'Million dollar' view

U.S. Air Force Captain’s Karan Bansal, left, and Kyle McCullough, KC-135 Stratotanker pilots assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan, orient to the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, May 12, 2016. The JPARC consists of all the land, air, sea, space and cyberspace used for military training in Alaska, providing unmatched opportunities for present and future Service, joint, interagency and multinational training and is comprised of approximately 65,000 square miles of available airspace, 2,490 square miles of land space with 1.5 million acres of maneuver land and 42,000 square nautical miles of sea and airspace in the Gulf of Alaska. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Steven R. Doty)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Ride along

An F-15C Eagle aircraft with the 67th Fighter Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan, parallels alongside a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan, to begin an inflight refueling procedure May 12, 2016, inside the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex. More than 75 aircraft and 1,400 participants took part in RED FLAG-Alaska which was mostly exercised throughout the JPARC. RF-A is a series of Pacific Air Forces commander-directed field training exercises for U.S. and partner nation forces, enabling joint and international units to exchange tactics, techniques and procedures while improving interoperability in a realistic threat environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Steven R. Doty)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Maintain heading, speed

An F-15C Eagle aircraft with the 67th Fighter Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan, receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan, May 12, 2016, inside the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex. The KC-135 provides the core aerial refueling capability for the United States Air Force and has excelled in this role for more than 50 years working to accomplish its primary mission of global reach. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Steven R. Doty)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Critical view

U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Doug Palmisano, KC-135 Stratotanker boom operator assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan, conducts refueling operations May 12, 2016, over the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex. Boom operators on a KC-135 have the ability to pump thousands of pounds of fuel to any capable aircraft, thousands of feet above the ground, flying at 200 knots (230 miles per hour), all while only 47 feet from the receiving aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Steven R. Doty)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Stacked up

Three F-16 Fighting Falcon’s with the 80th Fighter Squadron, Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, fly alongside a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan, May 12, 2016, inside the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex. The JPARC provides a realistic training environment and allows commanders to train for full spectrum engagements, ranging from individual skills to complex, large-scale joint engagements. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Steven R. Doty)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Pulling up

An F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft with the 80th Fighter Squadron, Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, lines up to receive fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan, to begin an inflight refueling procedure May 12, 2016, inside the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex. In September of 1981, the 80th became the first unit stationed overseas to convert to the F-16 Fighting Falcon and on Jan. 31, 1992, the 80th Tactical Fighter Squadron was redesignated 80 FS. The 80th FS continues to support the United States Contingent in Korea with the same pride and excellence instilled in the squadron from the pilots of the past. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Steven R. Doty)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Glimpse of light

U.S. Air Force Capt. Karan Bansal, a KC-135 Stratotanker pilot assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan, directs his attention to an Indian Air Force airman, May 12, 2016, over the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex. As part of RED FLAG-Alaska 16-1, the 67th Fighter Squadron, 80th FS and the 909th ARS conducted an in-flight refueling exercise to demonstrate how tanker support can extend and prolong flight operations for U.S. and coalition aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Steven R. Doty)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

Essential players in RED FLAG-Alaska exercise

Published May 16, 2016
By Tech. Sgt. Steven R. Doty
354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

JOINT PACIFIC ALASKA RANGE COMPLEX-Alaska -- RED FLAG-Alaska (RF-A) is a series of Pacific Air Forces commander-directed field training exercises for U.S. and partner nation forces, enabling joint and international units to exchange tactics, techniques and procedures while improving interoperability in a realistic threat environment.

'Million dollar' view

Ride along

Maintain heading, speed

Critical view

Stacked up

Pulling up

Glimpse of light