McConnell captain pilots KC-135 Stratotanker for deployed refueling efforts

Capt. Brett Pierson, a pilot with the 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron at a non-disclosed base in Southwest Asia, refers to his personal computer tablet during preflight checks aboard a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft bound for a refueling mission in Afghanistan on May 8, 2011, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Captain Pierson is deployed from the 349th Air Refueling Squadron at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Master Sgt. William Greer)

Mobility Airmen support Red Flag Alaska

First Lt. Emma House, a pilot with the 126th Air Refueling Wing at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., adjusts her seatbelt before take-off in a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft April 26, 2011, at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. Lieutenant House and her crew flew an aerial refueling mission in support of Red Flag-Alaska (RF-A) 11-1. RF-A is a series of Pacific Air Forces commander-directed field training exercises for U.S. forces, providing joint offensive counter-air, interdiction, close air support, and large force employment training in a simulated combat environment. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Laura Goodgame)

Mobility Airmen support Red Flag-Alaska

Capt. Rob Akman, a pilot with 126th Air Refueling Wing, 906th Air Refueling Squadron at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., adjusts the cabin controls while conducting a pre-flight inspection in a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft during exercise Red Flag-Alaska at Eielson AFB, Alaska, on April, 26, 2011. Red Flag-Alaska is a series of Pacific Air Forces commander-directed field training exercises for U.S. forces, providing joint offensive counter-air, interdiction, close air support, and large force employment training in a simulated combat environment. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Laura Goodgame)

Mobility Airmen support Red Flag-Alaska

A KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft assigned to the 91st Air Refueling Squadron, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., takes off on a mission in support of Red Flag-Alaska (RF-A) on April 26, 2011, at Eielson AFB, Alaska. RF-A is a series of Pacific Air Forces commander-directed field training exercises for U.S. forces, providing joint offensive counter-air, interdiction, close air support, and large force employment training in a simulated combat environment. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Staff Sgt. Christopher Boitz)

Morning maintenance with 171st ARS in Michigan

A Michigan Air National Guard KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft with the 171st Air Refueling Squadron sits on the flightline at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich., on April 14, 2011, awaiting mission prep from the 191st Maintenance Squadron. (Department of Defense Photo/John S. Swanson)

Airdrop levels in deployed areas at 25 million pounds dropped for 2011

Pallets of water are dropped from a C-130 Hercules aircraft over Afghanistan on April 11, 2011. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Master Sgt. William Greer)

Air Mobility Command aircraft: KC-10 Extender

The KC-10 Extender is an Air Mobility Command advanced tanker and cargo aircraft designed to provide increased global mobility for U.S. armed forces. Although the KC-l0's primary mission is aerial refueling, it can combine the tasks of a tanker and cargo aircraft by refueling fighters and simultaneously carry the fighter support personnel and equipment on overseas deployments. The KC-10 is also capable of transporting litter and ambulatory patients using patient support pallets during aeromedical evacuations. (U.S. Air Force Photo and Art Illustration/Master Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol)

Air Mobility Command aircraft: KC-10 Extender

The KC-10 Extender is an Air Mobility Command advanced tanker and cargo aircraft designed to provide increased global mobility for U.S. armed forces. Although the KC-l0's primary mission is aerial refueling, it can combine the tasks of a tanker and cargo aircraft by refueling fighters and simultaneously carry the fighter support personnel and equipment on overseas deployments. The KC-10 is also capable of transporting litter and ambulatory patients using patient support pallets during aeromedical evacuations. (U.S. Air Force Photo Illustration/Master Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol)

Aircraft of Air Mobility Command

This photo illustration highlights some of the aircraft assigned to Air Mobility Command, which is headquartered at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. Those aircraft include airlifters like the C-130 Hercules, C-5 Galaxy and C-17 Globemaster III as well as air refueling aircraft like the KC-135 Stratotanker and the KC-10 Extender. Air Mobility Command's mission is to provide global air mobility ... right effects, right place, right time. The command also plays a crucial role in providing humanitarian support at home and around the world. AMC Airmen -- active duty, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve and civilians -- provide airlift and aerial refueling for all of America's armed forces. Many special duty and operational support aircraft and aeromedical evacuation missions are also assigned to AMC. (U.S. Air Force Photo Illustration/Master Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol)

Operation Unified Protector

110414-F-UA979-003 -- WESTERN EUROPE (April 14, 2011) ? Tech. Sgt. Brett McVay, fuels cell technician, investigates a potential fuel leak in the aft boost pump in the wing of a KC-10 Extender. Sergeant McVay is deployed with the 313th Air Expeditionary Wing from the 349th Air Mobility Wing, Travis Air Force Base, Calif., in support of Operation Unified Protector. Operation Unified Protector is a NATO-led mission in Libya, to protect civilians and civilian-populated areas under threat of attack. The 313th AEW provides aerial refueling to U.S. and coalition aircraft with KC-135 Stratotankers and KC-10s. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Ethan Morgan)

Landing gear

WESTERN EUROPE (April 5, 2011) -- Airman 1st Class Jessica Haig, deployed from the 916th Air Reserve Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., marshals in a KC-135 Stratotanker on April 5. The KC-135 returned from a refueling mission supporting Operation Unified Protector. The 313th AEW supports Operation Unified Protector, a NATO-led mission in Libya to protect civilian and civilian-populated areas under threat of attack. The 313th AEW provides Aerial Refueling to U.S. and coalition aircraft with KC-135 Stratotankers and KC-10 Extenders. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Tyler Placie)

Fix the boom

WESTERN EUROPE (April 12, 2011) -- Airmen deployed from the 171st Air Refueling Wing, Pennsylvania Air National Guard, check the ruddervator panels of a replacement boom for a KC-135 Stratotanker after attaching it to the plane in support of Operation Unified Protector. Assigned to the 313th Air Expeditionary Wing, the Airmen are supporting Operation Unified Protector, a NATO-led mission in Libya, to protect civilians and civilian-populated areas under threat of attack. The 313th AEW provides aerial refueling to U.S. and coalition aircraft with KC-135 Stratotankers and KC-10 Extenders. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Ethan Morgan)

Operation Odyssey Dawn

A U.S. Air Force KC-10A Extender aircraft assigned to the 2nd Air Refueling Squadron, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., refuels an F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet March 29, 2011, during Operation Odyssey Dawn operations near Western Europe. Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn was a U.S. Africa Command task force established to provide operational and tactical command and control of U.S. military forces supporting the international response to the unrest in Libya and enforcement of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1973. UNSCR 1973 authorized all necessary measures to protect civilians in Libya under threat of attack by forces of Col. Moammar Gadhafi's regime. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tyler Placie)

Operation Odyssey Dawn

A U.S. Air Force KC-10A Extender aircraft assigned to the 2nd Air Refueling Squadron, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., refuels an F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet March 29, 2011, during Operation Odyssey Dawn. Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn was a U.S. Africa Command task force established to provide operational and tactical command and control of U.S. military forces supporting the international response to the unrest in Libya and enforcement of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1973. UNSCR 1973 authorized all necessary measures to protect civilians in Libya under threat of attack by forces of Col. Moammar Gadhafi's regime. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tyler Placie)

Sky high refuel

OVER THE MEDITERRENEAN SEA (March 28, 2011) -- A KC-135 Stratotanker refuels a Boeing E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System in support of Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn. Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn was the U.S. Africa Command task force established to provide operational and tactical command and control of U.S. military forces supporting the international response to the unrest in Libya and enforcement of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1973. UNSCR 1973 authorizes all necessary measures to protect civilians in Libya under threat of attack by Gadhafi regime forces. JTF Odyssey Dawn was commanded by U.S. Navy Admiral Samuel J. Locklear III. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Ethan Morgan)

C-17 delivers equipment for JTF Odyssey Dawn

313th AIR EXPEDITIONARY WING (March 28, 2011) -- A 60K loader is unloaded off a C-17 Globemaster III here to be used in support of Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn. Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn was the U.S. Africa Command task force established to provide operational and tactical command and control of U.S. military forces supporting the international response to the unrest in Libya and enforcement of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1973. UNSCR 1973 authorizes all necessary measures to protect civilians in Libya under threat of attack by Gadhafi regime forces. JTF Odyssey Dawn was commanded by U.S. Navy Admiral Samuel J. Locklear III. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Ethan Morgan)

C-17 delivers equipment for JTF Odyssey Dawn

313th AIR EXPEDITIONARY WING (March 28, 2011) -- A pallet is unloaded off a C-17 Globemaster III with a 25K next generation small loader during support of Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn. Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn was the U.S. Africa Command task force established to provide operational and tactical command and control of U.S. military forces supporting the international response to the unrest in Libya and enforcement of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1973. UNSCR 1973 authorizes all necessary measures to protect civilians in Libya under threat of attack by Gadhafi regime forces. JTF Odyssey Dawn was commanded by U.S. Navy Admiral Samuel J. Locklear III. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Ethan Morgan)

C-17 delivers equipment for JTF Odyssey Dawn

313th AIR EXPEDITIONARY WING, U.S. Forces in Europe (March 28, 2011) -- An Airman from the 721st Aerial Port Squadron, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, stows a cargo chain in a C-17 Globemaster III after preparing cargo to be unloaded here in support of Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn. Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn was the U.S. Africa Command task force established to provide operational and tactical command and control of U.S. military forces supporting the international response to the unrest in Libya and enforcement of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1973. UNSCR 1973 authorizes all necessary measures to protect civilians in Libya under threat of attack by Gadhafi regime forces. JTF Odyssey Dawn was commanded by U.S. Navy Admiral Samuel J. Locklear III. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Ethan Morgan)

C-17 delivers equipment for JTF Odyssey Dawn

313th AIR EXPEDITIONARY WING (March 28, 2011) -- A C-17 Globemaster III from Travis Air Force Base, Calif., taxis on the runway during support of Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn. Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn was the U.S. Africa Command task force established to provide operational and tactical command and control of U.S. military forces supporting the international response to the unrest in Libya and enforcement of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1973. UNSCR 1973 authorizes all necessary measures to protect civilians in Libya under threat of attack by Gadhafi regime forces. JTF Odyssey Dawn was commanded by U.S. Navy Admiral Samuel J. Locklear III. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Ethan Morgan)

Fueling the refueler

313th AIR EXPEDITIONARY WING (March 28, 2011) -- A 660th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief deployed from MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., monitors a pantograph as it pumps fuel into a KC-10 Extender in support of Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn. Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn was the U.S. Africa Command task force established to provide operational and tactical command and control of U.S. military forces supporting the international response to the unrest in Libya and enforcement of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1973. UNSCR 1973 authorizes all necessary measures to protect civilians in Libya under threat of attack by Gadhafi regime forces. JTF Odyssey Dawn was commanded by U.S. Navy Admiral Samuel J. Locklear III. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Ethan Morgan)

KC-135 Stratotanker

A KC-135 Stratotanker from Kansas Air National Guard's 190th Air Refueling Wing is parked on the flightline at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., on March 1, 2011. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Master Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol)

KC-135 Stratotanker

A KC-135 Stratotanker from Kansas Air National Guard's 190th Air Refueling Wing is parked on the flightline at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., on March 1, 2011. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Master Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol)

AMC Test and Evaluation part of team leading effort in KC-135 LAIRCM possibilities

Mr. James Shilling, Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures, or LAIRCM, system manager for Northrop-Grumman in Chicago, Mr. Raymond Berhalter, program manager at the KC-135 System Program Office at Tinker AFB, Okla., and Lt. Col. Randall Sealy, tanker test manager and chief of Headquarters Air Mobility Command’s Aircraft Test Management Branch -- part of AMC’s Test and Evaluation Division, look at a LAIRCM pod attached to a KC-135 Stratotanker parked on the flightline March 1, 2011, at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. In a combined effort between Air Mobility Command, the Air National Guard, the KC-135 Program Office, Northrop-Grumman and other agencies, a KC-135 LAIRCM pod defensive system is becoming a reality. The pod, called the Guardian System by maker Northrop-Grumman, is a laser-based countermeasures system designed to detect, provide warning of, and employ countermeasures against infrared-guided surface-to-air missiles. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Master Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol)

AMC Test and Evaluation part of team leading effort in KC-135 LAIRCM possibilities

A Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures, or LAIRCM, system pod is attached to a KC-135 Stratotanker parked on the flightline March 1, 2011, at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. In a combined effort between Air Mobility Command, the Air National Guard, the KC-135 Program Office, Northrop-Grumman and other agencies, a KC-135 LAIRCM pod defensive system is becoming a reality. The pod, called the Guardian System by maker Northrop-Grumman, is a laser-based countermeasures system designed to detect, provide warning of, and employ countermeasures against infrared-guided surface-to-air missiles. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Master Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol)