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Refueling the Spirit

  • Published
  • By Capt. Zach Anderson
  • 931st Air Refueling Group Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  A B-2 Spirit assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing, Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., closes in on the refueling boom of a KC-135 Stratotanker from McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., during an air refueling training mission, July 15, 2013. The KC-135 was being operated by an aircrew from the Air Force Reserve 18th Air Refueling Squadron, 931st Air Refueling Group, at McConnell. 

Citizen Airmen from the 931st routinely conduct air refueling training missions in order to maintain proficiency in air refueling operations.  Air refueling acts as a force extender and a force multiplier, and allows the Air Force to project its reach around the globe.

The KC-135 Stratotanker provides the core aerial refueling capability for the United States Air Force and has excelled in this role for more than 50 years.