U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Justin Paulson, 909th Air Refueling Squadron boom operator, refuels a U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II from the 356th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, 354th Air Expeditionary Wing, over the Pacific Ocean in support of Operation Iron Dagger, Dec. 8, 2021. Iron Dagger provides assurance to regional allies and partners, validates the ability to deploy 5th generation aircraft around the Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility and demonstrates interoperability in support of bilateral and joint operations.