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Tankers enable Talisman Saber 2017, Australia allies

A C-17 Globlemaster III, receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker during a refueling mission as part of exercise Talisman Saber 2017, July 12, 2017, over the Pacific ocean. Talisman Saber 2017 is a joint exercise between the U.S. and Australia Defense Force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Rachel Waller)

Tankers enable Talisman Saber 2017, Australia allies

An Australian C-17 Globemaster III approaches a KC-135 Stratotanker to receive fuel as part of Talisman Saber 2017, July 12, 2017, over the Pacific ocean. One goal of the bi-annual joint exercise between U.S. and Australia forces is to strengthen interservice relationships and increase global security. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Rachel Waller)

Tankers enable Talisman Saber 2017, Australia allies

Lt. Col. John Harbour, left, 349th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 detachment commander and Capt. Alex Brose, 349th ARS co-pilot, fly the KC-135 Stratotanker as it off-loads fuel during a mission in support of exercise Talisman Saber 2017, July 12, 2017, over the Pacific ocean. The 22nd Air Refueling Wing provided support to both the U.S. and the Australian Defense Force during the exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Rachel Waller)

Tankers enable Talisman Saber 2017, Australia allies

Published July 12, 2017
By Staff Sgt. Rachel Waller
22nd AIr Refueling Wing Public Affairs

EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --

In the pre-dawn light, four active duty and guard KC-135 Stratotankers were launched July 12 in support of exercise Talisman Saber 2017.

U.S. Pacific Command and Australian Defense Force Headquarters Joint Operations Command sponsors Talisman Saber 2017, which incorporates components from the Air Force, Army, Navy and Marines as well as the Australian Defense Force.

The 349^th Air Refueling Squadron from McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas lead the aerial refueling support. Aircraft from the Ohio National Guard, Arizona National Guard and Iowa National Guard also participated in the mission.

“The primary mission of the KC-135 is to provide rapid global refueling, any time, any place,” said Lt. Col. John Harbour, 349^th ARS KC-135 detachment commander. “Our main role in Talisman Saber 2017 was to extend the reach of aircraft like the U.S.’s and Australia’s C-17 Globemaster III.”

The focus of the exercise is to enhance relationships between service members as well as improve the U.S. and Australia’s ability to work bilaterally and multilaterally. More than 21 naval ships, 200 joint aircraft and thousands of personnel are scheduled to take part in the exercise.

“Around 33,000 service members will participate in this exercise; this is one of the largest exercises we support,” said Harbour. “We train daily to ensure we are always ready to support our nation and our allies at a moment’s notice.”

“This exercise really gives me a perspective on how important our mission is and how much of an impact we have globally,” said Airman 1^st Class Patrick Napolitano, 350^th ARS boom operator with less than two months of operational experience. “I never saw myself being able to help a major force like Australia; this has been really eye opening for me.”

The tanker’s ability to support an exercise like this is just one way the KC-135 has proven itself as the backbone of the Air Force for the last 60 years, and it will continue its legacy well into the future.

This is the seventh iteration of the exercise and it is scheduled to conclude July 25.