U.S., Japanese forces strengthen bilateral readiness through hot-pit refueling during Keen Sword 27
HACHINOHE AIR BASE, Japan — U.S. Air Force Airmen and Japan Air Self-Defense Forces airmen conducted bilateral hot-pit refueling operations at a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force installation in Hachinohe Air Base, Japan, Oct. 19-21, 2026, during Exercise Keen Sword 27, strengthening their ability to sustain fighter operations through allied cooperation.
The operation involved U.S. Air Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-35A Lightning II and U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft, highlighting how allied forces can leverage shared resources and capabilities to support Agile Combat Employment. Through these refueling operations, both nations strengthened their ability to coordinate and sustain airpower from dispersed locations, enhancing operational flexibility and bilateral readiness.
"We showed the capability that our allies are a force multiplier," said U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Daniel Marrufo, 35th Fighter Wing plans and programs chief of wing combat plans.
Hot pit refueling allows aircraft to receive fuel while their engines remain running, reducing turnaround times and enabling crews to prepare aircraft for subsequent flights more efficiently.
According to U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Piaget Brown, 13th Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief, the process eliminates the need for a complete aircraft shutdown, allowing crews to return aircraft to flight operations sooner.
Beyond improving turnaround times, the training strengthened interoperability between U.S. and Japanese forces as personnel adapted to differences in communication and operating procedures. By leveraging their shared technical expertise, both teams refined their coordination and demonstrated their ability to work together to accomplish a common mission.
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Heaven Holt, 13th AMU crew chief, explained how repetition improved the team’s their coordination and efficiency throughout the event.
"You have two like-minded people coming together to complete a mission," Holt said. "You can see that there is focus and determination to get it done."
The teams also continued operations despite rainy conditions, providing an opportunity to practice sustaining the mission in less-than-ideal weather.
"We were able to work and execute this together as a team and both sides showed that we're able to help each other out," Marrufo said.
KS27 is a routine, biennial bilateral field training exercise with multinational participation, designed to increase readiness and interoperability between the U.S. military and Japan Self-Defense Forces while strengthening the U.S.-Japan Alliance.
This training demonstrated how shared resources, established relationships and practical experience can improve bilateral coordination, supporting the readiness of both forces to defend Japan and contributing to credible deterrence in the Indo-Pacific.
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