210512-F-MG692-0392
A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor assigned to Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, departs a KC-135 Stratotanker boom after receiving fuel over the Gulf of Mexico during Checkered Flag 21-2, May 12, 2021. Checkered Flag is a large-force aerial exercise held at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, which fosters readiness and interoperability through the incorporation of fourth and fifth-generation aircraft in combat training. The 21-2 iteration of the exercise was held May 10-21, 2021 (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Stefan Alvarez)