A KC-135 Stratotanker, 909th Air Refueling Squadron from, Kadena Air Base, Japan, performs aerial refueling to multiple aircraft during the third iteration of Exercise WestPac Rumrunner, Oct. 16, 2020.

Aerial refueling magnifies the reach of military assets and ensures forward-deployed forces in the Indo-Pacific are ready to protect and defend partners, allies and U.S. interests at a moment’s notice. This exercise tested the 18th Wing’s ability to project air power across a vast distance and defend different aircraft performing multiple mission sets.