Bats Fuel the Bone Over South Dakota

185th Air Refueling Wing, Iowa Air National Guard
Story by Staff Sgt. John Johnson

Date: 09.16.2026
Posted: 09.16.2026 11:21
News ID: 574861
Bats Fuel the Bone over South Dakota

SIOUX CITY, Iowa — Airmen assigned to the Iowa Air National Guard’s 185th Air Refueling Wing conducted aerial refueling training with a B-1B Lancer over South Dakota, Sept. 15, 2026.

A KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 185th ARW departed Sioux City for aerial refueling training with a B-1B assigned to the 28th Bomb Wing at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota.

During the training, boom operators assigned to the 174th Air Refueling Squadron worked from the rear of the KC-135 to guide the refueling boom into position and transfer fuel to the bomber.

Airman Basic Levi Anderson and Tech. Sgt. David Asbra, both boom operators assigned to the 174th ARS, participated in the aerial refueling operation.

Training with different receiver aircraft allows KC-135 aircrews to maintain proficiency in the procedures required to safely conduct aerial refueling missions.

The 185th ARW operates the KC-135 Stratotanker from Sioux City, providing aerial refueling capability in support of U.S. and allied aircraft.