Marine Corps F-35B Air Refueling

October 3, 2018 flight2000it

Marine Corps F-35B Air RefuelingA U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 28th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron departs on an aerial refuel mission from Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. The KC-135 refuels U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning IIs assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The F-35B has deployed to the Middle East for the first time as part of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG). The 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) is the first combat-deployed MEU to utilize the F-35B, replacing its predecessor the AV-8B Harrier. The F-35B combines next-generation fighter characteristics of radar-evading stealth, supersonic speed, fighter agility and advanced logistical support with the most powerful and comprehensive integrated sensor package of any fighter aircraft in the U.S. inventory, providing the commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) significantly improved capability to approach missions from a position of strength. (U.S Air Force video by Staff Sgt. Rion Ehrman)