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.
ACC Unveils New Way to Measure Readiness
May 9, 2025
Air Combat Command is changing how it measures and tracks readiness for its fleet of aircraft, with a top general saying the focus is on “simplicity” and better articulating what its wings need.