A KC-135 Stratotanker from Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, refuels a B-1B Lancer during a training mission over South Dakota, Sept. 23, 2014. For more than 50 years, the KC-135 has provided the core aerial refueling capability for the Air Force. The B-1B is assigned to Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Janelle Patiño)

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A KC-135 Stratotanker from Fairchild Air Force Base refuels a B-1B Lancer during a training exercise Sept. 23, 2014, over South Dakota. For more than 50 years the KC-135 has provided the core aerial refueling capability for the Air Force. The aircraft can travel up to 1,500 miles with 150,000 pounds of transfer fuel, which enables the Air Force to project rapid, flexible military power. The B-1B is assigned to Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Mary O'Dell)

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Lt. Col. David Parlotz taxis toward the runway at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, Sept. 23, 2014. This KC-135 Stratotanker, assigned to the 92nd Air Refueling Wing, usually transports a crew of three, including a pilot, co-pilot and boom operator. Parlotz is the 92nd ARW Inspector General. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Mary O'Dell)

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A B-1B Lancer assigned to Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, trails behind a KC-135 Stratotanker during an aerial refueling training mission Sept. 23, 2014. The B-1B can is the backbone of America's long-range bomber force. It can rapidly deliver massive quantities of precision and non-precision weapons against any adversary, anywhere in the world, at any time. The KC-135 is assigned to Fairchild AFB. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Mary O'Dell)

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A B-1B Lancer, assigned to Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, glides through the air over South Dakota, Sept. 23, 2014. Two B-1Bs participated in an aerial refueling training mission with a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington. The maximum fuel transfer load of the KC-135 is 200,000 pounds. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Mary O'Dell)

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Staff Sgt. Steven Cantu prepares to refuel a B-1B Lancer assigned to Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, Sept. 23, 2014. Two B-1Bs were refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker from Fairchild AFB, Washington, during a routine training mission over South Dakota. Nearly all internal fuel can be pumped through the flying boom, the KC-135's primary fuel transfer method. Cantu, a 92nd Air Refueling Squadron boom operator, is stationed in the rear of the plane and controls the boom during in-flight aerial refueling. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Mary O'Dell)

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A B-1B Lancer, receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to Fairchild Air Force Base over South Dakota, Sept. 23, 2014. During the flight, the crew performed training procedures with two B-1B's. The B-1B's are assigned to Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Janelle Patiño)

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A B-1B Lancer assigned to Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, soars through the sky after participating in an aerial refueling training mission over South Dakota, Sept. 23, 2014. The B-1Bs blended wing/body configuration, variable-geometry wings and turbofan afterburning engines, combine to provide long range, maneuverability and high speed while enhancing survivability. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Mary O'Dell)

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Stratotanker fuels up long-range bombers

Published Sept. 24, 2014
92nd Air Refueling Public Affairs

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- A crew from Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, took flight early Tuesday morning on an aerial refueling training mission towards Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota.

During the mission, two B-1B Lancers assigned to Ellsworth were refueled over South Dakota, providing vital training to all those involved.

The Fairchild crew consisted of pilot, Lt. Col. David Parlotz, co-pilot, Capt. Kevin Bishop and boom operators, Staff Sgts. Jeff Watson and Steven Cantu, all members of the 92nd Air Refueling Squadron.