Stratotanker Silhouette
A K-135 Stratotanker assigned to McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., extends its refueling boom during receiver/tanker (R/T) training, April 11, 2015. The KC-135 was operated by an aircrew made up of Air Force Reservists from the 18th Air Refueling Squadron, 931st Air Refueling Group, at McConnell. The R/T training is a critical component to the eventual transition to the KC-46A Pegasus at McConnell. Unlike most KC-135 Stratotankers, the KC-46 has the ability to take on fuel while in flight. The first reserve pilots that will fly the KC-46 are required to be R/T qualified on specially-modified KC-135s before they can even begin the required training at the Boeing Flight Training Facility in Seattle, Wash. Fortunately, the 18th ARS has been actively working with members of the 22nd Air Refueling Wing to ensure that 18 ARS pilots are R/T certified before they attend KC-46 training in Washington next May. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Ray Lewis)