Thunderbolt

By

Staff

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft assigned to the 18th Aggressor Squadron takes off from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Oct. 6, 2014, during RED FLAG-Alaska 15-1. RF-A is a series of Pacific Air Forces commander-directed field training exercises for U.S. and partner nation forces, providing combined offensive counter-air, interdiction, close air support and large force employment training in a simulated combat environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Joseph Swafford Jr./Released)

A pilot with the 442nd Fighter Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., sits on the ramp in his A-10 Thunderbolt II while crew chiefs perform a hot pit refuel for his aircraft Dec. 8, 2010. Hot pit refueling is a procedure usually performed in a combat situation to rapidly refuel aircraft while engines are running to speed pilots back into the fight. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Kenny Holston)