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5th Air Force

Raptors refuel over South China Sea

An F-22A Raptor assigned to the 525th Fighter Squadron approaches a KC-135 Stratotanker to receive aerial refueling over the South China Sea, March 14, 2023, in support of a bilateral training mission with the Philippine Air Force. Bilateral training and cooperation with our Philippine Air Force counterparts enhances the mutual readiness required to defend security, prosperity, and peace throughout the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jessi Roth)

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Raptors refuel over South China Sea

F-22A Raptors assigned to the 525th Fighter Squadron fly behind a KC-135 Stratotanker over the South China Sea, March 13, 2023. The Raptors flew to Clark Air Base, Philippines, where they integrated with FA-50PH pilots from the Philippine Air Force’s 5th Fighter Wing to exchange expertise and engage in aerial training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jessi Roth)

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Raptors refuel over South China Sea

An F-22A Raptor assigned to the 525th Fighter Squadron receives aerial refueling from a KC-135 Stratotanker over the South China Sea, March 14, 2023, in support of a bilateral training mission with the Philippine Air Force. Enhancing interoperability between the U.S. and Philippine air forces contributes to the long-term advancement of our nations’ shared interest in maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jessi Roth)

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Raptors refuel over South China Sea

An F-22A Raptor assigned to the 525th Fighter Squadron departs after aerial refueling over the South China Sea, March 14, 2023, in support of a bilateral training mission with the Philippine Air Force. Bilateral training and cooperation with our Philippine Air Force counterparts enhances the mutual readiness required to defend security, prosperity, and peace throughout the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jessi Roth)

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Raptors refuel over South China Sea

Master Sgt. Michael Weidman, 909th Air Refueling Squadron boom operator, delivers fuel to an F-22A Raptor during a return flight from Clark Air Base, Philippines, March 14, 2023, in support of a bilateral training mission with the Philippine Air Force. Bilateral training and cooperation with our Philippine Air Force counterparts enhances the mutual readiness required to defend security, prosperity, and peace throughout the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jessi Roth)

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Raptors refuel over South China Sea

An F-22A Raptor assigned to the 525th Fighter Squadron makes contact with a KC-135 Stratotanker over the South China Sea, March 14, 2023, in support of a bilateral training mission with the Philippine Air Force. Enhancing interoperability between the U.S. and Philippine air forces contributes to the long-term advancement of our nations’ shared interest in maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jessi Roth)

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Raptors refuel over South China Sea

An F-22A Raptor assigned to the 525th Fighter Squadron flies approaches a KC-135 Stratotanker to receive aerial refueling over the South China Sea, March 14, 2023, in support of a bilateral training mission with the Philippine Air Force. Bilateral training and cooperation with our Philippine Air Force counterparts enhances the mutual readiness required to defend security, prosperity, and peace throughout the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jessi Roth)

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Raptors refuel over South China Sea

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Randy Siri, 3rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, conducts pre-flight checks on an F-22A Raptor prior to a bilateral training flight out of Clark Air Base, Philippines, March 14, 2023. By strengthening partnerships through bilateral engagements with key Allies like the Philippines, PACAF enhances a networked security architecture capable of deterring common threats, protecting shared resources and upholding sovereignty throughout the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jessi Roth)

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Raptors refuel over South China Sea

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Randy Siri, 3rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, conducts pre-flight checks on an F-22A Raptor prior to a bilateral training flight out of Clark Air Base, Philippines, March 14, 2023. Enhancing interoperability between the U.S. and Philippine air forces contributes to the long-term advancement of our nations’ shared interest in maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jessi Roth)

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Raptors refuel over South China Sea

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Randy Siri, 3rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, prepares to marshal an F-22A Raptor onto the flightline at Clark Air Base, Philippines, March 14, 2023. Enhancing interoperability between the U.S. and Philippine air forces contributes to the long-term advancement of our nations’ shared interest in maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jessi Roth)

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Raptors refuel over South China Sea

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Randy Siri, 3rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, conducts pre-flight checks of an F-22A Raptor prior to a bilateral training flight out of Clark Air Base, Philippines, March 14, 2023. By strengthening partnerships through bilateral engagements with key Allies like the Philippines, PACAF enhances a networked security architecture capable of deterring common threats, protecting shared resources and upholding sovereignty throughout the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jessi Roth)

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Raptors refuel over South China Sea

U.S. Air Force Capt. Karl Schroeder, 525th Fighter Squadron F-22A Raptor pilot, prepares to depart for a bilateral training flight out of Clark Air Base, Philippines, March 14, 2023. Bilateral training and cooperation with our Philippine Air Force counterparts enhances the mutual readiness required to defend security, prosperity, and peace throughout the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jessi Roth)

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Raptors refuel over South China Sea

An F-22A Raptor assigned to the 525th Fighter Squadron flies alongside a KC-135 Stratotanker over the South China Sea, March 13, 2023, in support of a subject matter expert exchange and bilateral training mission with the Philippine Air Force. Bilateral training and cooperation with our Philippine Air Force counterparts enhances the mutual readiness required to defend security, prosperity, and peace throughout the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jessi Roth)

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Raptors refuel over South China Sea

U.S. Air Force Capt. Justin Berndt, 909th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker pilot, conducts pre-flight checks prior to departure from Kadena Air Base, Japan, March 13, 2023 in support of a subject matter expert exchange and bilateral training mission with the Philippine Air Force. Enhancing interoperability between the U.S. and Philippine air forces contributes to the long-term advancement of our nations’ shared interest in maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jessi Roth)

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Raptors refuel over South China Sea

An F-22A Raptor assigned to the 525th Fighter Squadron flies approaches a KC-135 Stratotanker to receive aerial refueling over the South China Sea, March 13, 2023 in support of a subject matter expert exchange and bilateral training mission with the Philippine Air Force. By strengthening partnerships through bilateral engagements with key Allies like the Philippines, PACAF enhances a networked security architecture capable of deterring common threats, protecting shared resources and upholding sovereignty throughout the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jessi Roth)

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Raptors refuel over South China Sea

Published March 16, 2023
By Senior Airman Jessi Roth
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --