Air Force Exercises and Briefings

Capturing moments from Air Force exercises, including pilot briefings, command ceremonies, and aerial operations, demonstrating teamwork and military readiness.

Texas ANG 181st Operations Squadron Pilot, Maj Daryl Howard Briefs Army Jump Team before take off during Falcon Leap Exercise Sep. 13, 2022 in Eindhoven, Netherlands. Falcon Leap 2022 is a part of the remembrance ceremonies for Operation Market Gardens anniversary and is currently NATOs largest technical airborne exercise.

Texas ANG 181st Operations Squadron Pilot, Maj Daryl Howard Briefs Army Jump Team before take off during Falcon Leap Exercise Sep. 13, 2022 in Eindhoven, Netherlands. Falcon Leap 2022 is a part of the remembrance ceremonies for Operation Market Gardens anniversary and is currently NATOs largest technical airborne exercise.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Keaton Watts, 71st Rescue Squadron loadmaster instructor, briefs Maj. Gen. Bret C. Larson, 22nd Air Force commander, on Forward Area Refueling Point operations during a FARP demo at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, June 6, 2022. The 23rd Logistics Readiness Squadron has an agile FARP team that refuels aircraft in austere locations. The demo allowed for leaders of the 22nd Air Force to see first-hand how important the swift action of a FARP team is in agile combat employment locations.

Maj. Gen. Jeffrey T. Pennington, 4th Air Force commander, takes a selfie with Capt. Jarad Reddekopp, 349th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron flight nurse, during his visit July 9, 2022, at Travis Air Force Base, Calif. The opportunity allowed the 349th Air Mobility Wing to showcase its people, mission, accomplishments, and innovation efforts.

Col. Joseph Romeo assumes command of the 349th Operations Group during a ceremony on January 06, 2024, at Travis Air Force Base, California. During his career, Romeo has filled various operational and staff assignments in the squadron, group and Numbered Air Force.

Lt. Col. Ian Bass (right), 5th Flying Training Squadron Assistant director of operations and T-6 instructor pilot, receives a congratulatory welcome from colleagues after completing his flight and reaching an aviation milestone: 5,000 hours of flight time in a T-6 Texan II, on Aug. 30, 2022, at Vance Air Force Base, Okla. Bass is the first to accomplish that goal at the 5th FTS.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col Steven Whitson, Detachment 1 commander, briefs Col. Chris Robinson, 375th Air Mobility Wing commander and Chief Master Sgt. Thomas Blount, 375th Air Mobility Wing command chief at Det 1, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on May 24, 2022. The commander and command chief were at the detachment for a quarterly visit.

U.S. Air Force Col. Joseph Turnham, 355th Wing commander, completes pre-flight inspections on the flight line at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, June 30, 2022. Col. Turnham served as commander from June 2020 to June 2022.

U.S. Air Force Capt. Nate Amidon, a 535th Airlift Squadron pilot, conducts a pre-flight crew briefing at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, before departing on a humanitarian mission to Japan on March 12, 2011. The aircrew will fly to various Air Force bases in Japan during its mission to provide support for Japan relief efforts in the wake of tsunami and earthquake damage there.

Attendees of the Mobility Air Force Data Link Users Group discuss community airframe updates and future data link capabilities during break-out sessions at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base, Missouri, February 8, 2024. During the event, hosted by the Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center, more than 100 subject matter experts gathered to discuss tactical data link and attend briefings from some of the top leaders in the field. Data Link provides the capability for air and ground crews to be able to establish and maintain tactical coordination anywhere in the world. Air National Guard

Coast Guard Structures - Air Stations - Operations - 26-HK-96-49. AIRSTA OPS--CAPT David Callahan (CO, ATC Mobile) talking with CG personnel outside building (3). Hurricane Katrina

Airmen representing the 153rd Medical Group, Wyoming Air National Guard, 124th Medical Group, Idaho Air National Guard, 159th Medical Group, Louisiana Air National Guard, and Rocky Vista University medical students practice patient loading on a C-130H Hercules aircraft, Oct. 23, 2015 in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The participants completed Critical Care Air Transport Team training with members of the 187th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron to hone patient care skills with aircraft awareness.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Ryan Yingling, U.S. Air Force Thunderbird operations officer, left, gives a briefing to the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds prior to launching during The Great Texas Airshow, Apr. 22, 2022, at JBSA-Randolph, Texas. The Great Texas Airshow, featuring the Thunderbirds, is scheduled for April 23 thru 24 at JBSA-Randolph. The Thunderbirds perform for people all around the world to display the pride, precision and professionalism the U.S. Air Force represents. Through air shows and flyovers, they aim to excite and inspire. In addition to showcasing the elite skills all pilots must possess, the Thunderbirds demonstrate the incredible capabilities of the Air Force's premier multi-role fighter jet, the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

GEN John Shalikashvili, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of STAFF, is greeted by LGEN Michael E. Ryan, Commander, Allied Air Forces Southern Europe and the 16th Air Force, upon his arrival at the air base. GEN Shalikashvili is visiting the air base to receive operational briefings and meet personnel who are involved in Operation Deny Flight. Subject Operation/Series: DENY FLIGHT Base: Aviano Air Base State: Pordenone Country: Italy (ITA)

Dr. Jamila Rattler, Executive Director (center left), and the DLIELC staffwelcomed Col. Nicholas Dipoma, Vice Commander, 2 AF (far left), who arrivedat the campus for a late afternoon immersion visit on July 25. During hisvisit, Colonel Dipoma and the accompanying 2 AF Command Chief, CMSgt.Kathleen McCool, received a welcome briefing and discussion with the seniorstaff in the DLIELC Conference Center. The 2AF vice commander and commandchief also toured the 637th International Support Squadron's Operationsbuilding and saw English language curriculum that will be utilized in afuture modernized classroom at the 332nd Training Squadron's EnglishInstruction Flight. At the 2AF DVs final stop, DLIELC Aviation LanguageTraining Center, Dipoma donned goggles, grab the flight controllers withoutany hesitation, and took a leisurely flight on one of the aviation languagetraining center's virtual flight simulators.

Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DART) - Marine Safety Office St. Louis - 26-HK-120-83. Hurricane Katrina

U.S. Air Force Col. Keegan McLeese, 56th Fighter Wing vice commander, speaks to West Valley educators, during the West Valley Educators Immersion Tour, March 31, 2023, Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. Tours like these are designed to offer opportunities to build community partnerships and contribute to public knowledge of base operations.

011019-F-1616C-005. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Mcguire Air Force Base State: New Jersey (NJ) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: AMC

U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Duke A. Pirak, left, deputy director of the Air National Guard (ANG) speaks with Col. Michael Blair, commander of the Operations Group, 158th Fighter Wing, Vermont ANG Base, South Burlington, Vermont, Sept. 11, 2022. Pirak, who assists the ANG director in managing the 108,300 members in the ANG, made the visit during a Vermont National Guard open house, a complimentary event demonstrating the capabilities of the Vermont Air and Army National Guard.

Colombian Air Force Major Rommel Rodriguez, 111th Fighter Squadron Commander and U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Madison Woo, (right) South Carolina Air National Guard's 157th Fighter Squadron getting. return from familiarization flight in a U.S. Air Force F-16D Fighting Falcon flight during Relampago VII, an exercise in Barranquilla, Colombia, Sept. 2, 2022. The purpose of this exercise is to provide the Colombian Air Force with requested realistic interoperability training as allied countries, under NATO standards. South Carolina is Colombias State Partner in the State Partnership Program.

Gen. Mike Minihan, Air Mobility Command commander, speaks to Team Dover Airmen during an all call at Dover AFB, Delaware, May 5, 2022. During the all call, Minihan discussed the state of the Air Force and how Dover AFB is innovating to accelerate change or lose.

010625-N-6077T-008. Subject Operation/Series: COOPERATION AFLOAT READINESS AND TRAINING Base: Uss Curts (FFG 38) Scene Major Command Shown: FLTCOMBATCAMGRUPAC

U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Joshua Bloomingdale, a loadmaster with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, speaks with Japan Air Self-Defense Force personnel at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 28, 2022. The visit enabled U.S. and Japanese military leaders to continue building their strong relationship with one another while maintaining mutual understanding of strategically placed aviation capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region.

The 117th Air Refueling Wing conducts an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Boss flight at Sumpter Smith Joint National Guard Base, Alabama, Aug. 10, 2022. The flight was for employers of members of the 117th ARW. Airmen nominated their bosses for the flight.

U.S. Air Force Col. John Kelley (left), 39th Air Base Wing vice commander, Chief Master Sgt. Scott Shrier (center), 39th ABW command chief, and Turkish Air Force Brig. Gen. Gürel Özusta (right), 10th Tanker Base commander, converse on the flight line after the first joint foreign object debris (FOD) walk at Incirlik Air Base, May 26, 2022. U.S. Airmen joined with Turkish and Spanish military forces for the event, which demonstrated the interoperability with our allies and a mutual respect for Turkish and U.S. resources. FOD walks are designed to have as many people as possible go to a particular site to examine the flight line to help gather trash, rocks, loose metal objects, or anything else that could become a FOD hazard.

U.S. Air Force Gen. Mark Kelly, commander of Air Combat Command, briefs members of the 325th Operations Group and 325th Maintenance Group during an all call held at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, Dec. 1, 2022. Tyndall Airmen were able to ask Kelly questions about career progression and future changes to squadron missions.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Duke A. Pirak, left, deputy director of the Air National Guard (ANG) coins Staff Sgt. Yainna Hall, right, an aviation manager assigned to the 158th Operations Group, 158th Fighter Wing, at the Vermont ANG Base, South Burlington, Vermont, Sept. 11, 2022. Hall was recognized by Pirak for her outstanding contribrbutions as an Airmen in the 158th Fighter Wing.

Col. William Liess, 108th Operations Group commander, speaks during a change of command ceremony held in the 108th OG auditorium at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., Sept. 22, 2022. Lt. Col. Sharon Gilliland assumed command of the 150th Special Operations Squadron from Lt. Col. Kristopher Szymczak who served as commander since October 2020.

220907-N-CR843-0007 U-TAPAO, Thailand (Sept. 7, 2022) Naval Aircrewman (Operator) 2nd Class Cole Parker, assigned to the Fighting Tigers of Patrol Squadron (VP) 8, explains the mission systems aboard a P-8A Poseidon aircraft in U-Tapao, Thailand, to a member to the Royal Thai Navy during Sea Surveillance Exercise 2022, Sept. 7. VP-8 is currently deployed to Naval Air Facility (NAF) Misawa, Japan, conducting maritime patrol and reconnaissance and theater outreach operations within U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of Commander, Task Force 72 and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command objectives throughout the region.

Team commander for March AFB, Calif., LT. COL. Martin J. McNamara is greeted on arrival to RODEO 94 by MAJ. GEN. Marv Ervin, Rodeo Commander. There were 15 KC-135 and 6 KC-10 teams competing in this years air mobility competition. Subject Operation/Series: RODEO '94 Base: Mcchord Air Force Base State: Washington (WA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Duke A. Pirak, center left, deputy director of the Air National Guard (ANG) attends the 9/11 remembrance ceremony, at the Vermont ANG Base, South Burlington, Vermont, Sept. 11, 2022. Pirak, who assists the ANG director in managing the 108,300 members in the ANG, made the visit during a Vermont National Guard open house, a complimentary event demonstrating the capabilities of the Vermont Air and Army National Guard.

Exercise participants attend a Red Flag-Alaska 23-1 welcome briefing at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Oct. 6, 2022. RF-A is a Pacific Air Forces-directed field training exercise for U.S. and international forces, including Royal New Zealand Air Force and Royal Air Force service members, flown under simulated air combat conditions.

STS-135 Crew Arrives on T-38's & Unsuited STA's

030303-F-4132J-050. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Savannah International Airport State: Georgia (GA) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ANG

020304-F-0082H-001. Base: Ellington Field, Houston State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Lucas Leonhardt, an AV-8B Harrier pilot with the Aviation Combat Element, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, speaks with Finnish media aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) in Helsinki, Finland, August 7, 2022. The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and 22nd MEU, under the command and control of Task Force 61/2, is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied and partner interests.

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Michael Blumberg, 85th Flying Training Squadron instructor pilot, showcases simulators used in modern pilot training at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, on Sept. 2, 2022. The 85th FTS celebrated its 50th anniversary at Laughlin by showcasing the modern pilot training experience to previous members and commanders.

Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, where he toured facilities, viewed aircraft, and met with personnel of the Air Force's Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds

Col. Scott A. Meyer preapres to transfer command of the 312th Airlift Squadron to Lt. Col. Thomas E. Parker during a ceremony at Travis Air Forces Base, California, September 9, 2022. The mission of the 312th Airlift Squadron is to train and provide qualified C-5 Galaxy aircrews to fly worldwide airlift missions and augment the active duty forces under various readiness conditions up to and including full mobilization.

NASA astronaut Dan Burbank speaks to a group of U.S. Navy divers at the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) at the agencys Johnson Space Center in Houston. Navy divers, Air Force pararescuemen and Coast Guard rescue swimmers are preparing to practice Orion underway recovery techniques with a test version of the Orion spacecraft. Training will help the team prepare for Underway Recovery Test 5 for Exploration Mission 1 aboard the USS San Diego in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California in October. The Ground Systems Development and Operations Program, along with the U.S. Navy and Lockheed Martin, are preparing the recovery team, hardware and operations to support EM-1 recovery.

Officers from the 71st Air Refueling Squadron and the 596th Bombardment Squadron consult their planning charts at a joint mission briefing during Proud Shield '92, a Strategic Air Command bombing and navigation competition. Subject Operation/Series: PROUD SHIELD '92 Base: Barksdale Air Force Base State: Louisiana (LA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Master Sgt. Shane Nichols, 349th Operations Support Squadron chief of loadmaster training, stands for a portrait, Sept. 6, 2022, at Travis Air Force Base, California. Nichols spearheaded the effort to make Tactical Combat Casualty Care training available for the 349th Air Mobility Wing. TCCC teaches life-saving skills and methods proven effective in a combat environment.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Michael Loh, director, Air National Guard, views the Weapons Load Trainer during a visit to Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, May 13, 2022. Loh visited the Missouri Air National Guard's 131st Bomb Wing to learn about their total force B-2 Spirit stealth bomber mission.

020322-F-9232S-009. Subject Operation/Series: NOBLE EAGLE Base: Selfridge Air Natl Guard Base State: Michigan (MI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

980622-F-7924J-001. Base: Mcchord Air Force Base State: Washington (WA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Air Force Col. John Galloway, 495th Fighter Group commander, left, hands a guidon to Lt. Col. Daniel O'Neal, F-16 fighter pilot with the 495th Fighter Group, right, activating the 306th Fighter Squadron on July 8, 2022 at the 177th Fighter Wing, Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey. The Squadron was activated as part of the Air Forces Total Force Integration, helping to maintain combat readiness across both Air National Guard and Active Duty pilots.

U.S. Air Force Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost, U.S. Transportation Command commander, and U.S. Air Force Major Brian Walford, 305th Air Mobility Wing pilot, inspect a KC-46A Pegasus at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, June 3, 2022. Van Ovost toured the Air Forces newest refueling tanker, the KC-46A Pegasus and met with warfighters who project its military power globally.

010515-F-9627P-001. Base: Fairchild Air Force Base State: Washington (WA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Lt. Col. Sean Siddiqui takes command of the 586th Flight Test Squadron from Col. Darren Wees, 704th Test Group commander, on Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico July 15, 2022. The 586th FLTS plans, analyzes, coordinates and conducts flight tests of advanced weapons and avionics systems primarily on the White Sands Missile Range.

PHILIPPINE SEA (April 23, 2022) Vice Adm. Karl Thomas, commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, addresses the crew aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) via the ships announcement system. Abraham Lincoln Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability through alliances and partnerships while serving as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. William Woodward, right, commanding officer of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 773, Marine Air Group 41, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, in support of Special Marine Air-Ground Task Forces UNITAS LXIII, shakes the hand of, and congratulates, U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. John Bopp, left, on his final flight in a U.S. Marine Corps UH-1Y Venom following aerial support operations throughout exercise UNITAS LXIII, Sept. 17th, 2022. UNITAS, which is Latin for unity, was conceived in 1959 and has taken place annually since first conducted in 1960. This year marks the 63rd iteration of the worlds longest-running annual multinational maritime exercise. Additionally, this year Brazil will celebrate its bicentennial, a historical milestone commemorating 200 years of the countrys independence.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Kennedy Director Bob Cabana, right, and NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver welcome the STS-131 crew back from space following the landing of space shuttle Discovery on Runway 33. From front are Commander Alan Poindexter, Pilot James P. Dutton Jr., and Mission Specialists Rick Mastracchio and Stephanie Wilson. Exiting the crew transport vehicle are, from bottom to top, Mission Specialists Naoko Yamazaki of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and Clayton Anderson. The crew received a brief preliminary medical examination before joining NASA managers and invited guests on the runway. Discovery landed at Kennedy after 15 days in space, completing the more than 6.2-million-mile STS-131 mission on orbit 238. Main gear touchdown was at 9 08 35 a.m. EDT followed by nose gear touchdown at 9 08 47 a.m. and wheelstop at 9 09 33 a.m. The seven-member STS-131 crew carried the multi-purpose logis

120806-N-FI736-452 ARABIAN SEA (Aug. 6, 2012) Cmdr. Jay Driskell explains the uses for the carrier air traffic control center to Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65). Enterprise is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (Oct. 22, 2022) Lt. Col. Eric Zion, an Air Force flight instructor assigned to Training Squadron Six, based at Naval Air Station Whiting Field, Fla., speaks to Justin Landgrebe about aviation career opportunities at the Fly-In Aviation Career Day held at the Memphis International Airport. Justin tried on flight equipment as part of the experience.

U.S. Air Force Col. Quaid Quadri, center right, commander of South Carolina Air National Guards 169th Fighter Wing, and U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Madison Woo, center left, commander of South Carolina Air National Guards 157th Fighter Squadron pause for a post-flight photo with Colombian Air Force Col. Pedro Vega, Air Combat Commander, right and Colombian Air Forces 111th Fighter Squadron commander, Maj. Rommel Rodriguez, in front of an F-16 fighter jet during Relampago VII, an exercise in Barranquilla, Colombia, Sept. 2, 2022. The purpose of this exercise is to provide the Colombian Air Force with requested realistic interoperability training as allied countries, under NATO standards. South Carolina is Colombias State Partner in the State Partnership Program.

221020-N-IX644-1020 ADRIATIC SEA (Oct. 20, 2022) Cmdr. Dave Camp, from McDonough, Georgia, assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), sanitizes a board during cleaning stations, Oct. 20, 2022. The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied and partner interests.

Acting Secretary of the Air Force F. Whitten Peters (Left) visited Luke Air Force Base (AFB), Arizona for a better understanding of the issues involved in the renewal of the Barry M. Goldwater range. F. Whitten Peters and Brigadier General Carroll H. Chandler (Right), 56th Fighter Wing commander, walk out to the flightline at Luke AFB for a flight over the Goldwater range. Base: Luke Air Force Base State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Congressmen Visit Mobile Aviation Training Center - 26-HK-4-15. Air crews lined up to greet dignitaries in ATC Mobile hangar, helos in background. Hurricane Katrina

220614-N-GW654-1210 NAVAL AIR STATION NORTH ISLAND, Calif. (Jun. 14 , 2022) - Vice Adm. Eric Janicot, Admiral Naval Aviation (ALAVIA), Marine Nationale (French Navy), middle, and Capt. Marc Bourdilleau, Chief of Naval Air Training & Operations, Marine Nationale, right, speak to Capt. Scott Wastak, deputy commodore, Airborne Command & Control and Logistics Wing, during a visit to board Naval Air Station North Island, Calif. ALAVIA is the French counterpart to Commander, Naval Air Forces, and his visit exemplifies the longstanding alliance between the U.S. and France.

Retired U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Harold "Buddy" Hutchison shakes hands with a U.S. Air Force Airman assigned to the 432nd Wing at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada, July 28, 2022. Hutchison started his career as a Security Forces Defender and eventually became the Command Senior Enlisted Leader at North American Aerospace Defense Command and United States Northern Command.

221017-N-IX644-1055 ADRIATIC SEA (Oct. 17, 2022) Lt. Katherine Westoby, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 143, exchanges stickers with Alexandra Dinu, Digi24 reporter, during the NATO-led vigilance activity Neptune Strike 22.2 (NEST 22.2), aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77), Oct. 17, 2022. CVW-7 is the offensive air and strike component of CSG-10, George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (GHWBCSG). The squadrons of CVW-7 are Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 86, VFA-103, VFA-136, VFA-143, Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 140, Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 121, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5, and Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 46. The GHWBCSG is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied and partner interests. NEST 22.2 is the natural evolution of NATO's ability to integrate the high-end maritime warfare capabilities of a carrier

A Hometown Heroes receives a flag flown by the 77th Fighter Squadron during the Shaw Air and Space Expo at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, April 3, 2022. The 20th FW honored 20 individuals, nominated by their peers, for their tireless work within their communities to make them safer and improve the lives of those around them.

Senior Chief Naval Aircrewman (Helicopter) Michael Dagga” Sisler, assigned to the Vanguard” of Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 14 (HM-14), left, dons hearing protection prior to the squadron’s last flight Dec. 8, 2022.

010403-M-8337G-003. Subject Operation/Series: KERNEL BLITZ 2001 Base: Uss Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) Scene Major Command Shown: 1ST Marine Expeditionary Force

U.S. Air Force Maj. David Evil Bown, pilot from the 495th Fighter Squadron, briefs the Lt. Gov. of Florida, Jeanette Nũnez about the F-35A Lightning II during the Farnborough International Airshow in Farnborough, England, July 18, 2022. U.S. military participation in FIA reaffirms the United States commitment to its partners and allies, echoing the fact that no nation can confront todays challenges alone.

Colonel (COL) Anthony Mauer, 100th Air Refueling Wing Operations Group Commander (ARWOGC) and Aircraft Commander (AC), assists Captain (CAPT) Devin Shanks, his co-pilot, with his emergency "Quick Don" oxygen mask before flying a refueling mission, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Borgas International Airport Country: Bulgaria (BGR) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

15th Wing Commander, Col. Michele Lo Bianco, briefs a team of staff delegates on 15th Wing capabilities on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Jan. 26, 2023. The tour enabled Pacific Air Forces and 15th Wing senior leaders an opportunity to effectively communicate their mission and articulate specific military needs to Congress.

040504-F-0681L-115. Base: Fargo Air National Guard Base State: North Dakota (ND) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ANG

U.S. Air Force Col. Andrew Bishop Jacob, the 104th Operations Group commander, presents Lt. Col. Michael Shot Glass, the outgoing commander of the 131st Fighter Squadron, with a meritorious service medal during a change of command ceremony for the 131FS June 12, 2022, at Barnes Air National Base, Massachusetts. A change of command ceremony is a military tradition that represents the formal transfer of responsibility of a unit from one commanding officer to another.

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Levon Compton, adjutant general of the Missouri National Guard, visits the Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Course, at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base, in St. Joseph, Missouri, September 21, 2022. While at the AATTC, Compton was able to greet members of the French Air Force, as they were the first aircrew from France to attend the Advanced Tactics Aircrew Course. Since 1983 the training center has provided advanced tactical training to airlift aircrews from the Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve Command, Air Mobility Command, U.S. Marine Corps and 17 allied nations.

PHOTO DATE: 05-27-10LOCATION: Ellington Field - Hangar 276SUBJECT: STS-132 crew return ceremony at Ellington Field - Hangar 276WORK ORDER: 1648-STS132ELL-05-27-10

Maj. Gen. Corey Martin, 18th Air Force commander, right, shakes hands with Chief Master Sgt. Keith Scott, 60th Air Mobility Wing command chief, during a base visit at Travis Air Force Base, California, Sept. 8, 2022. Martin and Chief Master Sgt. Chad Bickley, 18th AF command chief, visited units to meet with Airmen contributing to the mobility mission.

U.S. Air Force Col. Matthew Collins, 12th Flying Training Wing vice commander, stands at ease as he leads the wing formation during the 12th FTW change of command ceremony August 1, 2022, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. The 12th FTW consists of three flying groups and a maintenance group that is responsible for Pilot Instructor Training, Combat Systems Officer Training, Remotely Piloted Aircraft Pilot Indoctrination, Basic Sensor Operator Qualification and all U.S. Air Force Academy flying programs.

National Guard Medic Training

Chilean Air Force Major F. Marin, a C-130 pilot with the N10 Squadron, lines up the lenses on night vision goggles July 24, 2018, at Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base, Texas. Marin visited the wing as part of the State Partnership Program, which forges mutually beneficial partnerships with some of the 136th Airlift Wings staunchest allies and partners worldwide.

CDR Ted Elkins re-enlists ABH1(AW/SW/IW) Darlene Rule, assigned to USS Wasp (LHD-1) during a ceremony aboard the Battleship Wisconsin in Downtown Norfolk on Wednesday, May 25, 2022. The ceremony was hosted by the Hampton Roads Naval Museum as part of their military ceremonies program that is available to area commands without cost. The museum is located next to the Battleship Wisconsin in Downtown Norfolk, Virginia.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Valerie "Twitch" Wetzbarger assumes command of the 83rd Fighter Weapons Squadron from Col. Nicholas Reed, 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group commander, during a change of command ceremony at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, May 26, 2022. The squadron evaluates air-to-air (COMBAT ARCHER) and air-to-ground (COMBAT HAMMER) weapons systems to include aircraft, weapon delivery systems, weapons, aircrew, support equipment, technical data, and maintenance actions.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Tomas Cacon, 349th Air Mobility Wing aircrew member, shakes hands with a veteran attending Skyfest 2022 at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, May 14, 2022. Team Fairchild held the Fairchild Skyfest 2022 airshow as a means of thanking the local community for their support and partnerships, as well as to inspire future generations of Airmen with a showcase of U.S. Air Force assets and their capabilities.

020923- F-7449W-006. Base: Waterkloof Air Force Base State: Pretoria Country: South Africa (ZAF) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

Stephen Bridges, 47th Maintenance Directorate aircraft ordnance technician, shows Col. Craig Prather, 47th Flying Training Wing commander, the operations of a machine he uses to make sure that each ejection seat is successful in its performance at the 47th Maintenance Directorate egress shop at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, April 8, 2022. Bridges and his coworkers take apart, inspect, test, replace or repair the ejection seats that are in each aircraft at Laughlin daily to keep our pilots safe.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Members of the STS-122 crew receive a briefing inside an M-113 armored personnel carrier near Launch Pad 39B. An M-113 will be available to transport the crew to safety in the event of an emergency on the pad before their launch. Seated on the bench at left is European Space Agency astronaut Frank De Winne, the backup for STS-122 Mission Specialist Leopold Eyharts. Seated on the bench at right, from back to front are Commander Steve Frick; Mission Specialists Rex Walheim, Hans Schlegel of the European Space Agency, and Leland Melvin; and Pilot Alan Poindexter. The crew is participating in Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test activities, a standard part of launch preparations. The TCDT provides astronauts and ground crews with equipment familiarization, emergency egress training and a simulated launch countdown. On mission STS-122, Atlantis will deliver the European Space Agency's Columbus module to the International Space Station. Columbus is a multi

U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Corey Martin, 18th Air Force commander, speaks with a marine patrolman assigned to the 6th Security Forces Squadron during a tour at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, Sept. 15, 2022. Martin rode with the patrolmen to better understand the roles and responsibilities involved with providing base security for a large coastal perimeter. The 6th SFS Marine Patrol unit is the only fully operational, 24/7 unit in the Air Force, and is responsible for protecting one of the largest coastal restricted areas in the Department of Defense.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Jacob Impellizzeri, USAF Thunderbirds pilot, takes a selfie with JJ Ardis, Hometown Hero recipient, during the Shaw Air & Space Expo at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, April 1, 2022. Ardis got to fly with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds as part of the aerial demonstration squadron's Hometown Hero program, which salutes average American citizens doing amazing things in their communities.

Pacific Islands Tour: Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne and aides to Guam, U.S. Territory

Coast Guard Personnel - Miscellaneous - 26-HK-90-67. CG personnel sitting and standing in hangar. Hurricane Katrina

Lt. Gen. John D. Lamontagne, United States Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa deputy commander, shakes hands with a retired U.S. Air Force veteran at the Airpower 22 air show in Zeltweg, Austria, Sept. 2, 2022. This multi-national event showcased the capabilities of over 20 nations, and provided an opportunity for the U.S. Air Force to continue to strengthen international partnerships.

031117-F-2881M-002. Base: Laughlin Air Force Base State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Commander Chris Ferguson pauses for a photo during M113 armored personnel carrier training at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. An M113 is kept at the foot of the launch pad in case an emergency exit from the launch pad is needed and every shuttle crew is trained on driving the vehicle before launch. The STS-135 crew is at Kennedy to participate in a launch countdown dress rehearsal called the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) and related training. Atlantis and its crew are targeted to lift off July 8, taking with them the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module packed with supplies and spare parts to the International Space Station. The STS-135 mission also will fly a system to investigate the potential for robotically refueling existing satellites and return a failed ammonia pump module to help NASA better understand the failure mechanism and improve pump designs for future systems. STS-135 will be the 33rd flight of Atlantis, the 37th s

021206-F-7807B-003. Base: Columbus Air Force Base State: Mississippi (MS) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Several Aircrew members from the 179th Airlift Wing, Mansfield, Ohio, celebrated their final flights June 16th, 2022, at the 179th Airlift Wing, Mansfield, Ohio. The "Fini" flight tradition is one where aircrew members are hosed down with water by their peers, family, and friends upon their completion of their final flight.

U.S. Air Force Col. Andrew Bishop Jacob, the 104th Operations Group commander, presents the 131st Fighter Squadron guideon to Lt. Col. John Rocket Koegel, the new commander of the 131FS, during a change of command ceremony June 12, 2022, at Barnes Air National Base, Massachusetts. A change of command ceremony is a military tradition that represents the formal transfer of responsibility of a unit from one commanding officer to another.

Maj. Gen. Corey Martin, 18th Air Force commander, speaks with Maj. Kenneth Simon, 189th Logistics Readiness Squadron commander, during a base visit at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, Aug. 24, 2022. During the visit, Martin was briefed on the importance of vehicle maintenance integration between the 19th Airlift Wing and the 189th Airlift Wing.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Members of the STS-116 crew head for crew quarters following the landing of Discovery on Runway 15 at NASA Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility. From left are Mission Specialist Joan Higginbotham, Commander Mark Polansky, Pilot William Oefelein and Mission Specialist Christer Fuglesang, who represents the European Space Agency. Other astronauts aboard Discovery not shown are Mission Specialists Robert Curbeam and Nicholas Patrick and European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Reiter, who is returning from a 6-month stay on the International Space Station. During the STS-116 mission, three spacewalks attached the P5 integrated truss structure to the station, and completed the rewiring of the orbiting laboratory's power system. A fourth spacewalk retracted a stubborn solar array. Main gear touchdown was at 5:32 p.m. EST. Nose gear touchdown was at 5:32:12 p.m. and wheel stop was at 5:32:52 p.m. At touchdown -- nominally about 2,500 ft. beyond the r

U.S. Air Force Col. Kevin Davidson, 47th Flying Training Wing commander, speaks during the 85th Flying Training Squadron opening remarks at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, on Sept. 2, 2022. The 85th FTS celebrated its 50th anniversary at Laughlin.

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Douglas Kansier, executive officer of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 242, speaks to Marines before field carrier landing practice (FCLP) at Ie Shima, Japan, Oct. 18, 2022. Marine Corps pilots with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242 conduct field carrier landing practice training to maintain a high level of readiness in the Indo-Pacific.

Gen. Daniel R. Hokanson, 29th Chief of the National Guard Bureau, receives his preflight brief for a B-2 Spirit bomber at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, Aug. 6, 2022. Hokanson visited Whiteman to learn how the 131st and 509th bomb wings combine to accomplish the B-2 mission from ground to air.

Lt. Col. Ronnie Smith, 39th Electronic Warfare Squadron commander, salutes during the 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing change of command ceremony July 28 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Col. Joshua Koslov took the wings reins from Col. William Young during the ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

060920-N-4515N-120. Base: Naval Air Station, Oceana State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Air Force 85th Flying Training Squadron members, previous and current, attend a pre-flight briefing at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, on Sept. 2, 2022. The 85th FTS celebrated its 50th anniversary at Laughlin by hosting previous commanders and members.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Duke A. Pirak, deputy director, Air National Guard, addresses Airmen during a wing all-call, September 10, 2022 at the 177th Fighter Wing, Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey. Pirak congratulated the Airmen on their willingness and ability to implement new processes that were recommended after the first ANG Production Assessment Team visit in February, 2022.

of 3