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A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 6th Weapons Squadron receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 91st Air Refueling Squadron during exercise Combat Archer, Sept. 12, 2025, over the Gulf of America. Combat Archer provides the 6th Air Refueling Wing an opportunity to integrate with fighter units during live-fire air-to-air weapons evaluations. With rapid, reliable refueling, AMC tankers extend sorties and sustain combat operations, allowing fighters to concentrate on weapons employment and underscoring air mobility as a critical enabler of readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexander Cook)

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A crew chief assigned to the 6th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron cleans the boom pod window on a KC-135 Stratotanker before flight Sept. 12, 2025, at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. Crew chiefs perform thorough pre-flight inspections of an aircraft’s exterior, checking for leaks, hydraulic issues, and structural integrity before every mission. The dedication of AMC Airmen ensures every tanker launches ready, fueling the mission and the fighters who depend on it. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexander Cook)

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A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 6th Weapons Squadron prepares to receive fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 91st Air Refueling Squadron during exercise Combat Archer, Sept. 12, 2025, over the Gulf of America. The 6th Air Refueling Wing extends the endurance of F-22 Raptors and F-35 Lightning IIs during Exercise Combat Archer, allowing fighters to complete live-fire training without interruption. This mission showcases AMC’s role as a global force multiplier, delivering the speed, range, and flexibility that underpin U.S. airpower in contested environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexander Cook)

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U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Clark Hall, left, and 1st Lt. Jacob Spiewak, 91st Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker pilots, operate controls on a KC-135 during an air refueling mission Sept. 12, 2025, supporting exercise Combat Archer over the Gulf of America. Combat Archer provides the 6th Air Refueling Wing an opportunity to integrate with fighter units during live-fire air-to-air weapons evaluations. With rapid, reliable refueling, AMC tankers extend sorties and sustain combat operations, allowing fighters to concentrate on weapons employment and underscoring air mobility as a critical enabler of combat readiness.(U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexander Cook)

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A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor assigned to the 433rd Weapons Squadron receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 91st Air Refueling Squadron during exercise Combat Archer, Sept. 12, 2025, over the Gulf of America. Combat Archer provides the 6th Air Refueling Wing an opportunity to integrate with fighter units during live-fire air-to-air weapons evaluations. With rapid, reliable refueling, AMC tankers extend sorties and sustain combat operations, allowing fighters to concentrate on weapons employment and underscoring air mobility as a critical enabler of readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexander Cook)

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A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor assigned to the 433rd Weapons Squadron is reflected in an Airman’s sunglasses as the aircraft receives fuel during exercise Combat Archer Sept. 12, 2025, over the Gulf of America. The 6th Air Refueling Wing extends the endurance of F-22 Raptors and F-35 Lightning IIs during Exercise Combat Archer, allowing fighters to complete live-fire training without interruption. This mission showcases AMC’s role as a global force multiplier, delivering the speed, range, and flexibility that underpin U.S. airpower in contested environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexander Cook)

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A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor assigned to the 433rd Weapons Squadron banks left after receiving fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 91st Air Refueling Squadron during exercise Combat Archer, Sept. 12, 2025, over the Gulf of America. Combat Archer provides the 6th Air Refueling Wing an opportunity to integrate with fighter units during live-fire air-to-air weapons evaluations. With rapid, reliable refueling, AMC tankers extend sorties and sustain combat operations, allowing fighters to concentrate on weapons employment and underscoring air mobility as a critical enabler of readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexander Cook)

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Fueling Lethality: 6th ARW extends Airpower during exercise Combat Archer

Published Sept. 21, 2025
By TSgt Alexander Cook
6th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 433rd Weapons Squadron receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 91st Air Refueling Squadron during exercise Combat Archer, Sept. 12, 2025, over the Gulf of America. Combat Archer provides the 6th Air Refueling Wing an opportunity to integrate with fighter units during live-fire air-to-air weapons evaluations. With rapid, reliable refueling, AMC tankers extend sorties and sustain combat operations, allowing fighters to concentrate on weapons employment and underscoring air mobility as a critical enabler of readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexander Cook)

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