A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer assigned to the 37th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., approaches a 909th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker to conduct aerial refueling during a bomber task force mission over the South China Sea, May 31, 2024. Bomber missions contribute to joint force lethality and deter aggression in the Indo-Pacific by demonstrating the U.S. Air Force’s ability to operate anywhere in the world at any time. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tylir Meyer)