Metrea makes aviation history with first-ever commercial aerial refueling of USAF aircraft

In a historic achievement, Metrea Strategic Mobility (MSM) has successfully provided commercial air-to-air refueling services to United States Air Force (USAF) aircraft for the first time. This significant milestone marks a new chapter in aerial refueling capabilities and underscores Metrea’s commitment to enhancing military aviation training and operations.


Photo: Metrea
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309th Fighter Squadron and 49th Wing execute successful F-16 block swap

The 309th Fighter Squadron and the 49th Wing have successfully initiated a “block swap” involving the F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft. The operation, which commenced on Jul. 10, 2023, at Holloman Air Force Base (AFB), New Mexico, and Luke Air Force Base (AFB), Arizona, aims to streamline aircraft upgrades and capabilities within the U.S. Air Force.


U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Dominic Tyler
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French and Canadian aircrews execute successful maritime rescue operation off Rota coast

French, Canadian, and U.S. Forces, in collaboration with local responders, have accomplished a remarkable search and rescue operation, rescuing the operator and passengers of a distressed vessel off the coast of Rota, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, on Jul. 10. This successful operation was made possible through the participation of French and Canadian aircraft crews, who were taking part in Exercise Mobility Guardian 2023, Air Mobility Command’s largest full-spectrum readiness exercise in the Indo-Pacific region.

A French Air and Space Force A400M Loadmaster assigned to the 1/61 “Touraine” Transportation Squadron scans the ocean with NVG looking for a lost ship during a search and rescue operation in the Pacific Ocean, July 10, 2023. This was a joint operation between the French, Canadian, and U.S. military forces.

U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Taylor Crul
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