Southwest Asia Refueling

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon, deployed from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., receives fuel from a KC-10 Extender, deployed from Travis Air Force Base, Calif., over an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia April 1, 2013. Both aircraft are conducting missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Christina M. Styer/Released)

Southwest Asia Refueling

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon, deployed from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., pulls into position to accept fuel from a KC-10 Extender, deployed from Travis AFB, Calif., over an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia April 1, 2013. Both aircraft are conducting missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Christina M. Styer/Released)

Maintaining the Extender

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Steven Lynch, 380th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron flying crew chief, inspects the landing gear and Airman 1st Class Kevin Kahn, 380th EAMXS fuel systems apprentice, performs maintenance on the fuel system of a KC-10 Extender, deployed from McGuire AFB, N.J., at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia Mar. 29, 2013. Both Lynch and Kahn are deployed from Travis Air Force Base, Calif. The Extender has six fuel tanks that can carry more than 356,000 pounds of fuel. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Christina M. Styer/Released)

Maintaining the Extender

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Kevin Kahn, 380th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron fuel systems apprentice, deployed from Travis Air Force Base, Calif. performs maintenance on the fuel system of a KC-10 Extender, deployed from McGuire AFB, N.J., as another Extender takes off in the background at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia Mar. 29, 2013. The Extender can transport up to 75 people and nearly 170,000 pounds of cargo a distance of about 4,400 miles. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Christina M. Styer/Released)

908th EARS Refuels aircraft in fight

SOUTHWEST ASIA - Two Dutch F-16s fly beside a KC-10 Extender Sept. 18, 2012. The KC-10 can carry 170,000 pounds of cargo and more than 350,000 pounds of fuel. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Scott MacKay)

908th EARS Refuels aircraft in fight

SOUTHWEST ASIA - A Dutch F-16 aircraft is refueled by a KC-10 Extender from the 908th Expeditionary Aerial Refueling Squadron Sept. 18, 2012. The KC-10 is an advanced tanker and cargo aircraft designed to provide increased global mobility for U.S. armed forces. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Scott MacKay)