MacDill tanker refuels F-16s supporting first strike package to hit ISIL targets in Syria Published Sept. 24, 2014 By SSgt Adam C. Borgman 927th Air Refueling Wing / Public Affairs MacDill Air Force Base Florida -- The KC-135 Stratotanker has played an essential role in the bombing campaign against ISIL in the last month and a half. Of the 3,500 individual sorties flown since the campaign against ISIL began last month, more than one third of those have been flown by tankers. MacDill tankers are now supporting U.S. and coalition air efforts over Syria. Click here to watch a bomb-laden F-16 as it approaches the tanker to be refueled, and continue it's mission.