State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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A C-23A Sherpa aircraft from the 10th Military Airlift Squadron flies over the Rhine valley during a flight out of Zweibrucken Air Base, West Germany. Country: Federal Republic Of Germany (FRG)
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A F-22 Raptor with the Demonstration Team from Joint Base Langley-Eustis flies next to a KC-135R Stratotanker with the 155th Air Refueling Wing, Aug. 25, 2022, during an air refueling. F-22 pilots received fuel from the 173rd Air Refueling Squadron in order to arrive and prepare for their air show in South Padre Island, Texas.
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A MQ-4C on the runway at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, July 13, 2022. The MQ-4C is on a deployment to MCAS Iwakuni in support of continuing operations in the Indo-Pacific area of operations. The "Big Red" of VUP-19 are deployed in support of Commander Task Force 72 and are home-ported in Jacksonville, Florida. Throughout their deployment, they will be conducting maritime patrol and reconnaissance and theater outreach operations within the 7th Fleet area of operations.
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DF-ST-88-07272. Subject Operation/Series: SABRE THUNDER Country: Spain (ESP)
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DF-ST-87-07538. Subject Operation/Series: GALLANT EAGLE '86 Base: Southern California State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 268 Reinforced, Aviation Combat Element, Marine Rotational Force-Darwin 22, refuels in flight during a Transpacific (TRANSPAC) flight over Queensland, Australia, Sept. 13, 2022. TRANSPAC was a long-range tactical redeployment from Darwin to Hawaii with stops in Fiji, American Samoa, and Kiribati.
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Six F/A-18 Hornet aircraft of the Navy Blue Angels flight demonstration squadron pass over the aircraft carrier USS INDEPENDENCE (CV-62) during an air show staged for Fleet Week. Base: San Francisco Bay State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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A left side view of two F-16A Fighting Falcon aircraft during deployment to Kunsan Air Base, Korea. The aircraft are from the 35th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 8th Tactical Fighter Wing. The aircraft are equipped with luggage pods on the left wings and auxiliary fuel tanks. Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)
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011108-N-9849W-002. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Uss Kitty Hawk (CV 63) Scene Major Command Shown: USS Kitty Hawk
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DF-ST-86-12308. State: Washington (WA) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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An F-15C Eagle flies near a row of parked F-15C Eagles at Muniz Air National Guard Base in Carolina, Puerto Rico in support of North American Aerospace Defense Commands (NORAD) Operation Noble Defender (OND), 29 June, 2022. As a part of OND, which is a recurring operation, the Continental U.S. NORAD Region (CONR) coordinated and conducted joint operations with the U.S. Navy while concurrently launching jets from different locations across the United States' gulf coast and Puerto Rico. OND, is an integrated air and missile defense operation designed to ensure the defense and security of the northern and southern approaches to North America. This particular OND allowed NORAD units to exercise maneuvers designed to defend the southern approach to the United States from simulated cruise missile threats. NORAD is a bi-national Canadian and American command that employs a network of aerial, ground-based, and space-based sensors, air-to-air refueling tankers, and fighter aircraft controlled b
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Military Jets Fixed Wing Boeing Aviat Airplanes F-15C Eagle air superiority fighter sky USAF U.S. Air Force winter
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A Pilatus PC-9 aircraft, center foreground, and an Army T-28B Tojan aircraft, bottom, fly beside a C-5A Galaxy aircraft into a turn during a flight out of Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina. The Swiss-made PC-9 is being evaluated by a US Army test board. State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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Aerial view of a KC-130 aircraft refueling two CH-53 helicopters
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F-15A on display at Otis Air National Guard Base. Dedicated to retired Brig. Gen. Anthony 'Kimo' Schiavi.
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F/A-18 from the Swiss Air Force taking off.
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An alien UFO flying low over an American airbase.
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DF-SC-88-02390. Country: Unknown
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A U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet pilot with Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 105, Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia, prepares to taxi for a sortie during Weapons System Evaluation Program East-22.08 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, May 13, 2022. WSEPs are formal, two-week evaluation exercises designed to test a squadrons capabilities to conduct live-fire weapons systems during air-to-air combat training missions.
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A CV-22 Osprey assigned to the 21st Special Operations Squadron flies over Lake Ogawara during helocast training at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Aug. 10, 2022. Lake Ogawara is utilized due to the ability to simulate an open fresh water environment aircrews may encounter downrange.
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DN-SC-04-10895. State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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F4U Corsairs about to attack a Japanese cargo ship during World War II.
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May 9, 2007 - E-2C Hawkeyes perform a formation flight in front of Mount Fuji, Japan.
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DF-ST-86-06883. Subject Operation/Series: HARVEST COCONUT Country: Unknown
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DF-SC-89-11128. Base: Unknown
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An American B-17 Flying Fortress is set ablaze by a German Interceptor Fighter Plane
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Col. Shane Finison, commander of the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade, flies an AH-64E Apache helicopter near Mount Rainier, Wash. on Jul. 11, 2022. This was the final flight for Col. Finison as the brigade commander.
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A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor and an E-3 Sentry are staged for a static display during the 3rd Wing change of command ceremony at Hangar 2 on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, July 15, 2022. U.S. Air Force Col. Travolis A. Simmons turned over command to Col. Kevin M. Jamieson as Lt. Gen. David A. Krumm, commander Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Region, Alaskan Command, and 11th Air Force, officiated before gathered family members, distinguished guests and military personnel.
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An F-16 Fighting Falcon, assigned to the 149th Fighter Wing, flies with a P-51 Mustang over San Antonio, Texas for the Air Force's 75th Anniversary on Sept. 10, 2022. To honor the anniversary the 149th FW conducted a joint flight with a P-51 which was the second model aircraft to be used at the unit.
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Artwork: "Operation Ice Capades" Artist: Kristin Hill, US Air Force Art Collection. Country: Unknown
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AN air-to-air right side view of four F-4E Phantom II aircraft flying in formation during exercise PROUD PHANTOM. The 347th Tactical Fighter Wind and Egyptian air force aircraft are flying past the pyramids. Subject Operation/Series: PROUD PHANTOM Base: Cairo West Country: Egypt (EGY)
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USAF B-1 B-52 AND B-2 BOMBERS WITH AMERICAN FLAG IN BACKGROUND AIR FORCE UNTED STATES DEFENSE DEFENSIVE WEAPONS
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040916-F-6995W-001. Base: Whiteman Air Force Base State: Missouri (MO) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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020514-F-0193C-022. Country: Unknown
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Radar steered medium range air to air rocket AMRAAM AIM-120, Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile
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August 14, 2006 - A KC-135 Stratotanker refuels an F/A-18 Hornet from the Navy's Blue Angels on its way from an air show at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska.
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The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron Thunderbirds perform during the Arctic Thunder Open House at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, July 30, 2022. The Thunderbirds have the honor of representing nearly 700,000 active duty, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, and civilian Airmen across America and deployed around the world.
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A CV-22 Osprey from the 8th Special Operations Squadron refuels from a MC-130J Commando II, 15th Special Operations Squadron, over the Emerald Coast during Operation Centennial Contact, June 27, 2023, commemorating 100 years of aerial refueling. Air Force Special Operations Commands modified C-130s, from the HC-130P/N Combat King to the MC-130J Commando II, have been an integral component to refueling special operations aircraft since 1990, a vital capability that extends the range, flexibility, and lethality of the Air Force.
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F-5E Tiger II from the Swiss Air Force taking off.
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An air-to-air right side view of two F-15A Eagle aircraft from the 199th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Hawaii Air National Guard, climbing skyward on a training mission. Base: Hickam Air Force Base State: Hawaii (HI) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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Fireworks explode behind a C-130 Hercules during Celebrate America, July 2, 2015, at Yokota Air Base, Japan. Celebrate America is an annual event that provides military members and their families the opportunity to enjoy games, food and bands before culminating in a fireworks display to celebrate Independence Day.
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An air-to-air view of a German RF-4 Phantom II aircraft and two F-15 Eagle aircraft in flight during Exercise Reforger-Crested Cap II. Subject Operation/Series: REFORGER CRESTED CAP II Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)
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DF-SC-86-04905. Country: Unknown
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A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242 flies in formation during exercise Pitch Black 22 near Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Australia, Aug. 25, 2022. Exercise Pitch Black is the Royal Australian Air Forces largest and most complex Large Force Employment exercise. Pitch Black 2022 is being conducted at RAAF Bases Darwin, Tindal, and Amberley from 19 August to 8 September 2022. This Years exercise will host up to 2500 personnel and around 100 aircraft from 17 participating nations from around the globe.Activities such as Exercise Pitch Black recognize Australias strong relationships and the high value we place on regional security and fostering closer ties throughout the Indo-Pacific region.Exercise Pitch Black features a range of realistic, simulated threats which can be found in a modern battle-space environment and is an opportunity to test and improve our force integration utilizing one of the largest training air space areas
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060803-F-0000X-009. Base: Saint Louis State: Missouri (MO) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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011016-F-4067P-001. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Ramstein Air Base State: Rheinland-Pfalz Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU) Scene Major Command Shown: JOINT SERVICES
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A right side view of two F-15 Eagle aircraft, from the 36th Tactical Fighter Wing, in flight over Eiffel Province. Country: Federal Republic Of Germany (FRG)