Lt.Col. Ken Carmichael (left) and Lt. Col. Cam Sanders, both pilots with the 185th Air Refueling Squadron, Oklahoma Air National Guard, Tinker Air Force Base discuss the overall flight plan during the Keen Sword exercise here at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Dec. 8. Scheduled for December 3-10, Keen Sword 2011 is the tenth joint-bilateral field training exercise since 1986 involving Japan Self-Defense Forces and United States military forces and will cap the 50th anniversary of the Japan-U.S. alliance as an "alliance of equals." (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Lakisha A. Croley)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
An F-15 Eagle with the 67th fighter squadron gets refueled during the Keen Sword exercise here at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Dec. 8. Keen Sword is designed to allow the United States and Japan to practice and evaluate the coordination procedures and interoperability elements required to effectively and mutually respond to the defense of Japan, or to a regional crisis or contingency situation in the Asia-Pacific region, while building bilateral confidences and working relationships. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Lakisha A.Croley)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Technical Sgt. Jess Cox, a boom operator with the 185th Air Refueling Squadron, Oklahoma Air National Guard, Tinker AFB, awaits the arrival of the next F-15 Eagle so he can begin the refueling process during the Keen Sword exercise here at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Dec. 8. Participation in Keen Sword further enhances the Japan-U.S. alliance which remains a key strategic relationship in the northeast Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt Lakisha A. Croley)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Technical Sgt. Jess Cox, a boom operator with the 185th Air Refueling Squadron, Oklahoma Air National Guard, Tinker Air Force Base discusses safety procedures to local national media before take-off during the Keen Sword exercise here at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Dec. 8. Keen Sword 2011 will include an estimated 10,500 U.S. participants from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. Significant training events during Keen Sword 2011 will include integrated air and missile defense, base security and force protection, search and rescue, close air support, live-fire training, and maritime defense and interdiction. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Lakisha A. Croley

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Technical Sgt. Jess Cox, a boom operator with the 185th Air Refueling Squadron, Oklahoma Air National Guard, Tinker AFB, controls the boom as an F-15 Eagle from the 67th Fighter Squadron during the Keen Sword exercise here at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Dec. 8 During Keen Sword 2011, units from the United States Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps, will conduct training with their Japan Self-Defense Force counterparts at military installations throughout mainland Japan, Okinawa and in the waters surrounding Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt Lakisha A. Croley)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Technical Sgt. Jess Cox, a boom operator with the 185th Air Refueling Squadron, Oklahoma Air National Guard, Tinker AFB, controls the boom as an F-15 Eagle from the 67th Fighter Squadron during the Keen Sword exercise here at Kadena Air Base, Japan 8 Dec. Keen Sword is a regularly scheduled exercise that strengthens Japan-U.S. military interoperability and meets mutual defense objectives. Japan-U.S. military operations and exercises increase readiness to respond to varied crisis situations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt Lakisha A. Croley)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

Total force refueling keeps Keen Sword flying

Published Dec. 9, 2010
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Airmen from the 185th Air Refueling Squadron, an Oklahoma Air National Guard unit from Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., provide joint service refueling to Navy and Marine F/A-18 Hornets, Air Force F-15 Eagles and Navy EA-6B Prowlers during Keen Sword 2011, Dec. 8.

Scheduled for December 3-10, Keen Sword 2011 is the tenth joint-bilateral field training exercise since 1986 involving Japan Self-Defense Forces and United States military forces and will cap the 50th anniversary of the Japan-U.S. alliance as an "alliance of equals."

Click here to view a photo slideshow of refueling operations during Keen Sword 2011.