A B-2 Spirit lands at Royal Air Force Fairford, England, June 7, 2015, to conduct a hot-pit refueling and engine-running crew change in a forward deployed scenario. The base serves as a vital staging location for aircraft and personnel operating out of the European area of operations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Malia Jenkins)
A B-2 Spirit taxis to a hot-pit refueling after landing at Royal Air Force Fairford, England, June 7, 2015. The B-2 provides the penetrating flexibility and effectiveness inherent in manned bombers. Conducting the hot-pit refueling at RAF Fairford showcased the capability of the aircraft to forward deploy and deliver conventional and nuclear deterrence anytime and anywhere. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Malia Jenkins)
A 509th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief guides a B-2 Spirit into a hot-pit refueling at Royal Air Force Fairford, England, June 7, 2015. The B-2 provides the penetrating flexibility and effectiveness inherent in manned bombers. Conducting the hot-pit refueling at RAF Fairford showcased the capability of the aircraft to forward deploy and deliver conventional and nuclear deterrence anytime and anywhere. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Malia Jenkins)
Two B-2 Spirits are prepared for refueling by 509th and 131st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chiefs at Royal Air Force Fairford, England, June 7, 2015. The B-2 provides the penetrating flexibility and effectiveness inherent in manned bombers. Its low-observable, or “stealth,” characteristics give it the unique ability to bypass an enemy’s most sophisticated defenses. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Malia Jenkins)
509th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chiefs prepare a B-2 Spirit for a hot-pit refueling at Royal Air Force Fairford, England, June 7, 2015. This event also showcased the alliance between active duty and Air National Guard Airmen from the 131st Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, MO, who coordinated the B-2’s presence in the European area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Malia Jenkins)
509th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chiefs discuss refueling a B-2 Spirit at Royal Air Force Fairford, England, June 7, 2015. This event also showcased the alliance between active duty and Air National Guard Airmen from the 131st Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, MO, who coordinated the B-2’s presence in the European area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Malia Jenkins)
A 509th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief oversees B-2 Spirit refueling at Royal Air Force Fairford, England, June 7, 2015. The B-2 provides the penetrating flexibility and effectiveness inherent in manned bombers. Its low-observable, or “stealth,” characteristics give it the unique ability to penetrate an enemy’s most sophisticated defenses. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Malia Jenkins)
A 509th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief cares a ladder to a B-2 Spirit to prep the aircraft for refueling at Royal Air Force Fairford, England, June 7, 2015. A hot-pit refueling was conducted after the B-2 Spirit landed on RAF Fairford, England, showcasing the capability of the aircraft to forward deploy and deliver conventional and nuclear deterrence anytime and anywhere. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Malia Jenkins)
509th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chiefs prepare to move a pantograph fuel pipe into position to refuel a B-2 Spirit at Royal Air Force Fairford, England, June 7, 2015. This event also showcased the alliance between active duty and Air National Guard Airmen from the 131st Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, MO, who coordinated the B-2’s presence in the European area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Malia Jenkins)
A B-2 Spirit prepares to taxi after a hot-pit refueling at Royal Air Force Fairford, England, June 7, 2015. This event also showcased the alliance between active duty and Air National Guard Airmen from the 131st Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, MO, who coordinated the B-2’s presence in the European area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Malia Jenkins)
A B-2 Spirit takes off after a hot-pit refueling at Royal Air Force Fairford, England, June 7, 2015. The B-2 provides the penetrating flexibility and effectiveness inherent in manned bombers. Its low-observable, or “stealth,” characteristics give it the unique ability to penetrate an enemy’s most sophisticated defenses. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Malia Jenkins)
A B-2 Spirit lands at Royal Air Force Fairford, England, June 7, 2015. The 509th and 131st Bomb Wing crew chiefs and aircrews conducted a hot-pit refueling and engine running crew change on the B-2 Spirit while it was at RAF Fairford to test the valuable skills of refueling the aircraft and changing air crew in a forward deployed location. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Christopher Mesnard)
Two B-2 Spirits taxi to a hot-pit refueling and engine running crew change after landing at Royal Air Force Fairford, England, June 7, 2015. The two aircraft traveled from Whiteman Air Force Base to RAF Fairford, England, an installation capable of supporting the aircraft and these vital activities due to its forward location and infrastructure. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Christopher Mesnard)
A B-2 Spirit taxis to a hot-pit refueling and engine running crew change after landing at Royal Air Force Fairford, England, June 7, 2015, testing the aircraft, ground crews and aircrews’ abilities to conduct these skills while forward deployed. The B-2 Spirit is a multi-role bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions around the world, as a part of Department of Defense’s strategic bomber capability which can strike anywhere and anytime. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Christopher Mesnard)
Two B-2 Spirits await refueling on the flightline at Royal Air Force Fairford, England, June 7, 2015 as a hot-pit refueling and an engine-running crew change occur. The two skills were tested at RAF Fairford highlighting the ability of the aircraft to forward deploy and deliver conventional and nuclear deterrence anytime and anywhere. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Christopher Mesnard)