168th Wing and allies deliver vital aerial refueling operations at Red Flag Alaska 23-2

Lt. Col. Rick Wals, 168th Wing Operations Support Squadron commander, and KC-135 pilot and Lt. Col. Joseph Howard, 168th Wing KC-135 Stratotanker pilot, prepare to take off for an aerial refueling mission on board a 168th Wing KC-135 Stratotanker during Red Flag Alaska 23-2. Members of the 168th Wing and the Republic of Korea Air Force visited together during RF-A 23-2 to exchange tactics and procedures while increasing interoperability on the aerial refueling mission. The multinational exercise allows Air Forces from different countries to integrate and is a testament to the collaborative spirit and shared commitment to maintaining peace and security. The 168th WG and international counterparts provided air power through the aerial refueling mission during RF-A 23-2. Aerial refueling increases combat aircraft’s speed, range, lethality, and versatility. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Julie Avey)