Out of This World

Video by Staff Sgt. Jacob Wongwai

Broll: US, Morocco conduct air-to-air refueling night operations at African Lion 2025

U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa

May 21, 2025 | 2:59

U.S. Airmen assigned to the 121st Air Refueling Wing, Ohio Air National Guard, based in Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Ohio, conduct a simulated air-to-air refueling night operation in a U.S. Air Force KC-135R Stratotanker with Royal Moroccan Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons during African Lion 2025 (AL25) in Marrakesh, Morocco, May 21, 2025. The training operation tested U.S. and Moroccan forces in a way that enhanced their mission readiness and refined their ability to operate together in any environment—day or night. AL25, the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF,) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win. (U.S. Air Force video by Staff Sgt. Jacob Wongwai)

Shot List:

1. (00:00:00) CLOSE UP SHOT: U.S. Tech. Sgt. Tyler Simmons, a boom operator assigned to the 166th Air Refueling Squadron, 121st Air Refueling Wing, Ohio National Guard, checks the refueling system before conducting air-to-air refueling.
2. (00:06:00) CLOSE UP SHOT: Simmons checks the refueling system before conducting air-to-air refueling.
3. (00:13:00) MEDIUM SHOT: Simmons checks the refueling system before conducting air-to-air refueling.
4. (00:20:00) CLOSE UP SHOT: Simmons is using the joystick to check the refueling system before conducting air-to-air refueling.
5. (00:26:00) MEDIUM TRACKING SHOT: U.S. Master Sgt. James Hayhurst, an instructor boom operator assigned to the 166th ARS, 121st ARW, Ohio National Guard, helps Simmons on checking the refueling system before conducting air-to-air refueling.
6. (00:41:00) CLOSE UP SHOT: Hayhurst helps Simmons check the refueling system before conducting air-to-air refueling.
7. (00:49:00) CLOSE UP SHOT: Royal Moroccan Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon flies next to a U.S. Air Force KC-135R during air-to-air refueling.
8. (00:59:00) MEDIUM SHOT: Two Royal Moroccan Air Force F-16s fly next to a KC-135
9. (01:10:00) CLOSE UP TO MEDIUM SHOT: Simmons conducts air-to-air refueling with a Royal Moroccan Air Force F-16
10. (01:17:00) MEDIUM SHOT: Royal Moroccan Air Force F-16 simulates receiving fuel during air-to-air refueling.
11. (01:33:00) EXTREME CLOSE UP SHOT: A reflection from the glasses of Simmons who's conducting air-to-air refueling for a Royal Moroccan Air Force F-16.
12. (01:48:00) MEDIUM SHOT: Royal Moroccan Air Force F-16 flies up to a KC-135 for air-to-air refueling.
13. (01:53:00) CLOSE UP SHOT: Royal Moroccan Air Force F-16 simulates receiving fuel during air-to-air refueling.
14. (01:58:00) CLOSE UP SHOT: Royal Moroccan Air Force F-16 flies up to a KC-135 for air-to-air refueling.
15. (02:26:00) MEDIUM SHOT: Royal Moroccan Air Force F-16 simulates receiving fuel during air-to-air refueling at sunset.
16. (02:39:00) CLOSE UP SHOT: Royal Moroccan Air Force F-16 flies up to a KC-135 for air-to-air refueling at sunset.
17. (02:47:00) MEDIUM SHOT: Royal Moroccan Air Force F-16 simulates receiving fuel during air-to-air refueling at night.
18. (02:55:00) MEDIUM SHOT: Royal Moroccan Air Force F-16 flies up to a KC-135 for air-to-air refueling at night.