KC-135 Stratotanker: A gas station in the skies
A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor from the 1st Fighter Wing based out of Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, approaches a KC-135 Stratotanker to refuel mid-air during Red Flag Alaska, 21-3 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, August 25, 2021. By allowing jets to refuel mid-air, the KC-135 enables aircraft to stay in the air longer, adding vital time by alleviating the need to land in order to refuel. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Marcus M. Bullock)