World War II veteran James K. Kunkle (left) shakes hands with Col. Andrew Malousek, 155th Air Refueling Wing vice commander, on the flight line of Central Coast Jet Center in Santa Maria, Calif., prior to the aircrew welcoming Kunkle aboard a Nebraska Air National Guard KC-135 Stratotanker for an orientation flight April 25, 2023. Kunkle served as a U.S. Army Air Corps pilot during World War II and flew P-38 and P-57 aircraft. Kunkle received the Distinguished Service Cross for engaging 20 German aircraft and downing two of them. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Shannon Nielsen)