English: A Spanish Air Force EF-18A Hornet moves into position behind an Air Combat Command KC-135R Stratotanker (not shown) of the 22nd Air Refueling Squadron during a NATO Operation Allied Force Combat Mission. The versatility of the KC-135 Stratotanker is clearly demonstrated by its ability to adapt quickly to each mission. This mission required that the tanker attach a refueling drogue (not shown) to the end of its refueling boom (not shown) so that NATO aircraft fitted with a refueling probe could refuel. The EF-18A Hornets carries AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles on the wingtip rails, MK 82 500 pound Laser Guided Bombs in the middle of the wings and 350 gallon underwing drop tanks to extend mission range. The KC-135R is assigned to the 366th Air Expeditionary Wing / 22nd Air Refueling Squadron and is deployed to Royal Air Force Fairford to support NATO Operation Allied Force. The EF-18A Hornet is assigned to Ala 12, or 12 Squadron, at Torrejon Air Base Spain but is flying mission from its deployed base of Aviano Air Base, Italy.
Location: RAF FAIRFORD, GLOUCESTERSHIRE ENGLAND / GREAT BRITAIN (ENG)