 A B-1B Lancer assigned to the 37th Expeditionary Bomber Squadron conducted a hot pit refueling during exercise King Sword 23 at Masawa Air Base Japan to support Pacific Air Forces training efforts with allies, partners, and joint forces and strategic deterrent missions to reinforce the rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific region. King Sword 23 is the latest in a series of joint bilateral field training exercises designed to increase combat readiness and interoperability of the Japan Self-Defense Force and U.S. Forces. The first time a B-1 bomber from Ellsworth Air Force Base has been in Japan probably five years. Hot Pit Refuel essentially is a special refuel procedure that allows us to keep crew on board and two motors up while we refuel. It saves time on the ground, airframe hours, and maintenance hours as well. A hot pit refueling is useful because it allows us to essentially turn and burn those aircrafts and we get them back into fight.