A Japanese Air Self Defense Force F-15J Eagle departs after refueling from a U.S. Air Force KC-10 Extender assigned to the 9th Air Refueling Squadron, Travis Air Force Base, California, over the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex June 23, 2021. RED FLAG-Alaska 21-1 is a Pacific Air Forces-sponsored exercise designed to provide realistic training in a simulated combat environment. A series of commander-directed field training exercises provides joint offensive counter-air, interdiction, close air support, and large force employment training. The RF-A exercise provides unique opportunities to integrate various forces to include the Japanese Air Self-Defense and Republic of Korea Air Forces into joint and multilateral training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Emily Farnsworth)
Japan Air Self-Defense Force Maj Yasuhiro Sugiyama, left, and Capt Masayuki Hattori, E-767 Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft pilots, flies over Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, June 24, 2021 during RED FLAG-Alaska 21-2. The RF-A exercise focuses on improving the combat readiness of U.S. and international forces, and providing training for units preparing for air and space expeditionary force tasking. Sugiyama and Hattori are both assigned to the 602nd Squadron, Hamamatsu Air Base, Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Sheila deVera)
Japan Air Self Defense Force service member from the E-767 Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft pose for the camera during RED FLAG-Alaska 21-2 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, June 24, 2021. The RF-A exercise focuses on improving the combat readiness of U.S. and international forces, and providing training for units preparing for air and space expeditionary force tasking. (U.S. Air Force photo by Sheila deVera)Japan Air Self Defense Force Lt Col. Hiroshi Ogawa, 602nd Squadron mission crew commander, monitors air activity on board an E-767 Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft during RED FLAG-Alaska 21-2 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, June 24, 2021. The RF-A exercise focuses on improving the combat readiness of U.S. and international forces, and providing training for units preparing for air and space expeditionary force tasking. (U.S. Air Force photo by Sheila deVera)
