SPOKANE, Wash. - Nearby Fairchild Air Force Base is sending KC-135 refueling tankers to assist in aerial refueling for U.S. and allied fighter jets enforcing the Libya no-fly zone.

The 92nd Air Refueling Wing said five of the base's tankers left Saturday for North Africa, and another is due to leave Wednesday.

The tankers will be flown and maintained by Fairchild-based crews with the 92nd Air Refueling Wing and the 141st Air National Guard, according to The Spokesman-Review of Spokane.