ARABIAN GULF (March 10, 2021) U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Ethan Hall, left, and Capt. Jacob Coffey, both MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft pilots assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 164 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), embarked with the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), perform tiltrotor air-to-air refueling (TAAR) with a U.S. Air Force MC-130H Combat Talon II aircraft, assigned to Air Force Special Operations Command, over the Arabian Gulf in support of Iron Defender 21. Iron Defender 21 is a bilateral maritime exercise with the United Arab Emirates Naval and Air Defense Forces designed to enhance interoperability and readiness, fortify military-to-military relationships and advance operational capabilities, allowing participating naval forces to effectively develop the necessary skills to address threats to regional security, freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jacob D. Bergh)