U.S. Navy Hornet refuels from a U.S. Air Force Stratotanker over the Persian Gulf.
A U.S. Navy F/A-18 Hornet hooks into the drogue receptacle and begins to receive fuel during an in-flight refueling from a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker on Aug. 27, 1996, over the Persian Gulf. The Hornet is patrolling the no-fly zone in Southern Iraq as part of Operation Southern Watch. The Hornet is operating from the flight deck of the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). The Carl Vinson and its battle group are operating in the Persian Gulf where they are conducting air patrols in support of Southern Watch. The Stratotanker, from the 4408 Air Refueling Squadron, is operating from Prince Sultan Air Base, Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia.