1st Lt. John Lewis Elliot, 909th Aerial Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker pilot, conducts a pre-flight checklist prior to a Bomber Task Force (BTF) mission, July 27, 2020 at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The 909th ARS maintains around-the-clock readiness in order to support the BTF as well as any other U.S. Indo-Pacific Command flying units, enabling joint and allied partners to maintain continuous peace and security operations throughout the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Peter Ref