An F-35A Lightning II pilot hovers while attached to a KC-135 Stratotanker boom during a refuel mission over the Gulf of Mexico near Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. March 3. During the morning mission, local media and F-35 maintainers from the 33rd Fighter Wing looked on as the MacDill Air Force Base KC-135 crew offloaded approximately 48,100 pounds of jet fuel to seven F-35As. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ilka Cole)

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Senior Airman Luke Pommier, 91st Air Refueling Squadron, watches for F-35A Lightning II receivers from the boom pod of a KC-135 Stratotanker during a refuel mission over the Gulf of Mexico near Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. March 3. During the morning mission, local media and 33rd Fighter Wing F-35 maintainers watched as the MacDill Air Force Base KC-135 crew offloaded approximately 48,100 pounds of jet fuel to seven F-35As. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ilka Cole)

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Two F-35A Lightning IIs fly by the KC-135 Stratotanker during a refuel mission over the Gulf of Mexico near Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. March 3. During the morning mission, local media and 33rd Fighter Wing F-35 maintainers watched as the MacDill Air Force Base KC-135 crew offloaded approximately 48,100 pounds of jet fuel to seven F-35As. The F-35 is the Air Force’s fifth generation fighter. The multi-role fighter’s agility and high performance capabilities increase survivability in high threat environments. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ilka Cole)

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An F-35A Lightning II approaches a KC-135 Stratotanker during a refuel mission over the Gulf of Mexico near Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. March 3. During the morning mission, local media and 33rd Fighter Wing F-35 maintainers watched as the MacDill Air Force Base KC-135 crew offloaded approximately 48,100 pounds of jet fuel to seven F-35As. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ilka Cole)

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Gas the Lightning

Published March 14, 2016