KADENA AIR BASE, OKINAWA, JP – A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron carried out aerial refueling operations with B-1B Lancers from the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Wing, along with an F-35 Lightning II from the 4th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, on October 27, 2025.

The aircraft involved are deployed to Kadena Air Base and operated over the Pacific Ocean during the mission.

Aerial refueling capabilities extend airborne training time and expand the combat radius of these aircraft.

This ensures that U.S. and allied nation aircraft remain postured to maintain regional peace and stability within the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download