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5th Air Force

U.S., Japan Conduct Aerial Integration Exercise

U.S. Air Force Senior Airmen Dominic Fontenot, 909th Air Refueling Squadron avionics journeyman and Colby Mall, 909th ARS aerospace propulsion journeyman, sit under a KC-135 Stratotanker before a refueling mission at Kadena Air Base, August 30, 2023. The 909th ARS flew in support of a bilateral bomber exercise with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force over the Sea of Japan, demonstrating the enduring deterrence options readily available to the U.S.-Japan Alliance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Dwane Young)

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U.S., Japan Conduct Aerial Integration Exercise

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Christian Lawhorn and Airman First Class Brennan Rodriguez, 909th Air Refueling Squadron boom operators, secure overwing emergency exit hatches before a refueling mission at Kadena Air Base, Aug. 30, 2023. The 909th ARS flew in support of a bilateral bomber exercise with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force over the Sea of Japan, demonstrating the enduring deterrence options readily available to the U.S.-Japan Alliance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Dwane Young)

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U.S., Japan Conduct Aerial Integration Exercise

U.S. Air Force Capt. Andrew Sanchez, 909th Air Refueling Squadron pilot, makes flight adjustments to a KC-135 Stratotanker during an aerial refueling mission over the Sea of Japan, Aug. 30, 2023. The KC-135 provided refueling capabilities to U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer bombers flying in support of bilateral bomber exercise with Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-2 fighters, reinforcing the U.S. and Japan’s commitment to a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Dwane Young)

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U.S., Japan Conduct Aerial Integration Exercise

A B-1B Lancer assigned to the 28th Bomb Wing, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, approaches a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron to receive fuel over the Sea of Japan, August 30, 2023. Two B-1B Lancer bombers integrated with Japan Air Self-Defense Force, exemplifying our alliance's ability to quickly and decisively respond to threats against Japan and the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Dwane Young)

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U.S., Japan Conduct Aerial Integration Exercise

A B-1B Lancer assigned to the 28th Bomb Wing, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, approaches a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron to receive fuel over the Sea of Japan, Aug. 30, 2023. Two B-1B Lancers integrated with Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-2 fighters during a bilateral bomber exercise, demonstrating our steadfast commitment to the stability and security throughout the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Dwane Young)

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U.S., Japan Conduct Aerial Integration Exercise

A B-1B Lancer from the 28th Bomb Wing, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron over the Sea of Japan, Aug. 30, 2023. Two B-1B Lancer bombers integrated with Japan Air Self-Defense Force, exemplifying our alliance's ability to quickly and decisively respond to threats against Japan and the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Dwane Young)

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U.S., Japan Conduct Aerial Integration Exercise

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Travis Epp, 909th Air Refueling Squadron pilot, communicates to boom operators during an aerial refueling mission in a KC-135 Stratotanker over the Sea of Japan, August 30, 2023. The 909th ARS provided support to U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer bombers traveling from the U.S. mainland to integrate with Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-2 fighters, exemplifying the U.S.’s ability to quickly and decisively respond to threats against Japan and the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Dwane Young)

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U.S., Japan Conduct Aerial Integration Exercise

A B-1B Lancer from the 28th Bomb Wing, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron over the Sea of Japan, August 30, 2023. Bomber missions to the Indo-Pacific region deter aggression by demonstrating U.S. Air Forces’ ability to operate anytime and anywhere in the world in support of U.S. Allies and partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Dwane Young)

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U.S., Japan Conduct Aerial Integration Exercise

A B-1B Lancer from the 28th Bomb Wing, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron over the Sea of Japan, August 30, 2023. This CONUS-to-CONUS mission was flown in support of a bilateral bomber exercise over the Sea of Japan with Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-2 fighters to demonstrate the enduring deterrence options readily available to the U.S.-Japan Alliance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Dwane Young)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
U.S., Japan Conduct Aerial Integration Exercise

A B-1B Lancer from the 28th Bomb Wing, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron over the Sea of Japan, August 30, 2023. Two B-1B Lancers traveled across the globe to conduct a bilateral bomber exercise over the Sea of Japan with Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-2 fighters, reinforcing the U.S. and Japan’s commitment to a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Dwane Young)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
U.S., Japan Conduct Aerial Integration Exercise

A B-1B Lancer from the 28th Bomb Wing, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron over the Sea of Japan, Aug. 30, 2023. Two B-1B Lancers integrated with Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-2 fighters during a bilateral bomber exercise, demonstrating our steadfast commitment to the stability and security throughout the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Dwane Young)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
U.S., Japan Conduct Aerial Integration Exercise

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Travis Epp and Capt. Andrew Sanchez, 909th Air Refueling Squadron pilots, prepare to land a KC-135 Stratotanker at Kadena Air Base, Japan, August 30, 2023. The 909th ARS provided support to U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer bombers traveling across the globe to integrate with Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-2 fighters, exemplifying the U.S.’s ability to quickly and decisively respond to threats against Japan and the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Dwane Young)

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U.S., Japan conduct aerial integration exercise

Published Aug. 31, 2023
By Staff Sgt. Dwane R. Young
18th Wing Public Affairs

Kadena Air Base, Japan. -- U.S. Air Force Senior Airmen Dominic Fontenot, 909th Air Refueling Squadron avionics journeyman and Colby Mall, 909th ARS aerospace propulsion journeyman, sit under a KC-135 Stratotanker before a refueling mission at Kadena Air Base, August 30, 2023. The 909th ARS flew in support of a bilateral bomber exercise with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force over the Sea of Japan, demonstrating the enduring deterrence options readily available to the U.S.-Japan Alliance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Dwane Young)

U.S., Japan Conduct Aerial Integration Exercise

U.S., Japan Conduct Aerial Integration Exercise

U.S., Japan Conduct Aerial Integration Exercise

U.S., Japan Conduct Aerial Integration Exercise

U.S., Japan Conduct Aerial Integration Exercise

U.S., Japan Conduct Aerial Integration Exercise

U.S., Japan Conduct Aerial Integration Exercise

U.S., Japan Conduct Aerial Integration Exercise

U.S., Japan Conduct Aerial Integration Exercise

U.S., Japan Conduct Aerial Integration Exercise

U.S., Japan Conduct Aerial Integration Exercise

U.S., Japan Conduct Aerial Integration Exercise