Direct ground refueling of MQ-9 using MV-22 carried out for the first time

Working together with the U.S. Marine Corps, the 163rd Attack Wing has proven that the MQ-9 can be refueled on the ground while connected to an MV-22.

An MQ-9 Reaper assigned to the 163 Attack Wing, March Air Reserve Base stages for refueling on the Strategic Expeditionary Landing Field on Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, CA July 21, 2022.The 163d accelerated change by pioneering the first ever refuel of the MQ-9 Reaper using a Forward Area refueling Point provided by the VMM – 764’s V-22 Osprey. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Joseph Pagan)

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VMFA(AW)-533 SINKEX for Valiant Shield 22

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Sean Dolan, an F/A-18 Hornet pilot, right, and Capt. Raymond Rickenbach, an F/A-18D Hornet weapons system officer with Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA(AW)) 533 conduct pre-flight inspections on an AGM-84D Harpoon Anti-Ship Missile attached to an F/A-18D Hornet aircraft at Andersen Air Force Base Guam, June 14, 2022, in preparation of a joint maritime strike to demonstrate service components fires and effects capabilities in the maritime environment during exercise Valiant Shield 22 (VS 22). Exercises such as Valiant Shield allows the Indo-Pacific Command Joint Task Force the opportunity to integrate forces from all branches of service to conduct long-range, precise, lethal, and overwhelming multi-axis, multi-domain effects that demonstrate the strength and versatility of the Joint Task Force and our commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler Harmon)

#FighterFriday

A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 225, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, departs a Forward Arming and Refueling Point with ordnance at Yuma Proving Grounds, Yuma, Arizona, May 25, 2022. The weapons configuration consists of six guided bombs, with four mounted onto the wings and two loaded into the weapons bay, as well as a Air Intercept Missile 9X. MAG-13 squadrons are capable of conducting offensive air support, anti-aircraft warfare, and aviation reconnaissance from expeditionary sites in any clime and place. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Samuel Ruiz)