U.S. Department of Defense

Refueling Mission Over Afghanistan

An air crew of a U.S. Air Force KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft receives a brief on Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan before conducting a refueling mission over Afghanistan, May 28, 2008. The airmen are assigned to the 22nd Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, 376th Air Expeditionary Wing, deployed from Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash.

U.S. Air Force Capt. Loftin Graham conducts preflight checks on a KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft on Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan, May 28, 2008. Graham is assigned to the 22nd Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, 376th Air Expeditionary Wing, deployed from Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash.

U.S. Air Force Capt. Loftin Graham and 1st Lt. Gary Daugherty prepare a KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft for an engine start on Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan, May 28, 2008.

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Mike Dunlop waits for an engine start on a KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft on Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan, May 27, 2008, prior to a refueling mission over Afghanistan.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Craig Niswender prepares a KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft for a refueling mission over Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, May 28, 2008. Niswender is assigned to the 22nd Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, 376th Air Expeditionary Wing, deployed from the 93rd Air Refueling Squadron, Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Craig Niswender prepares a KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft for another refueling mission over Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, May 28, 2008.

A Royal Netherlands Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft moves into position to receive fuel from a KC-135R Stratotanker during a mission over Afghanistan May 28, 2008.

A Royal Netherlands Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft receives fuel from a KC-135R Stratotanker during a mission over Afghanistan, May 28, 2008.

An air crew of a U.S. Air Force KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft receives a brief on Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan before conducting a refueling mission over Afghanistan, May 28, 2008. The airmen are assigned to the 22nd Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, 376th Air Expeditionary Wing, deployed from Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash.
U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Andy Dunaway