IWAKUNI, Japan (Aug. 17, 2016) A U.S. Navy E-2C Hawkeye assigned to Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 115, with Carrier Air Wing 5, taxis into hot refueling pits at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 17, 2016. While passing through the air station for aircraft-based training, maintainers inspected and refueled the Hawkeyes before their retrograde back to Naval Air Facility Atusgi. The all-weather, carrier-based, tactical battle management airborne early warning command and control aircraft became operational in 1973 and underwent several upgrades. Variants of this aircraft are also flown by the Egyptian Air Force, Japanese Air Self-Defense Force, Republic of Singapore Air Force, Taiwan Air Force, and the French Navy. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Donato Maffin)