New tanker to bring increased capabilities to warfighter

A KC-135 Stratotanker undergoes an isochronal inspection at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England. The inspection begins with all access panels being removed to check flight controls. Air Force officials announced the selection of the Northrop Grumman company to replace the aging KC-135 and to produce up to 179 of the new air refuelers. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Franklin J. Perkins)

The thunder rolls

ROYAL AIR FORCE MILDENHALL, England -- An A-10 Thunderbolt II rolls to mark a target with simulated M-156 white phosphorus rockets as part of an aerial demonstration held here. The demonstration was for visiting U.S. civic, business, and industry leaders on the 2003 Joint Civilian Orientation Course. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael D. Morford)

Thirsty Pave Low

OVER SOUTH AFRICA -- An MH-53M Pave Low IV helicopter from the 21st Special Operations Squadron, refuels from an MC-130P Combat Shadow from the 67th Special Operations Squadron. Both Squadrons are from Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, and deployed to Air Force Base Hoedspruit, South Africa, to support Operation Atlas Response. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Cary Humphries)

Atlas Response

FILE PHOTO -- An MH-53M Pave Low IV helicopter assigned to the 21st Special Operations Squadron, Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, flies over flooded Central Mozambique near the town of Chibuto as it refuels from an MC-130P "Shadow" from the 67th Special Operations Squadron, RAF Mildenhall. The MH-53M Pave Lows are operating from Air Force Base Hoedspruit in South Africa, where they are deployed in support of Operation Atlas Response. Operation Atlas Response is a multi-national humanitarian relief mission helping displaced people in Central and Southern Mozambique that have been devastated by recent floods. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Cary Humphries)