WEEK IN PHOTOS

a base tour with Airman 1st Class Dakota Gross, 50th Air Refueling Squadron interacted with servicemembers and gained a better understanding of the Air

Ronner Helmut, 6th Maintenance Squadron corrosion control contractor, washes a KC-135 Stratotanker at MacDill Air Force Base April 12. Due to MacDill’s proximity to the bay, contractors wash the KC-135s every 30 days to combat the salt water corrosion.

A U.S. Air Force Airman assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing, meets their family on the flight line at MacDill Air Force Base April 6. The Airman had just returned from a deployment in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. The 6th ARW thanks all their service members and their families for the sacrifices they make.

509th Weapons Squadron conducts Advanced Agile Training as Total Force Integrator

by 2nd Lt. Ariana Wilkinson 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash.—For the past 50 years, the KC-135 Stratotanker’s role has transitioned from serving as a strategic alert response to a constant state of readiness in global operations. At Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, a group of professional KC-135 pilots, navigators and in-flight refueling specialists undergo advanced agile training to graduate as tactical experts in planning and execution of integrated air and space power to support global operations and expand mobility capabilities.

509th Weapon Squadron (WPS) students executed their first temporary duty assignment March 13-17 in Roswell, New Mexico, where five KC-135 pilots and three in-flight refueling specialists attending WPS Weapons Instructor Course and Advanced Instructor Course were tested on the threats and tactics phase of the course

Prior to their mission to Roswell, the students developed tactical approaches and departures (TADs) which are tailored to counter specific threats to the tanker. They first practiced their techniques in a simulator to check for safety, verify flyability, and refine the procedures.

See 509th, Page 14