RAF MILDENHALL -- Royal Air Force Mildenhall provided air refueling supported for U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon's assigned to the 31st Fighter Wing during exercise Astral Knight 21 over the Adriatic Sea, May 18, 2021. The Wing provides critical inflight refueling for all U.S. and NATO forces in EUCOM and AFRICOM. The Wing’s forward-based response capabilities enable America's Global Vigilance, Reach and Power and enables Global Strike and Rapid Global Mobility.
Astral Knight 21 is a multinational exercise involving the U.S. military members and members from Albania, Croatia, Greece, Italy and Slovenia. AK21 aims to enhance the command and control integration, coordination and interoperability of air, land and sea capabilities, and overlapping operations into the integrated air and missile defense enterprise. Participation in multinational exercises enhances professional relationships and improves overall coordination with allies and partner militaries during times of crisis.