Top it off: US, Hellenic air forces practice in-flight refueling

A Hellenic air force F-16 Fighting Falcon approaches a KC-135 Stratotanker, from the Arizona Air National Guard’s 161st Air Refueling Wing, during a flying training deployment, Jan. 27, 2017, at Souda Bay, Greece. The KC-135 refueled U.S. and Hellenic air force F-16s during the FTD, which was hosted to evaluate aircraft and personnel capabilities and increase interoperability between the two NATO allies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Austin Harvill)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Top it off: US, Hellenic air forces practice in-flight refueling

A KC-135 Stratotanker, from the Arizona Air National Guard’s 161st Air Refueling Wing, sits on the runway during a flying training deployment, Jan. 25, 2017, at Souda Bay, Greece. The KC-135 refueled U.S. and Hellenic air force F-16 Fighting Falcons during the FTD, which was hosted to evaluate aircraft and personnel capabilities and increase interoperability between the two NATO allies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Austin Harvill)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Top it off: US, Hellenic air forces practice in-flight refueling

Tech. Sgt. Ken Patrick, 161st Air Refueling Wing avionics technician, boards a KC-135 Stratotanker during a flying training deployment, Jan. 25, 2017, at Souda Bay, Greece. The Arizona Air National Guard’s 161st ARW’s KC-135s performed in-flight refueling operations with F-16 Fighting Falcons from Aviano Air Base, Italy, and the Hellenic air force during the FTD. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Austin Harvill)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Top it off: US, Hellenic air forces practice in-flight refueling

Maj. Brett Supyk and Capt. Kristy Kjornes, 161st Air Refueling Wing KC-135 Stratotanker pilots, prepare their KC-135 for takeoff during a flying training deployment, Jan. 25, 2017, at Souda Bay, Greece. The Arizona Air National Guard’s 161st ARW’s KC-135s performed in-flight refueling operations with F-16 Fighting Falcons from Aviano Air Base, Italy, and the Hellenic air force during the FTD. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Austin Harvill)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Top it off: US, Hellenic air forces practice in-flight refueling

Tech. Sgt. Chad Hill, 161st Air Refueling Wing boom operator, performs pre-flight checks inside a KC-135 Stratotanker before in-flight refueling operations during a flying training deployment, Jan. 25, 2017, at Souda Bay, Greece. The Arizona Air National Guard’s 161st ARW’s KC-135s refueled U.S. and Hellenic F-16 Fighting Falcons during the FTD, which was hosted to evaluate aircraft and personnel capabilities and increase interoperability between the two NATO allies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Austin Harvill)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Top it off: US, Hellenic air forces practice in-flight refueling

A U.S. flag hangs on the wall inside a KC-135 Stratotanker, from the Arizona Air National Guard’s 161st Air Refueling Wing, during a flying training deployment, Jan. 25, 2017, at Souda Bay, Greece. The KC-135 refueled U.S. and Hellenic air force F-16 Fighting Falcons during the FTD, which was hosted to evaluate aircraft and personnel capabilities and increase interoperability between the two NATO allies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Austin Harvill)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Top it off: US, Hellenic air forces practice in-flight refueling

An F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 555th Fighter Squadron, Aviano Air Base, Italy, awaits refueling from an Arizona Air National Guard 161st Air Refueling Wing KC-135 Stratotanker during a flying training deployment, Jan. 27, 2017, at Souda Bay, Greece. The KC-135 refueled U.S. and Hellenic air force F-16s during the FTD, which was hosted to evaluate aircraft and personnel capabilities and increase interoperability between the two NATO allies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Austin Harvill)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Top it off: US, Hellenic air forces practice in-flight refueling

A KC-135 Stratotanker, from the Arizona Air National Guard’s 161st Air Refueling Wing, refuels an F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 555th Fighter Squadron, Aviano Air Base, Italy, during a flying training deployment, Jan. 27, 2017, at Souda Bay, Greece. The KC-135 refueled U.S. and Hellenic air force F-16s during the FTD, which was hosted to evaluate aircraft and personnel capabilities and increase interoperability between the two NATO allies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Austin Harvill)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Top it off: US, Hellenic air forces practice in-flight refueling

An F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 555th Fighter Squadron, Aviano Air Base, Italy, receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker, assigned to the Arizona Air National Guard’s 161st Air Refueling Wing, Jan. 27, 2017, at Souda Bay, Greece. The KC-135 refueled U.S. and Hellenic air force F-16s during the FTD, which was hosted to evaluate aircraft and personnel capabilities and increase interoperability between the two NATO allies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Austin Harvill)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Top it off: US, Hellenic air forces practice in-flight refueling

An F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot and crew member from Aviano Air Base, Italy, wait while their F-16 receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker, assigned to the Arizona Air National Guard’s 161st Air Refueling Wing, Jan. 27, 2017, at Souda Bay, Greece. The KC-135 refueled U.S. and Hellenic air force F-16s during the FTD, which was hosted to evaluate aircraft and personnel capabilities and increase interoperability between the two NATO allies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Austin Harvill)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Top it off: US, Hellenic air forces practice in-flight refueling

An F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 555th Fighter Squadron, Aviano Air Base, Italy, awaits refueling from a KC-135 Stratotanker, assigned to the Arizona Air National Guard’s 161st Air Refueling Wing, during a flying training deployment, Jan. 27, 2017, at Souda Bay, Greece. The KC-135 refueled U.S. and Hellenic air force F-16s during the FTD, which was hosted to evaluate aircraft and personnel capabilities and increase interoperability between the two NATO allies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Austin Harvill)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Top it off: US, Hellenic air forces practice in-flight refueling

An F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 555th Fighter Squadron, Aviano Air Base, Italy, departs from a KC-135 Stratotanker, assigned to the Arizona Air National Guard’s 161st Air Refueling Wing, after refueling during a flying training deployment, Jan. 27, 2017, at Souda Bay, Greece. The KC-135 refueled U.S. and Hellenic air force F-16s during the FTD, which was hosted to evaluate aircraft and personnel capabilities and increase interoperability between the two NATO allies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Austin Harvill)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Top it off: US, Hellenic air forces practice in-flight refueling

Tech. Sgt. Chad Hill, 161st Air Refueling Wing boom operator, performs refueling operations inside a KC-135 Stratotanker during a flying training deployment, Jan. 27, 2017, at Souda Bay, Greece. The Arizona Air National Guard’s 161st ARW’s KC-135s refueled U.S. and Hellenic F-16 Fighting Falcons during the FTD, which was hosted to evaluate aircraft and personnel capabilities and increase interoperability between the two NATO allies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Austin Harvill)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Top it off: US, Hellenic air forces practice in-flight refueling

Tech. Sgt. Chad Hill, 161st Air Refueling Wing boom operator, performs refueling operations inside a KC-135 Stratotanker during a flying training deployment, Jan. 27, 2017, at Souda Bay, Greece. The Arizona Air National Guard’s 161st ARW’s KC-135s refueled U.S. and Hellenic F-16 Fighting Falcons during the FTD, which was hosted to evaluate aircraft and personnel capabilities and increase interoperability between the two NATO allies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Austin Harvill)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Top it off: US, Hellenic air forces practice in-flight refueling

Hellenic air force F-16 Fighting Falcons fly alongside a KC-135 Stratotanker from the Arizona Air National Guard’s 161st Air Refueling Wing during a flying training deployment, Jan. 27, 2017, at Souda Bay, Greece. The KC-135 refueled U.S. and Hellenic air force F-16s during the FTD, which was hosted to evaluate aircraft and personnel capabilities and increase interoperability between the two NATO allies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Austin Harvill)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

Top it off: US, Hellenic air forces practice in-flight refueling

Published Feb. 1, 2017
By Staff Sgt. Austin Harvill
31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SOUDA BAY, Greece -- A KC-135 Stratotanker, from the Arizona Air National Guard’s 161st Air Refueling Wing, joined F-16 Fighting Falcons from Aviano Air Base, Italy, and the Hellenic air force to perform in-flight refueling operations during a flying training deployment, Jan. 20 to Feb. 3, 2017, at Souda Bay, Greece. In-flight refueling lengthens an aircraft’s flight time to expand mission capabilities. As NATO allies, the joint training ensures a stronger Europe for all.