Travis AFB sends KC-46 across the Pacific to train with Misawa F-16s 

18 June 2025

From Senior Airman Robert Nichols, 60th Air Mobility Wing

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. — This past week, aircrews assigned to the 9th Air Refueling Wing and 60th Air Mobility Wing flew a KC-46A Pegasus to Misawa Air Base, Japan, showcasing the indispensable role of air refueling during an off-station training in support of F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 14th Fighter Squadron (FS).

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A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 14th Fighter Squadron flies near Misawa Air Base, June 5, 2025. The 14th Fighter Squadron has a proud heritage dating back to World War II. They function primarily in a support role, ready to attack to defend against any threat in the Pacific theater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Robert Nichols)

U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 14th Fighter Squadron fly in formation waiting to refuel during an off-station training near Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 3, 2025. The F-16s were refueled by a KC-46A Pegasus assigned to the 60th Air Mobility Wing as part of an exercise to demonstrate its capability to traverse the Pacific Ocean and deliver fuel to fighters in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Robert Nichols)

A KC-46 refuels F-16s as seen from an F-16 cockpit

U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 14th Fighter Squadron fly in formation after receiving fuel from a KC-46A Pegasus assigned to the 60th Air Mobility Wing during an off-station training near Misawa Air Base, June 5, 2025. The training offered an opportunity to strengthen relationships throughout the Indo-Pacific region and increase air refueling capabilities and familiarity with different airfields and operations around that region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Robert Nichols)

U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 14th Fighter Squadron receive fuel from a KC-46A Pegasus assigned to the 60th Air Mobility Wing during an off-station training near Misawa Air Base, June 5, 2025. Air refueling serves as a force multiplier, enabling aircraft to extend their operational endurance beyond their unrefueled ranges. This capability is indispensable for global strike and mobility operations, particularly in the Indo-Pacific theater where it is essential for mission execution. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Robert Nichols)

U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 14th Fighter Squadron fly in formation waiting to refuel during an off-station training near Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 2, 2025. The F-16s were refueled by a KC-46A Pegasus assigned to the 60th Air Mobility Wing as part of an exercise to demonstrate its capability to traverse the Pacific Ocean and deliver fuel to fighters in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Robert Nichols)

A pilot's hand reaches for controls in the flight deck of a KC-46

U.S. Air Force Capt. Jeff Schafer, 9th Air Refueling Squadron pilot, operates radio controls while flying a KC-46A Pegasus during an off-station training near Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 3, 2025. The KC-46 traversed the Pacific Ocean and refueled aircraft upon arrival in Japanese air space, demonstrating world-wide mission capability to extend operational readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Robert Nichols)

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 14th Fighter Squadron flies during an off-station training near Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 3, 2025. The 14th FS conduct training operations consistently in Japanese air space, maintaining mission readiness and projecting air power superiority. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Robert Nichols)

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 14th Fighter Squadron receives fuel from a KC-46A Pegasus assigned to the 60th Air Mobility Wing during an off-station training near Misawa Air Base, June 5, 2025. Air refueling serves as a force multiplier, enabling aircraft to extend their operational endurance beyond their unrefueled ranges. This capability is indispensable for global strike and mobility operations, particularly in the Indo-Pacific theater where it is essential for mission execution. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Robert Nichols)

Airmen pose for a photo in front of a KC-46

U.S. Airmen assigned to the 9th Air Refueling Wing and 60th Air Mobility Wing stand in front of a KC-46A Pegasus on the flightline at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 6, 2025. As part of an off-station training, F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 14th Fighter Squadron were refueled by a KC-46 to demonstrate the KC-46's capability to traverse the Pacific Ocean and deliver fuel to fighters in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Robert Nichols)

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 14th Fighter Squadron flies near Misawa Air Base, June 5, 2025. The 14th Fighter Squadron has a long heritage dating back to World War II. They function primarily in a support role, ready to attack and defend against any threat in the Pacific theater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Robert Nichols)

Flight deck of a KC-46 is shown with 2 pilots

U.S. Air Force Capt. Quinn Sturgis, left, 60th Air Mobility Wing readiness chief, and Capt. Jeff Schafer, 9th Air Refueling Squadron pilot, fly a KC-46A Pegasus during an off-station training near Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 3, 2025. The KC-46 traversed the Pacific Ocean and refueled aircraft upon arrival in Japanese air space, demonstrating world-wide mission capability to extend operational readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Robert Nichols)

An F-16 is refueled by a KC-46 as seen from the cockpit of an F-16

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 14th Fighter Squadron receives fuel from a KC-46A Pegasus assigned to the 60th Air Mobility Wing during an off-station training near Misawa Air Base, June 5, 2025. The training offered an opportunity to strengthen relationships throughout the Indo-Pacific region and increase air refueling capabilities and familiarity with different airfields and operations around that region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Robert Nichols)

As the demands of modern warfare evolve and the need for global reach remains at the forefront of the U.S. Air Force’s strategic priorities, aerial refueling continues to serve as the critical enabler of air superiority. This past week, aircrews assigned to the 9th Air Refueling Wing and 60th Air Mobility Wing flew a KC-46A Pegasus to Misawa Air Base, Japan, showcasing the indispensable role of air refueling during an off-station training in support of F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 14th Fighter Squadron (FS).

SLIDESHOW | 15 images | 250605-F-RX751-1059 U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 14th Fighter Squadron fly in formation after receiving fuel from a KC-46A Pegasus assigned to the 60th Air Mobility Wing during an off-station training near Misawa Air Base, June 5, 2025. The training offered an opportunity to strengthen relationships throughout the Indo-Pacific region and increase air refueling capabilities and familiarity with different airfields and operations around that region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Robert Nichols)

The trans-Pacific mission was part of a broader readiness exercise designed to enhance the 14th FS’s operational agility and validate rapid deployment capabilities across the Indo-Pacific region. The KC-46, the newest tanker aircraft in the Department of Defense, with advanced refueling systems and defensive capabilities, delivered critical fuel support to the F-16’s midair – extending their range, preserving their combat readiness and reinforcing the Air Force’s commitment to global power projection.

“Distance is the greatest challenge to projecting power in the Pacific,” said Lt. Col. Bradford Waldie, 14th FS director of operations. “Having a tanker available on short notice not only prolongs mission capability, but in many combat scenarios we face, having a tanker available is absolutely required for mission success. Seeing the KC-46 successfully launch from Travis [AFB] and meet us on time after a 10-hour sortie builds confidence in our ability to overcome the challenge of distance and deliver combat power anywhere it is required in the area of responsibility.”

SLIDESHOW | 15 images | 250605-F-RX751-1070 A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 14th Fighter Squadron flies near Misawa Air Base, June 5, 2025. The 14th Fighter Squadron has a long heritage dating back to World War II. They function primarily in a support role, ready to attack and defend against any threat in the Pacific theater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Robert Nichols)

The 14th FS, part of the 35th Fighter Wing at Misawa AB, operates at the tip of the spear in the Indo-Pacific. As tensions and contingencies in the region continue to shift, the ability to reposition fighters rapidly and keep them fueled in flight has become a cornerstone of Pacific Air Forces’ (PACAF) theater strategy.

This mission also strengthened interoperability between Air Mobility Command and PACAF. A strong partnership ensures assets are available and strategically postured to enable distributed air operations in the face of contested logistics and anti-access threats.

In his May 29, 2025, commencement address at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink emphasized the strategic significance of the Indo-Pacific region—and by extension, missions like the KC-46 refueling deployment from Travis AFB to Misawa AB.

"Class of 2025… The Indo-Pacific will be your generation's fight, and you will deliver the most lethal force that has ever existed to that fight," Meink said. 

This declaration underscores how essential the capabilities of air mobility and aerial refueling are to fulfilling the Air Force’s core priorities of global strike, rapid global mobility and air superiority—particularly in ensuring that combat units remain fueled, agile and ready across the volatile Indo-Pacific theater.