Up close and personal. With an F-16 Fighting Falcon only 20 feet away, fuel flows from a KC-135 through its boom to the multi-purpose fighter. “Air refueling requires the ability to fly formation in a certain position,” said Maj. Brad Balazs, an F-16 instructor attached to the 152nd Fighter Squadron at the 162nd Wing in Tucson, Ariz. “Chances are good that if you can't fly formation correctly, you probably aren't going to be able to master the more difficult tactical skill sets.” (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Hampton Stramler/Released)