Guardians of the Pacific

U.S. Air Force 37th Expeditionary Bomber Squadron B-1B Lancers, assigned to Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., receive fuel from a 909th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker, assigned to Kadena Air Base, Japan, over the vicinity of the East China Sea, Sept. 18, 2017. The multi-mission B-1B is America’s premier long-range bomber, capable of carrying the largest payload of Air Force weapons against any adversary, anywhere in the world, at any time. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Peter Reft)

Guardians of the Pacific

A U.S. Air Force 37th Expeditionary Bomber Squadron B-1B Lancer, assigned to Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., receives fuel from a 909th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker, assigned to Kadena Air Base, Japan, over the vicinity of the East China Sea, Sept. 18, 2017. The Lancer serves as premier platform for America’s long-range bomber force, carrying the largest conventional payload of guided and unguided weapons in the Air Force inventory. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Peter Reft)

Guardians of the Pacific

A U.S. Air Force 37th Expeditionary Bomber Squadron B-1B Lancer, assigned to Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., conducts air-to-air refueling training with a 909th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker, assigned to Kadena Air Base, Japan, over the vicinity of the East China Sea, Sept. 18, 2017. The B-1B is a long-range, multi-role heavy bomber is capable of intercontinental flight at more than 30,000 feet, carrying a weapons payload of 75,000 lbs., and its synthetic aperture radar can track and engage moving vehicles with self-targeting and terrain-following modes. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Peter Reft)

Guardians of the Pacific

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Bruce Freed, 909th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker boom operator, spots an aircraft during approach procedures during air-to-air refueling operations over the vicinity of the East China Sea Sept. 18, 2017. The 909th ARS conducted refueling operations with 37th Expeditionary Bomber Squadron B-1B Lancers, assigned to Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D.. This type of training enhances interoperability between wings and enables stronger integration of forces protecting U.S. and allied interests throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific Theater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Peter Reft)

Guardians of the Pacific

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Bruce Freed, 909th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker boom operator, manipulates boom controls during air-to-air refueling operations over the vicinity of the East China Sea Sept. 18, 2017. The 909th ARS conducts around-the-clock joint and bilateral training in support of all air operations units dedicated to protecting the Indo-Asia Pacific Theater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Peter Reft)

Guardians of the Pacific

Published Sept. 19, 2017
By Staff Sgt. Peter Reft
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --