Misawa, Japan – A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron took off and refueled F-35A Lightning IIs over the Pacific Ocean during Exercise Bushido Guardian 2025 near Misawa Air Base on Sept. 30, 2025.

The flight highlighted the 35th Fighter Wing’s role as a forward hub for airpower projection in the region.

The mission aimed to demonstrate the U.S. commitment to sustaining advanced air operations that deter aggression and protect a free and open Indo-Pacific.

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