Two KC-135 Stratotankers from the 126th Air Refueling Wing, Illinois Air National Guard, are participating in the multinational Clear Sky 2018 training exercise in Ukraine.

The Clear Sky 18’s training is intended to increase the level of interoperability of the Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with the Air Forces of the US and NATO, work out effective joint management of operations in the air, and designed to help Ukraine and other allied partners enhance regional capabilities to secure air sovereignty.

The 126 ARW, part of the Illinois Air National Guard, is participating in the multinational training exercise provides in-flight refueling mission with Polish and Romanian F-16s and U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagles.

Two KC-135 Stratotankers from the 126th Air Refueling Wing carries out in-flight refueling missions with fighter jets from partner countries and the US Air Force in the skies over Romania and Ukraine.

The primary mission of the 126th Air Refueling Wing is to provide air refueling support to major commands of the Air Force as well as other U.S. military forces and the military forces of allied nations.

In addition to air-to-air refueling of military aircraft, the unit provides trained, capable men and women who are ready to defend US nation and partners anywhere in the world; to protect state through civil defense and disaster relief; and to serve in the surrounding communities.