Fairchild Air Force Base demonstrates rapid generation capabilities during Royal Flush

Senior Airman Phillip Fowler, an in-flight refueling specialist assigned to the 92nd Air Refueling Squadron, guides a K-loader to a KC-135 Stratotanker during exercise Royal Flush at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, April 29, 2024. In-flight refueling specialists ensured the aircraft were properly loaded, inspected and equipped prior to takeoff. Royal Flush was a two-part Air Mobility Command readiness exercise that evaluated the ability to rapidly respond and execute mobility fundamentals and non-standard techniques to provide global mobility at a moment’s notice. In a 72-hour period, Fairchild AFB launched 44 KC-135 sorties. This exercise represents a shift from day-to-day aerial refueling missions and planned deployments, to a time when forces could be required to launch all available assets and personnel within days’ notice. As the world’s largest tanker fleet, Team Fairchild would be among the first units to respond to any global contingency. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Stassney Davis)