KC 10 Extenders are the United States' primary aerial refueling planes in the war against ISIS. A CNN crew got to ride along on one.
KC 10 Extenders are the United States' primary aerial refueling planes in the war against ISIS. A CNN crew got to ride along on one.
Fred Pleitgen/CNN
The KC 10 prepares to refuel another plane. They're both flying about 400 mph.
The KC 10 prepares to refuel another plane. They're both flying about 400 mph.
Fred Pleitgen/CNN
The crew, led by Capt. Clark Palicka, has been flying almost nonstop for months.
The crew, led by Capt. Clark Palicka, has been flying almost nonstop for months.
Fred Pleitgen/CNN
Like the others involved in combat in the Middle East, the crew didn't make it home for Thanksgiving.
Like the others involved in combat in the Middle East, the crew didn't make it home for Thanksgiving.
Fred Pleitgen/CNN
The KC 10's refueling boom operator, Staff Sgt. Uriel Escamilla, is responsible for helping the jets hook up to the tanker.
The KC 10's refueling boom operator, Staff Sgt. Uriel Escamilla, is responsible for helping the jets hook up to the tanker.
Fred Pleitgen/CNN
With the time saved by refueling midair, combat jets can loiter around the battlefield for six to seven hours and fly multiple bombing runs.
With the time saved by refueling midair, combat jets can loiter around the battlefield for six to seven hours and fly multiple bombing runs.
Fred Pleitgen/CNN
"I think we are making a huge difference here," says co-pilot 1st Lt. Tyler Johnson.
"I think we are making a huge difference here," says co-pilot 1st Lt. Tyler Johnson.
Fred Pleitgen/CNN
The flying fuel stations can carry more than 300,000 pounds of fuel.
The flying fuel stations can carry more than 300,000 pounds of fuel.
Fred Pleitgen/CNN
The KC 10 can easily remain on missions for more than 10 hours, giving fuel to a wide range of aircraft.
The KC 10 can easily remain on missions for more than 10 hours, giving fuel to a wide range of aircraft.
Fred Pleitgen/CNN
The crew members say they are honored to be helping in the fight against ISIS.
The crew members say they are honored to be helping in the fight against ISIS.
Fred Pleitgen/CNN
Staff Sgt. John Loera, the KC 10's flight engineer, "Being away from family, they understand it, we enjoy it when I am home. But now is my time to be out here and I am just happy to be serving."
Staff Sgt. John Loera, the KC 10's flight engineer, "Being away from family, they understand it, we enjoy it when I am home. But now is my time to be out here and I am just happy to be serving."
Fred Pleitgen/CNN
"It's a dynamic airspace, a challenging environment. But it's also very rewarding flying," says Capt. Palicka.
"It's a dynamic airspace, a challenging environment. But it's also very rewarding flying," says Capt. Palicka.
Fred Pleitgen/CNN