A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker refuels a F-16 Fighting Falcon in the skies over New Mexico as part of Exercise Roving Sands '97 on April 21, 1997. The two F-16's are topping off their fuel tanks before beginning a bombing mission. More than 20,000 service members from all branches of the armed forces of the U.S., Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands are participating in Exercise Roving Sands '97. The exercise is designed to refine their skills in operations using an integrated air defense network of ground, missile and radar early warning systems combined with tactical fighter and bomber aircraft operating in a simulated high-threat environment. The Stratotanker is deployed from the 319th Air Refueling Wing, Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D. The Fighting Falcons are operating out of the 524th Fighter Squadron, Cannon Air Force Base, N.M.
Senior Airman Jeffrey Allen, U.S. Air Force
Taken on 21 April 1997
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