RED FLAG exercises combat readiness

ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- A 168th Air Refueling Wing KC-135 extends their refueling boom to an 517th Airlift Squadron C-17 during a RED FLAG-Alaska exercise mission June 12. RED FLAG-Alaska 08-3 has participants for the Japan Air Self Defense Force and the Republic of Korea air force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class David Carbajal)

Alaska ANG support key to Northern Edge success

Two F-22 Raptors from the 3rd Wing at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, fly beside a KC-135 Stratotanker May 8 prior to refueling. The aircraft are part of the more than 120 participating in Northern Edge 2008, the largest military training exercise in Alaska. Aircrews train in counter-air, close-air-support and air-interdiction missions. An Alaska Air National Guard KC-135 from Eielson Air Force Base's 168th Air Refueling Wing, delivered the fuel during the mission. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Mikal Canfield)

Alaska ANG KC-135s provide edge anytime, anywhere

An F-22 Raptor from the 3rd Wing at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, rejoins the fight after refueling during Northern Edge 2008 May 8. Twelve Elmendorf AFB F-22s were part of the more than 120 aircraft participating in the largest military training exercise in Alaska. An Alaska Air National Guard KC-135 Stratotanker from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska's, 168th Air Refueling Wing delivered the fuel during the refueling mission. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Mikal Canfield)

Alaska ANG KC-135s provide edge anytime, anywhere

Three F-15 Eagles from the 18th Wing at Kadena Air Base, Japan, fly beside a KC-135 Stratotanker after refueling May 8 over Alaska. The aircraft are part of the more than 120 participating in Northern Edge 2008, the largest military training exercise in Alaska. Aircrews train in counter-air, close-air-support and air-interdiction missions. An Alaska Air National Guard KC-135, from Eielson Air Force Base's 168th Air Refueling Wing delivered the fuel during the mission. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Mikal Canfield)

Aerial pit stop

OVER ALASKA -- A KC-135 Stratotanker from the Alaska Air National Guard 168th Air Refueling Wing waits as two F-22 Raptors from the 90th Fighter Squadron at Elmendorf Air Force Base fly in for refueling. With the KC-135's mission of air refueling, the F-22 capabilities can accomplish its mission of global engagement. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan Steffen)

Aerial pit stop

OVER ALASKA -- A KC-135 Stratotanker from the Alaska Air National Guard 168th Air Refueling Wing refuels an F-22 Raptor from the 90th Fighter Squadron at Elmendorf Air Force Base. With the KC-135's mission of air refueling, the F-22 capabilities can accomplish its mission of global engagement. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan Steffen)

Alaska State Adjutant General visits the FOL

Maj. Gen. Craig Campbell, Alaska State Adjutant General, stands with Lt. Col. Robert Leonard, 478th Expeditionary Operations Squadron commander, and Lt. Col. Mark Dewey, 168th Air Refueling Wing detachment commander, after he arrived at Forward Operating Location Manta, Ecuador. Maj. Gen. Campbell visited the Airmen of the FOL, as well as the Airmen of the 168th ARW who are currently deployed here. (U.S. Air Force photo/1st Lt. Malinda Singleton)

Phone Home

EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska--Airman 1st Class Nikiynecole Felder, 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs graphic artist, donates an old phone to the Cell Phones for Soldiers program, Sept. 4 at the 168th Air Refueling Wing Headquarter's building. Cell Phones for Soldiers recycles old and unwanted cell phones for cash. The cash is used to buy pre-paid calling cards which are then distributed to U.S. troops. The charity has already distributed thousands of calling cards to deployed servicemembers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Nora Anton)

Final flight for fighters

A KC-135 Stratotanker with the Alaska Air National Guard's 168th Air Refueling Wing flies with two F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 18th Fighter Squadron and two A-10 Thunderbolt IIs from the 355th Fighter Squadron May 29 over Alaska. The five aircraft assigned to Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, flew in formation for the last time due to the deactivation of the 18th and 355th Fighter Squadrons. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Rob Wieland)

Final flight for fighters

A KC-135 Stratotanker from the Alaska Air National Guard's 168th Air Refueling Wing flies in formation with two F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 18th Fighter Squadron May 29 over Alaska. The three aircraft assigned to Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, flew in formation for the last time due to the deactivation of the 18th and 355th Fighter Squadrons. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Rob Wieland)

Final flight for fighters

A KC-135 Stratotanker with the Alaska Air National Guard's 168th Air Refueling Wing flies with two F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 18th Fighter Squadron and two A-10 Thunderbolt IIs from the 355th Fighter Squadron May 29 over Alaska. The five aircraft assigned to Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, flew in formation for the last time due to the deactivation of the 18th and 355th Fighter Squadrons. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Rob Wieland)

Tanker task force keeps Red Flag flying

A KC-135R Stratotanker flies in formation with two F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 18th Fighter Squadron and two A-10 Wathog IIs from the 355th FS May 29 near Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. The five aircraft assigned to Eielson AFB flew in formation for the last time due to the deactivation of the 355th FS and the 18th FS. The tanker is assigned to the Alaska Air National Guard's 168th Air Refueling Wing. The KC-135R along with tankers from Grand Forks AFB, N.D., and MacDill AFB, Fla., are providing air refueling support to aircraft for the joint exercise Red Flag-Alaska, lasting through June 8. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Rob Wieland)