Booms to bombers

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Patrick O'Neill
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  

A B-52 Stratofortress assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing flies steadily behind a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 22nd Air Refueling wing

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A B-52 Stratofortress assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing flies steadily behind a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 22nd Air Refueling wing above the Midwestern United States, Aug. 5, 2026. This B-52 was one of three refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 350th Air Refueling Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Patrick O’Neill)
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A B-52 Stratofortress assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing flies below a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 22nd Air Refueling wing

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A B-52 Stratofortress assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing flies below a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 22nd Air Refueling wing above the Midwestern United States, Aug. 5, 2026. This B-52 was one of three refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 350th Air Refueling Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Patrick O’Neill)
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A B-52 Stratofortress assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing holds its distance behind a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 22nd Air Refueling Wing

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A B-52 Stratofortress assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing holds its distance behind a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 22nd Air Refueling Wing above the Midwestern United States, Aug. 5, 2026. The B-52 is the oldest bomber still operating in the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Patrick O’Neill)
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A B-52 Stratofortress assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing prepares to receive fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 22nd Air Refueling Wing

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A B-52 Stratofortress assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing prepares to receive fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 22nd Air Refueling Wing above the Midwestern United States, Aug. 5, 2026. The B-52 is the oldest bomber still operating in the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Patrick O’Neill)
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A B-52 Stratofortress assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing approaches a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 22nd Air Refueling Wing

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A B-52 Stratofortress assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing approaches a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 22nd Air Refueling Wing above the Midwestern United States, Aug. 5, 2026. The B-52 is the oldest bomber still operating in the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Patrick O’Neill)
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Maj. Duncan Richards, 350th Air Refueling Squadron pilot, reverse taxis a KC-135 Stratotanker down the runway at McConnell Air Force Base

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Maj. Duncan Richards, 350th Air Refueling Squadron pilot, reverse taxis a KC-135 Stratotanker down the runway at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, Aug. 5, 2026. A back-taxi happens when a taxiway is closed, forcing pilots to guide their aircraft down a runway. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Patrick O’Neill)
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A B-52 Stratofortress assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing flies above the Midwestern United States

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A B-52 Stratofortress assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing flies above the Midwestern United States, Aug. 5, 2026. This B-52 was one of three refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 350th Air Refueling Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Patrick O’Neill)
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