OKINAWA
U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Kayla Mbaye, 909th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker pilot conducts a preflight check at Kadena Air Base.

(U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Arnet Tamayo)

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Kayla Mbaye, 909th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker pilot conducts a preflight check at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Dec. 18, 2025. The 909th ARS executes rapid deployment of KC-135s to support a multitude of Pacific Air Force missions, demonstrating Kadena’s commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

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