A KC-135 Stratotanker from McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., stands ready on the runway at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., March 15, 2012 prior to taking off for a night refueling mission. Aircrews from McConnell are participating in a two-week multi-lateral exercise, which not only simulates but prepares Airmen for a deployed environment. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Ryan Zeski)

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Senior Airman Liahna Childs, boom operator, 334th Air Refueling Squadron, fills out pre-flight paperwork inside a McConnell Air Force Base KC-135 at Fairchild AFB, Wash., March 15, 2012 before takeoff. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Ryan Zeski)

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McConnell Air Force Base pilots, 1st Lt. Matthew Welch, 334th Air Refueling Squadron, and Maj. Shane Rogers, 22nd Operations Group, sit inside the cockpit of a KC-135 Stratotanker on the runway at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., March 15, 2012 as they perform a pre-flight checklist before takeoff. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Earlandez Young)

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In-flight refueling is demonstrated as Senior Airman Liahna Childs, boom operator, 334th Air Refueling Squadron, pays close attention as she positions a boom into a C-17 Globemaster III for refueling. Childs, who is new at McConnell AFB, Kan., says night refueling can be challenging because of difficulty to see the receiving aircraft, but equipment such as night-vision goggles makes it possible. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Ryan Zeski)

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A C-17 Globemaster III is refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker, which is flown and operated by pilots and air crew from McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. The night refueling took place approximately 30,000 feet in the air, over the coast of Washington. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Earlandez Young)

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Photos: McConnell Air Force Base jets takeoff from Fairchild

Published March 19, 2012