By Airman 1st Class Kevin Tanenbaum, 99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs / Published July 29, 2016
Capt. Casey Shotwell, 349th Air Refueling Squadron, McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., pilot, preforms pre-flight on a KC-135 Stratotanker during Red Flag 16-3 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., July 21, 2016. Red Flag provides a series of intense air-to-air scenarios for aircrew and ground personnel which will increase their combat readiness and effectiveness for future real world missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kevin Tanenbaum)
The engine throttle of a KC-135 Stratotanker sits while the aircrew prepares for take-off July 21, 2016 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Red Flag provides an opportunity for aircrew and military aircraft to enhance their tactical operational skills alongside military aircraft from coalition forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kevin Tanenbaum/Released)
KC-135 Stratotankers, assigned to the 22nd Air Refueling Wing, McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., and the 92nd Air Refueling Wing, Fairchild Air Force Base, WA., sit on the flightline at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. flightline prior to take-off during Red Flag 16-3, July 27, 2016. The air-to-air combat training exercise is conducted over the 2.9 million acre Nevada Test and Training Range. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kevin Tanenbaum/Released)
Senior Airman Autumn Hedrick-Cox, 349th Air Refueling Squadron, McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., boom operator, prepares the back of a KC-135 Stratotanker for take-off during Red Flag 16-3 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., July 27, 2016. Red Flag is a realistic combat training exercise involving the air, space and cyber forces of the U.S. and its allies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kevin Tanenbaum/Released)
An American flag hangs in the cockpit of a KC-135 Stratotanker, assigned to the 22nd Air Refueling Wing, McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., during Red Flag 16-3 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., July 27, 2016. Red Flag enhances aircrew’s combat readiness and survivability by challenging them with realistic combat scenarios. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kevin Tanenbaum/Released)
An F-16CJ, assigned to the 79th Fighter Squadron, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., approaches a KC-135 for refueling during Red Flag 16-3 over the Nevada Test and Training Range, July 27, 2016. Red Flag involves a variety of attack, fighter, bomber, reconnaissance, electronic warfare, airlift support, and search and rescue aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kevin Tanenbaum/Released)
An F-16CJ pilot, assigned to the 79th Fighter Squadron, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., waves at the boom operator after receiving mid-air refueling during Red Flag 16-3 over the Nevada Test and Training Range, July 27, 2016. Red Flag is a realistic combat exercise involving multiple military branches conducting training operations on the 15,000 square mile Nevada Test and Training Range. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kevin Tanenbaum/Released)
An F-22A Raptor pilot assigned to the 27th Fighter Squadron, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, holds a steady aerial refueling position beneath a KC-135 Stratotanker during a Red Flag 16-3 training sortie July 22, 2016 at Nellis AFB, Nev. Just northwest of Nellis AFB lies the 2.9 million-square-acre Nevada test and Training Range which provides a realistic arena for operational testing and training aircrews to improve combat readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joshua Kleinholz)
An F-22A Raptor assigned to the 27th Fighter Squadron, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, holds pattern and awaits a wingman conducting an aerial refuel during a Red Flag 16-3 training sortie July 22, 2016 at Nellis AFB, Nev. Various units from around the Air Force, joint branches and coalition partners converge on Nellis three to four times a year to take part in the exercise, which puts to test the participant force’s air, space, cyber and combat search and rescue capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joshua Kleinholz)
An F-22A Raptor assigned to the 27th Fighter Squadron, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, soars through the skies over the Nevada Test and Training Range during a Red Flag 16-3 training sortie July 22, 2016 at Nellis AFB, Nev. The F-22, a critical component of the Global Strike Task Force, is designed to project air dominance, rapidly and at great distances and defeat threats attempting to deny access to our nation's Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps. The F-22 cannot be matched by any known or projected fighter aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joshua Kleinholz)
An F-22A Raptor assigned to the 27th Fighter Squadron, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, banks aggressively in the skies over the Nevada Test and Training Range during a Red Flag 16-3 training sortie July 22, 2016 at Nellis AFB, Nev. Red Flag exercises bring joint and coalition air, space and cyber units together against a common adversary in order to further build tactical cohesion. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joshua Kleinholz)
An F-16CJ pilot assigned to the 79th Fighter Squadron, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., holds a steady aerial refueling position in the shadow of a KC-135 Stratotanker during a Red Flag 16-3 training sortie July 22, 2016 at Nellis AFB, Nev. Aerial refueling gives pilots and aircraft the ability to stay in the fight for longer durations, putting further pressure on the enemy and extending support for friendly forces on the ground. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joshua Kleinholz)