Fueling the Fight: 35th Maintenance Squadron Conducts Nestable Fuel Tank Build Up Training

U.S. Air Force Airmen assemble external fuel tanks during Nestable Fuel Tank Build Up (NFTBU) training at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Aug. 25, 2026. The training expands the number of personnel capable of supporting fuel tank production, strengthening the 35th Fighter Wing’s ability to sustain combat airpower and meet operational demands across the Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Angelica Winther)

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Fueling the Fight: 35th Maintenance Squadron Conducts Nestable Fuel Tank Build Up Training

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Christopher Perez-Vasquez, 35th Maintenance Squadron (MXS) aerospace propulsion apprentice, left, and Airman 1st Class Johan Coello Cano, 35th MXS electrical and environmental specialist, file a fin to ensure proper fitment to an F-16 Fighting Falcon external fuel tank during Nestable Fuel Tank Build Up (NFTBU) training at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Aug. 25, 2026. NFTBU training equips Airmen outside the fuel systems specialty to augment maintenance operations, expanding the 35th Fighter Wing’s capacity to sustain combat-ready aircraft during high-tempo operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Angelica Winther)

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Fueling the Fight: 35th Maintenance Squadron Conducts Nestable Fuel Tank Build Up Training

U.S. Air Force Airmen fit a fin onto an external fuel tank during Nestable Fuel Tank Build Up (NFTBU) training at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Aug. 25, 2026. The training builds the multi-capable maintenance force needed to rapidly replenish external fuel tanks and sustain the 35th Fighter Wing’s combat airpower in support of operational demands across the Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Angelica Winther)

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Fueling the Fight: 35th Maintenance Squadron Conducts Nestable Fuel Tank Build Up Training

U.S. Air Force Airman secure components inside an external fuel tank during Nestable Fuel Tank Build Up (NFTBU) training at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Aug. 25, 2026. NFTBU training prepares personnel to rapidly assemble replacement fuel tanks, helping maintain aircraft availability and sustain combat operations across the Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Angelica Winther)

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Fueling the Fight: 35th Maintenance Squadron Conducts Nestable Fuel Tank Build Up Training

U.S. Air Force Airman Michael Vargas Chavez, 35th Maintenance Squadron aerospace ground equipment specialist, tightens hardware on an external fuel tank during Nestable Fuel Tank Build Up (NFTBU) training at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Aug. 25, 2026. By training maintainers from multiple specialties to support fuel tank assembly, NFTBU increases maintenance flexibility and strengthens the 35th Fighter Wing’s ability to generate combat airpower across the Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Angelica Winther)

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Fueling the Fight: 35th Maintenance Squadron Conducts Nestable Fuel Tank Build Up Training

U.S. Air Force Airmen review technical orders while assembling external fuel tank components during Nestable Fuel Tank Build Up (NFTBU) training at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Aug. 26, 2026. Hands-on NFTBU training develops a broader pool of qualified personnel capable of augmenting Fuel Systems, increasing the 35th Fighter Wing’s ability to sustain maintenance operations and generate combat-ready aircraft across the Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Angelica Winther)

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Fueling the Fight: 35th Maintenance Squadron Conducts Nestable Fuel Tank Build Up Training

U.S. Air Force Airmen assemble external fuel tank components during Nestable Fuel Tank Build Up (NFTBU) training at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Aug. 26, 2026. The five-day training prepares Airmen outside the Fuel Systems specialty to augment fuel tank production during increased demand, expanding the 35th Fighter Wing’s capacity to sustain combat airpower and meet operational demands across the Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Angelica Winther)

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Fueling the Fight: 35th Maintenance Squadron Conducts Nestable Fuel Tank Build Up Training

Published Aug. 27, 2026
By Airman 1st Class Angelica Winther
35th Fighter Wing

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --

The five-day training prepares Airmen outside the Fuel Systems specialty to augment fuel tank production during increased demand, expanding the 35th Fighter Wing’s capacity to sustain combat airpower and meet operational demands across the Pacific.