C-17 makes history with Aviation Delivered Ground Refueling of B-2 bomber

A U.S. Air Force C-17 has provided Aviation Delivered Ground Refueling (ADGR) to a B-2 bomber for the first time during WSINT 22B.

Airmen assigned to the 437th Airlift Wing, stationed at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, and 509th Bomb Wing, stationed at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, conduct a specialized fuel operations (SFO) from a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III to a U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit at Edwards Air Force Base, Dec. 2, 2022. The SFO marks the first time a C-17 refueled a B-2, increasing flexibility for the bomber to conduct agile combat employment operations. (U.S Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Mitchell Corley)

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KC-135 saves the day: Tanker crew refuels B-2 in emergency situation

A KC-135 tanker crew from the 171st Air Refueling Wing responded to an urgent request for fuel from a B-2 bomber on October 25, 2022. The KC-135, also known as Steel 51, was preparing to take off from Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City when they received the call. The B-2, call sign Fury 72, was low on fuel and needed to be refueled immediately.

171st Air Refueling Wing - Boeing KC-135T-BN Stratotanker 58-0084
United States Air Force, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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RAAF deploying F-35A to Japan next year; JASDF might deploy F-35 to Australia

The Tenth Japan-Australia 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Consultations was held in Toyko on Dec. 9 and the joint statement revealed that Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F-35s will deploy to Japan for the first time next year to participate in Exercise Bushido Guardian.

A35-009 taking off in April 2022
U.S. Air Force photo by William R. Lewis, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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