as essential to the war effort as were c-130s, a-10s, and piloted reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft, they could not have completed their missions efficiently without aerial refueling. during the war in iraq, the air force deployed 200 tanker aircraft based at 15 locations. air national guard kc-135 tankers provided one-third of the air force refueling aircraft deployed for operation iraqi freedom, and an additional 35 ang tanker aircraft conducted air bridge operations.