TSgt. Gary Z. Frederick, boom operator with the 100th Air Refueling Wing, RAF Mildenhall, England, positions the boom of a KC-135R Stratotanker to refuel a B-2 stealth bomber June 11. Four tankers refueled the B-2 with a total of 169,000 pounds (or 26,000 gallons) of fuel.

The bomber was completing its first overseas global power mission to Europe and made a brief stop at the Paris Air Show before returning to its home station at Whiteman AFB, Mo. A boom, projecting from a 351st Air Refueling Squadron KC-135R Stratotanker assigned to RAF Mildenhall, England, is lowered to refuel a B-2 stealth bomber over the North Sea June 11. The bomber marked another milestone in its short history as it completed its first overseas global power mission to Europe. The aircraft landed at Le Bourget Airport for the Paris Air Show before returning to its home station at Whiteman AFB, Mo.

Mildenhall's 100th Air Refueling Wing took part in B-2 stealth bomber development June 11 when tankers refueled the Air Force's newest aircraft as it completed its first global power mission to Europe before making a brief appearance at the Paris Air Show. According to Air Combat Command officials, the flight proved the B-2 can provide a global presence within hours, taking off from bases in the United States, delivering the necessary firepower, and returning with aerial refueling. 

"The B-2 Spirit is a primary example of the United States' continuing leadership in advanced aviation technology, and represents the future, unprecedented capabilities of the Air Force to provide a global presence, carrying massive firepower to anywhere in the world in a matter of hours," an official said.

KC-135R Stratotankers from the 351st Air Refueling Squadron refueled the B-2 twice, both times over the North Sea off the coast of England. The B-2 left Whiteman AFB, Mo., June 10, heading for the Vliehors Bombing Range in the Netherlands for a simulated bombing run the next day.