An E-3A Sentry early Airborne Warning And Control System (AWACS) aircraft receives more than 6,000 gallons of fuel over the Adriatic Sea before continuing its patrol around the Balkan region. The E-3s this one based at Geilenkirchen, Germany fly around the clock, as part of Operation JOINT FORGE, in support of ongoing NATO led Stabilization Force (SFOR) in the Balkans. This E-3 was refueled by a KC-135R Stratotanker from McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, temporarily based with the 16th Expeditionary Operations Group, a small US detachment located at Istres French air base, is charged with aerial refueling operations for US and NATO aircraft patrolling the Balkan region