A refuelling operation above the Mediterranean sea as part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Nato) Unified Protector operation over Libya. Deploying probes from their noses to connect with the hose some 7,600 meters (25,000 feet) above the sea, the aircraft cruised at 300 knots (555 kilometers per hour) before separating less than 10 minutes later. This routine yet vital task is what allows Nato to keep sending steady streams of fighters into Libya to maintain pressure on Muammar Qadhafi, whose military has been left in pieces but remains in power despite daily bombings. - Photos by AFP