A U.S. Air Force B1-B Lancer approaches a KC-135 Stratotanker during a mission from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, into Japanese air space August 31, 2017. Two B1-Bs, with U.S. Marine Corps’ F-35Bs, made contact with Koku Jieitai (Japan Air Self-Defense Force) aircraft over waters near Kyushu, and then were joined by Republic of Korea aircraft over the Korean Peninsula. This mission is in direct response to North Korea’s intermediate range ballistic missile launch and emphasizes the combined ironclad commitment to regional allies and partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman John Linzmeier)