93rd EARS supports Bright Star 21, fuels regional partner capacity

Airman First Class Phillip Fowler and Tech. Sgt. Christopher Fitzgerald, both KC-135 Stratotanker boom operators assigned to the 93rd Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron , prepare for a flight at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, in support of Bright Star 21, Sept. 15, 2021. The 93rd EARS supported aerial refueling during Bright Star to both ensure participation from U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft assigned to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing and provide training qualification opportunities for 12 Egyptian air force F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots. This is the 17th iteration of Exercise Bright Star Bright Star, a multilateral exercise hosted by the Arab Republic of Egypt with support from U.S. Central Command, which aims to enhance regional security and promote interoperability throughout the full range of military operations. Since its inception in 1980 and as the oldest exercise for U.S. Central Command participation, Bright Star continues the proud and historic tradition of the United States, Egypt, and partner nations working together. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob Derry)