A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker was seen conducting an aerial refueling operation with a U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet over the Middle East as part of Operation Epic Fury, the ongoing U.S.–Israeli campaign targeting Iranian military infrastructure.
The operation highlights the critical role of aerial refueling in sustaining long-range combat missions, allowing carrier-based and land-based aircraft to remain in the air for extended periods while conducting strikes, surveillance, and support missions across the region.
The F/A-18F Super Hornet, typically operating from U.S. Navy aircraft carriers such as the USS Abraham Lincoln, relies on tanker aircraft like the KC-135 to extend its operational range and maintain continuous strike capability during intensive air campaigns.
Aerial refueling operations have become a central component of Operation Epic Fury, enabling U.S. and allied aircraft to conduct high-tempo missions across vast distances while maintaining pressure on Iranian military targets.
