U.S. Air Force refuels F-22s at Japan's Kadena Base

During the Beverly Beach 26‑1 readiness exercise at Kadena Air Base, Japan, U.S. Air Force airmen executed a forward arming and refueling point (FARP) operation that hot‑pit refueled an F‑22 Raptor while its engines were still running. Fuel was transferred from an MC‑130J Commando II to the fighter, cutting ground time and allowing the aircraft to return to its mission quickly. Senior Airman Cameron Brown noted that “fuel is the lifeblood of these aircraft,” emphasizing the importance of rapid turnaround.

The exercise tested the Air Force’s ability to sustain combat aircraft from expeditionary locations, validate rapid deployment concepts, and reinforce air‑power projection in the Pacific. It also demonstrated coordination among aircrew, maintainers and fuels personnel, supporting the United States’ strategy to maintain air superiority in the first island chain and respond swiftly to any regional contingency.