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5th Air Force

F-35s dominate Pacific skies

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron review KC-135 Stratotanker maintenance records prior to take off at Kadena Air Base, Japan, May 23, 2023. Refueling missions extend the breadth of U.S. aerial capabilities throughout the Indo-Pacific, demonstrating the multi-domain benefit of critical deterrence missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Yosselin Campos)

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F-35s dominate Pacific skies

Airman 1st Class Steven Marshall, left, 718th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, and U.S. Air Force Maj. Myles Berthold, 909th Air Refueling Squadron pilot, conduct preflight checks on a KC-135 Stratotanker at Kadena Air Base, Japan, May 23, 2023. In service for over 40 years, the KC-135 Stratotanker provides long-range aerial refueling support for the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and allied aircraft, and has the capacity to offload 6,500 pounds of fuel per minute. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Yosselin Campos)

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F-35s dominate Pacific skies

Airman 1st Class Lahjahniek Ramdene, 909th Air Refueling Squadron boom operator, prepares to perform in-flight refueling over the Pacific Ocean, May 23, 2023. Refueling missions extend the breadth of U.S. aerial capabilities throughout the Indo-Pacific demonstrating the multi-domain benefit of critical deterrence missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Yosselin Campos)

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F-35s dominate Pacific skies

A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 355th Fighter Squadron, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, approaches a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan, to receive fuel over the Pacific Ocean, May 23, 2023. The F-35As are currently deployed to Kadena conducting integrated operations with joint partners and allies to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Yosselin Campos)

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F-35s dominate Pacific skies

A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 355th Fighter Squadron, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan, over the Pacific Ocean, May 23, 2023. Refueling missions extend the breadth of U.S. aerial capabilities throughout the Indo-Pacific, demonstrating the multi-domain benefit of critical deterrence missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Yosselin Campos)

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F-35s dominate Pacific skies

A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II pilot assigned to the 355th Fighter Squadron, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, receives fuel in-flight from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan, over the Pacific Ocean, May 23, 2023. The F-35As are currently deployed to Kadena conducting integrated operations with joint partners and allies to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Yosselin Campos)

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F-35s dominate Pacific skies

U.S. Air Force Maj. Myles Berthold, left, and U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Thomas Reay, 909th Air Refueling Squadron pilots, fly a KC-135 Stratotanker over the Pacific Ocean, May 23, 2023. Refueling missions extend the breadth of U.S. aerial capabilities throughout the Indo-Pacific, demonstrating the multi-domain benefit of critical deterrence missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Yosselin Campos)

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F-35s dominate Pacific skies

U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs assigned to the 355th Fighter Squadron, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, fly alongside a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan, over the Pacific Ocean, May 23, 2023. The U.S. is committed to denying adversarial aggression through strategic airpower aimed to deter and dominate aggressors in any airspace. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Yosselin Campos)

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F-35s dominate Pacific skies

Airman 1st Class Lahjahniek Ramdene, 909th Air Refueling Squadron boom operator, refuels a U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 355th Fighter Squadron, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, over the Pacific Ocean, May 23, 2023. Pacific Air Forces utilize various aircraft to maintain a flexible theater posture to enhance its ability to provide the Department of Defense options to support our allies and partners in a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Yosselin Campos)

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F-35s dominate Pacific skies

A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 355th Fighter Squadron, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, flies alongside a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan, over the Pacific Ocean, May 23, 2023. Pacific Air Forces utilize various aircraft to maintain a flexible theater posture to enhance its ability to provide the Department of Defense options to support our allies and partners in a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Yosselin Campos)

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F-35s dominate Pacific skies

A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 355th Fighter Squadron, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, flies alongside a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan, over the Pacific Ocean, May 23, 2023. The U.S. is committed to providing safety and security for its allies throughout the Indo-Pacific through unwavering and unmatched aerial denial and deterrence capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Yosselin Campos)

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F-35s dominate Pacific skies

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Junior Frederic, 718th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, oversees KC-135 Stratotanker post-flight inspections at Kadena Air Base, Japan, May 23, 2023. In service for over 40 years, the KC-135 Stratotanker provides long-range aerial refueling support for the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and allied aircraft, and has the capacity to offload 6,500 pounds of fuel per minute. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Yosselin Campos)

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F-35s dominate Pacific skies

Published May 26, 2023
By Senior Airman Yosselin Campos
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --