US and Turkish KC-135 tanker crews came together earlier this month in the skies over Nevada to train together for the first time. Capt. David Puchalla, an instructor pilot with the 350th Air Refueling Squadron from McConnell AFB, Kan., flew with a Turkish crew from its 101st Air Refueling Squadron on March 8 as part of Red Flag 16-2 at Nellis AFB, Nev. Turkish air force Maj. Orcun Kus also flew with an American crew during the exercise. “I have no doubts about their ability to fuel the fight of the future,” Puchalla said in a release. “I have witnessed nothing but the best during my flights aboard their Stratotanker.” The exercise let the two crews see differences and similarities in how they operate, the release states.
Seven F-22 Raptor pilots have recently been awarded one of the military’s highest decorations for their actions during operations in the Middle East. Six of the pilots were decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross for their role in Operation Midnight Hammer, the June 2025 strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities.