Refueling with a Fench flair

ISTRES, France -- A B-1B Lancer bomber is refueled over France by a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 108th Air Refueling Wing, McGuire Air Force Base, N.J., New Jersey Air National Guard. The B-1 is assigned to the Kansas Air National Guard's 184th Bomb Wing, McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. The B-1 filled its tanks for the flight home from Istres, where it was on display at the French Air Base 25's Istres Air Show May 20. The KC-135 is temporarily assigned to the 16th Expeditionary Operations Group, a small U.S. Air Force detachment located on the French base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Kenneth Fidler)

Mission complete

FILE PHOTO -- An F-16C Fighting Falcon from the 555th Fighter Squadron, Aviano Air Base, Italy, lands after flying a mission against targets in Yugoslavia on Wednesday, April 7, 1999. The mission was part of NATO Operation Allied Force. The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a compact, multirole fighter aircraft. It is highly maneuverable and has proven itself in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack. It provides a relatively low-cost, high-performance weapon system for the United States and allied nations. (U.S. Air Force photo)

New mission

1990's -- An A-10 Thunderbolt II from the 81st Fighter Squadron, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, takes off on a mission against targets in Yugoslavia, April 5, 1999. Members of the 81st Fighter Squadron are deployed to Aviano Air Base, Italy, in support of NATO Operation Allied Force. The A-10 and OA-10 Thunderbolt IIs are the first Air Force aircraft specially designed for close air support of ground forces. They are simple, effective and survivable twin-engine jet aircraft that can be used against all ground targets, including tanks and other armored vehicles. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Armed Eagle

OPERATION ALLIED FORCE -- An F-15C Eagle from the 48th Fighter Wing, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, breaks away from a 100th Air Expeditionary Wing KC-135R Stratotanker from Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England. Armed with AIM-7 Sparrow missiles on the fuselage, AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles on the inboard wing pylon, and Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles on the outboard wing pylon, the Eagles are flying Combat Air Patrol missions to maintain air superiority and protect Operation Allied Force aircraft. (U.S. Air Force Photo)

Successful return

OPERATION ALLIED FORCE -- F-15E Strike Eagles from the 494th Fighter Squadron, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, return from flying a mission against targets in Yugoslavia, March 28, 1999. Members of the 494th Fighter Squadron are deployed to Aviano Air Base, Italy, supporting Operation Allied Force. (U.S. Air Force Photo)

Buff trio

ROYAL AIR FORCE FAIRFORD, England -- Three B-52 Stratofortresses from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., taxi to the runway here. The B-52s are forward deployed to RAF Fairford to support NATO Operation Allied Force. The B-52s have been launching missiles in support of allied NATO air strikes. Air Combat Command's B-52 is a long-range, heavy bomber that can perform a variety of missions. (U.S. Air Force photo)