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5th Air Force

The 909th ARS supports Korea over the Pacific

A Republic of Korea Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon flies behind the tail of a 909th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker over the Pacific Ocean, Oct. 14, 2022. Working on missions with Allies helps the USAF and ROKAF maintain the free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cesar J. Navarro)

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The 909th ARS supports Korea over the Pacific

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Chance, right, a 909th Air Refueling Squadron boom operator instructor, advises Tech. Sgt. Jayson Swift, a newer 909th ARS boom operator, while flying over the Pacific Ocean, Oct. 14, 2022. Boom operators refuel aircraft from the boom pod while in flight, communicating simultaneously with the aircraft they are refueling and their own pilots. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cesar J. Navarro)

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The 909th ARS supports Korea over the Pacific

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Chance, 909th Air Refueling Squadron boom operator instructor, walks across the cargo hold on a KC-135 Stratotanker at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 14, 2022. Boom operators ensure the boom and cargo hold areas are prepped and ready while the pilots do their preparations in the cockpit prior to the flight. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cesar J. Navarro)

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The 909th ARS supports Korea over the Pacific

A Republic of Korea Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon flies alongside a 909th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker over the Pacific Ocean, Oct. 14, 2022. Flying together during aerial missions allows the U.S. and RoK to practice maneuvers in real time in preparation for defending the Indian-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cesar J. Navarro)

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The 909th ARS supports Korea over the Pacific

U.S. Air Force Capt. Shelby Clark, a 909th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker pilot, conducts pre-flight checks in the cockpit of a KC-135 at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 14, 2022. Making sure the settings and readings on the dashboards are correct ensures the safety of the crew and the aircraft, allowing for pilots to prevent aerial mishaps before taking off. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cesar J. Navarro)

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The 909th ARS supports Korea over the Pacific

A 349th Air Refueling Squadron KC-46A Pegasus flies over the Pacific Ocean, Oct. 14, 2022. The 349th ARS aircraft flew with a Kadena Air Base KC-135 Stratotanker and MC-130J Air Commando IIs, practicing communication and refueling over the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cesar J. Navarro)

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The 909th ARS supports Korea over the Pacific

U.S. Air Force Maj. Myles Berthold, left, and U.S. Air Force Capt. Shelby Clark, right, 909th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker pilots, inspect a KC-135 tail at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 14, 2022. Pilots are required to look over the aircraft’s exterior before getting into the cockpit and starting the engines. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cesar J. Navarro)

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The 909th ARS supports Korea over the Pacific

U.S. Air Force Capt. Shelby Clark, a 909th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker pilot, watches a 349th ARS KC-46A Pegasus taxi onto the runway at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 14, 2022. The 349th ARS ran missions and exchanged knowledge with members of Kadena Air Base during their two-day stay at the base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cesar J. Navarro)

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The 909th ARS supports Korea over the Pacific

A 909th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker is parked during pre-flight checks at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 14, 2022. Pre-flight checks and preparation of the aircraft by members of the 909th ARS and 909th Aircraft Maintenance Unit ensure a safe and efficient flight. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cesar J. Navarro)

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The 909th ARS supports Korea over the Pacific

Republic of Korea F-16s fly alongside a 909th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker over the Pacific Ocean, Oct. 14, 2022. Working and running through potential scenarios together allows the USAF and ROKAF to have cohesive plans and understandings in place to defend against all adversaries. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cesar J. Navarro)

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The 909th ARS supports Korea over the Pacific

U.S. Air Force Capt. Shelby Clark, a 909th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker pilot, watches a 349th ARS KC-46A Pegasus taxi onto the runway at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 14, 2022. The 349th ARS practiced hot-pit refueling as well as other Agile Combat Employment capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cesar J. Navarro)

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The 909th ARS supports Korea over the Pacific

U.S. Airmen from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron sync up before their flight on a KC-135 Stratotanker at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 14, 2022. Communicating the crew’s roles and mission goals before the flight is pivotal to the execution of any refueling mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cesar J. Navarro)

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The 909th ARS supports Korea over the Pacific

A 909th Air Refueling Squadron crew stand in front of a KC-135 Stratotanker as they prepare for takeoff at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 14, 2022. Pre-flight checks and preparation of the aircraft by members of the 909th ARS and 909th Aircraft Maintenance Unit ensure a safe and efficient flight. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cesar J. Navarro)

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The 909th ARS supports Korea over the Pacific

Published Oct. 26, 2022
By Senior Airman Cesar J. Navarro
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --