A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron refuels a U.S. Air Force RC-135W Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft from the 82nd Intelligence Squadron near Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 24, 2014. The 909th ARS is an essential component to the mid-air refueling of a multitude of aircraft ranging from fighter jets to cargo planes from different services and nations in the region. The 909th ARS and 82nd IS are stationed at Kadena Air Base, Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Maeson L. Elleman)