A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer receives fuel from a KC-135

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker during a mission from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, into Japanese air space and over the Korean Peninsula, Aug. 31, 2017. After refueling, the B-1Bs, with U.S. Marine Corps’ F-35Bs, made contact with two Koku Jieitai (Japan Air Self-Defense Force) F-15J fighters over waters near Kyushu, and then were joined by four Republic of Korea F-15 fighters over the Korean Peninsula. This mission is in direct response to North Korea’s intermediate range ballistic missile launch and emphasizes the combined ironclad commitment to regional allies and partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joshua Smoot)