Air Force Operations and Aircraft

Photos of U.S. Air Force aircraft in action, including refueling missions and air-to-air combat displays, showcasing aerial military prowess.

An air-to-air right side view of two F-15 Eagle aircraft. The F-15 in the background is banking to the left.

DF-ST-87-13322. Subject Operation/Series: TEAM SPIRIT '85 Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

USAF F-15 EAGLE FLYING OVER CLOUDS

DF-ST-89-05846. Base: George Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-SC-85-03318. State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DN-SC-94-02398. State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An air-to-air right side view of an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft from the 57th Tactical Fighter Wing, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. Country: Unknown

An air-to-air right side view of two Japanese Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) F-4EJ Phantom II aircraft and a United States Air Force (USAF) F-15 Eagle aircraft in echelon formation during the joint JASDF and USAF exercise COPE NORTH 83-4. Subject Operation/Series: COPE NORTH 83-4 Country: Japan (JPN)

F-15C Eagles, assigned to the 125th Fighter Wing, Jacksonville Air National Guard Base, Florida, and F-35A Lightning IIs, from Eglin Air Force Base, Florida fly together during a training exercise in Jacksonville on Sept. 10, 2022. This training aides pilot familiarization as the 125th Fighter Wing, Home of the Thunder, prepares for its transition to the F-35A Lightning II from the F-15C Eagles currently flown by the Wing. The first F-35A Lightning II is expected to arrive at the 125th Fighter Wing in 2024.

DF-ST-88-08309. State: Utah (UT) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-ST-89-04161. State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Air Force U.S. Air Force Capt. Tyler Rico Parker, an instructor pilot assigned to the 90th Flying Training Squadron, operates a U.S. Air Force T-38C Talon aircraft above Wichita Falls, Texas, July 21, 2022. The 90th FTS, a unit of the 80th Flying Training Wing, aids in instructing students in the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program. The ENJJPT program, conducted by the 80th FTW, is the world's only multi-nationally manned and managed flying training program chartered to produce combat pilots for NATO.

A U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II from the 52nd Fighter Squadron flies behind a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 197th Air Refueling Squadron during a training mission above Arizona, Aug. 6, 2022. The 161st Air Refueling Wing out of the Goldwater Air National Guard Base, conducts refueling missions with their regional partners at Luke Air Force Base regularly to help ensure mission readiness.

A MC-130H Combat Talon II of the 7th Special Operations Squadron being refueled by a KC-135R Stratotanker of the 351st Aerial Refueling Squadron of the100th Aerial Refueling Wing. Both units are based at RAF Mildenhall in the United Kingdom. The photo was made in December 2011 over East Anglia, United Kingdom.

An F-16 from 421st Fighter Squadron, Hill Air Force Base, Utah releases the first AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) over reservation land range. Base: Eglin Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

040814-F-6740T-174. Country: Iraq (IRQ)

An F-14A Tomcat aircraft receives fuel from an Air Force KC-10 Extender aircraft as two other Tomcat aircraft fly alongside. The aircraft in the foreground is assigned to Fighter Squadron 2 (VF-2); the others are assigned to Fighter Squadron 1 (VF-1). Country: Northern Arabian Sea

AN air-to-air left side view of an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft firing an advanced medium-range air-to-air missile. Base: Eglin Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs assigned to the 61st Fighter Squadron and T-38A Talons assigned to the 2d Fighter Training Squadron fly in formation over southern Idaho, Sept. 14, 2022. The units, assigned to Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, and Eglin AFB, Florida, traveled to Idaho for a training exercise as the F-35 student pilots basic course capstone.

010810-F-7910D-011. Base: Buckley Field State: Colorado (CO) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

040506-F-7823A-001. Country: Iraq (IRQ)

010809-F-7910D-025. Base: Buckley Air Force Base State: Colorado (CO) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: CANADIAN ARMED FORCES

U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the South Carolina Air National Guard fly with a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the Alabama ANG for aerial refueling during Sentry Savannah 22-1, May 5, 2022. Sentry Savannah, an ANG near-peer threat training exercise, brought more than 60 aircraft from active duty, ANG and Air Reserve units to the Air Dominance Center for the exercise.

A Fighter Squadron 32 (VF-32) F-14A Tomcat aircraft is silhouetted against the sun while in-flight during Operation Desert Storm. VF-32 is based aboard the aircraft carrier USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67). Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Saudi Arabia (SAU)

An air-to-air right side view of two F-4G Phantom II "Wild Weasel" aircraft and one F-16C Fighting Falcon "Wild Weasel" aircraft, bottom, from the 81st Tactical Fighter Squadron, 52nd Tactical Fighter Wing, in-flight over the coast. The Fighting Falcon is. Country: England / Great Britain (ENG)

An F/A-18A Hornet aircraft of Marine Corps Strike Fighter Squadron 314 (VMFA-314), fires a AIM-9M SIdewinder missile over Naval Air Station Fallon firing range. Base: Naval Air Station, Fallon State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

F/A-18C Hornets attached to Fighter Attack Squadron Eighty-Six (VFA-86) aboard the aircraft carrier USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73) approach a British Royal Air Force VC-10K tanker for refueling. Washington is operating in the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH Country: Unknown

A view of three F-4 Phantom II aircraft parked at Shiraz Air Base during exercise Cento. Subject Operation/Series: CENTO Country: Iran (IRN)

An air-to-air right side view of, from front to back, a 511th Tactical Fighter Squadron A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft, a 10th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft and a 53rd Tactical Fighter Squadron F-15C Eagle in formation. Country: Spain (ESP)

DF-ST-88-07161. Country: Unknown

F/A-18F Super Hornets, attached to the "Blacklions" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 213, conduct flight operations over USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN78) in the Atlantic Ocean, April 19, 2022. Ford is underway in the Atlantic Ocean conducting carrier qualifications and strike group integration as part of the ships tailored basic phase prior to operational deployment.

DN-SC-87-05598. Country: Unknown

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon of the Ohio Air National Guards 180th Fighter Wing flies up to the refueling boom of a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker of the Iowa Air National Guards 185th Air Refueling Wing over Iowa, Aug. 11, 2022. The F-16 and KC-135 were on their way to the Field of Dreams Major League Baseball game to perform a flyover during the playing of the US National Anthem.

U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors assigned to the Virginia Air National Guard fly with a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the Alabama ANG for aerial refueling during Sentry Savannah 22-1, May 5, 2022. Sentry Savannah, an ANG near-peer threat training exercise, brought more than 60 aircraft from active duty, ANG and Air Reserve units to the Air Dominance Center for the exercise.

A F-15C Eagle from the 67th Fighter Squadron prepares to receive fuel from a KC-135R Stratotanker from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron while on a routine training mission over the Pacific Ocean, 200 nautical miles east of Okinawa. Both units are from the 18th Wing, Kadena Air Base, Japan. Base: Kadena Air Base State: Okinawa Country: Japan (JPN) Scene Major Command Shown: PACAF

010323-F-0966E-013. State: New Jersey (NJ) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: AMC

US Air Force T-38 Trainers

Colombian Air Force KFIRs and the U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons from the South Carolina Air National Guard, 157th Fighter Squadron fly in formation during Relampago VII, an exercise in Barranquilla, Colombia, Aug. 30, 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.

DN-SC-04-10006. State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

020813-F-4177H-014. Subject Operation/Series: NORTHERN WATCH Country: Unknown

020805-F-7709A-013. Base: Eglin Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Air to air right side view of an F-14B Tomcat aircraft of Fighter Squadron 143 (VF-143), the Pukin' Dogs, in flight over Lake Pyramid. The aircraft is piloted by LT. Chris Blaschum, USN and the radar intercept officer (RIO) is LT. Jack Lies, USN. State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-SC-88-08377. Country: Unknown

A U.S. Air Force F-15 Eagle assigned to the 173rd Fighter Wing in Klamath Falls, Ore., flies alongside a 141st Air Refueling Wing tanker while another jet tops off its tanks before returning to the range for additional dogfighting drills over the Oregon desert, April 28, 2022. The 141st Air Refueling Wing hosted members of the 173rd Fighter Wing and a few family members for familiarization rides where they were able to witness a part of the Kingsley Field training mission first-hand.

DF-ST-87-05172. Country: Unknown

The single-seat F-16XL, NASA 849, joins up with an SR-71A, NASA 844, as crews set up for one of the flights in the recent sonic boom research program conducted by the Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California.During the missions, the F-16XL probed the shockwaves generated by the SR-71, while at lower altitudes sensors on an F-18 and on a YO-3A, and also on the ground, recorded data from the same shockwave.

An F-4G Phantom II Wild Weasel aircraft from the 480th Tactical Fighter Squadron, foreground, and the F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft of the 52nd Tactical Fighter Wing commander fly over the countryside. The F-16C is carrying an AIM-9 Sidewinder missile on its outer, left pylon and both aircraft are armed with AGM-88 HARM missiles. The F-4G also has AIM-7 Sparrow missiles. Country: Federal Republic Of Germany (FRG)

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Falcon from the South Dakota Air National Guards 114th Fighter Wing flys behind a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker from the Iowa Air National Guards 185thAir Refueling Wing over the South Dakota Badlands on June 27, 2023. The aircraft are part of a nationwide aerial refueling demonstration, commemorating the 100thanniversary of air refueling.

DF-ST-87-05159. Country: Unknown

Two U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagles assigned to the 104th Fighter Wing, Massachusetts Air National Guard, fly beside a 101st Air Refueling Wing, Maine Air National Guard KC-135 Stratotanker during a refueling training operation over the northeastern United States October 27, 2022. The 104FW is trained to provide around-the-clock Aerospace Control Alert operations, supplying armed F-15 fighters prepared to scramble in a moments notice to protect the northeast United States from any airborne threat.

DF-SD-03-06240. State: South Carolina (SC) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: AMC

000814-N-0000X-006. Base: USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) Country: Caribbean Sea

An air-to-air right side view of F-16 Falcon aircraft assigned to the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing during a mission out of Hill Air Force Base. State: Utah (UT) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Two US Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons, from the 510th Fighter Squadron, Aviano, Italy, fly with German F-4's, for a training exercise. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Subject Operation/Series: DENY FLIGHT Base: Decimomannu State: Sardinia Country: Italy (ITA)

An A-10C Thunderbolt II, assigned to the 75th Fighter Squadron, performs a low-angle strafe during the Hawgsmoke competition at Barry M. Goldwater Range, Ariz., June 2, 2016. The two-day competition included team and individual scoring of strafing, high-altitude dive-bombing, Maverick missile precision and team tactics.

060104-F-2295B-033. Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

DF-ST-85-01369. Subject Operation/Series: COPE THUNDER '84 Country: Unknown

F-22 Raptor receives synthetic fuel from KC-135 Stratotanker

A view from the tail section of a United States Marine Corps KC-130J Super Hercules as it refuels an American F/A-18D Hornet (left) and a Malaysian Mig-29 Fulcrum high over the South China Sea, Malaysia.

1990s THREE USN F-15 EAGLES FLYING IN FORMATION

A military jet at full thrust in the air

An air-to-air right side view of two F-15 Eagle aircraft from the Eighth Tactical Fighter Squadron en route to the engagement area during Exercise Cope North. Subject Operation/Series: COPE NORTH Base: Kwang Ju Air Base Country: Korea

F-14 Tomcats, A-7E Corsairs and S-3 Viking aircraft of Carrier Air Wing 9 (CVN-9) fly in formation over the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS NIMITZ (CVN-68) during a visit by the Duke and Duchess of York. Country: Pacific Ocean(POC)

A Fighter Squadron 41 (VF-41) F-14A Tomcat aircraft is refueled by a KC-135E Stratotanker aircraft from the Illinois Air National Guard's 126th Aerial Refueling Wing during Operation Desert Storm. VF-41 is embarked aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN-71).. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Saudi Arabia(SAU)

011106-F-4308R-003. Subject Operation/Series: NOBLE EAGLE 2001 Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

An F-16 Fighting Falcon flown by Capt. Scott FLAIL Neidrick, pilot assigned to the 64th Aggressor Squadron, flies over the Nevada Test and Training Range during a Red Flag-Nellis 22-3 mission July 19, 2022. RF-N 22-3 provides realistic combat training that saves lives while increasing combat effectiveness.

A U.S. Air Force F-15 Eagle assigned to the 44th Fighter Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan, refuels from a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan, during RED FLAG-Alaska 23-1 over the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, Oct. 11, 2022. The JPARC covers more than 77,000 square miles and provides a realistic training environment, allowing those who conduct operations in the area to train for full spectrum engagements, ranging from individual skills to complex, large-scale joint engagements.

A U.S. Air Force F-15 Eagle assigned to the 44th Fighter Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan, refuels from a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan, during RED FLAG-Alaska 23-1 over the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, Oct. 11, 2022. The JPARC covers more than 77,000 square miles and provides a realistic training environment, allowing those who conduct operations in the area to train for full spectrum engagements, ranging from individual skills to complex, large-scale joint engagements.

U.S. Air Force and Egyptian Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons fly in formation during aerial training operations in support of exercise Agile Phoenix within the U.S. Air Forces Central Area of responsibility June 28, 2022. Agile Phoenix is a joint agile combat employment exercise focused on enhancing interoperability and ensuring regional security.

021119-F-7709A-001. State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-ST-85-07814. Country: Unknown

DF-ST-87-12349. Subject Operation/Series: RECONNAISSANCE AIR MEET '86 State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Two U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon, assigned to the 179th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, resume aerial operations after a successful refuel with a KC-135 Stratotanker, assigned to the 50th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, in the U.S. Air Forces Central area of responsibility, May 3, 2022. The 179th EFS, deployed with Ninth Air Force, delivers airpower and showcases U.S. commitment to deterrence and stability in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

U.S. Air Force T-38 Talon and two F-35 Lightning II's fly in formation over Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, April 5, 2022. Exercise Agile Tiger brings together Airmen and aircraft from across the Air Force and the National Guard to promote interoperability.

A fourship formation of 482nd Fighter Wing / 93rd Fighter Squadron Lockheed F-16C Fighting Falcons based at Homestead Air Reserve Station flying a training sortie near the Southern Flordia coastline. A fourship formation of 482nd Fighter Wing / 93rd Fighter Squadron Lockheed F-16C Fighting Falcons based at Homestead Air Reserve Station flying a training sortie near the Southern Flordia coastline.

Two U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle, assigned to the 355th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, prepare to return to aerial operations after a successful refuel with a KC-135 Stratotanker, assigned to the 50th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, in the U.S. Air Forces Central area of responsibility, May 5, 2022. The 355th EFS, deployed with Ninth Air Force, delivers airpower and showcases U.S. commitment to deterrence and stability in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

DF-ST-85-11780. Subject Operation/Series: OPPORTUNE JOURNEY 84 Country: Unknown

020424-F-7203T-023. Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-ST-85-07808. Country: Unknown

Artwork: "Air-to-Air", Artist: Doug Neilson. US Air Force Art Collection (Copyrighted). Country: Unknown

AN air-to-air left side view of an F-111A aircraft banking to the right over a range. The aircraft, assigned to the 391st Tactical Fighter Training Squadron, 366th Tactical Fighter Wing, is carrying 24 Mark 82 low-drag bombs. Base: Nellis Air Force Base State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles assigned to the 335th Fighter Squadron receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 50th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, June 10, 2022. The F-15E Strike Eagle is a dual-role fighter designed to perform air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.

DF-ST-87-05165. Country: Unknown

An air-to-air view of three Japanese Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) F-4EJ Phantom II aircraft in formation behind a United States Air Force F-15 Eagle aircraft during the joint JASDF and United States Air Force exercise COPE NORTH 83-4. Subject Operation/Series: COPE NORTH 83-4 Country: Japan (JPN)

011113-F-2171A-010. Base: Randolph Air Force Base State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A air-to-air top view of a KC-10A Extender aircraft as seen from a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft during a refueling flight test. Base: Edwards Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

December 9, 2009 - Emirati F-16's, an Emirati Mirage 2000, and a Pakistani F-7, left to right, fly in formation during a multinational exercise. Aircrews from France, Jordan, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the U.S. trained together in the Air Forces Central area of responsibility in fighting a large-scale air war.

020302-F-7910D-024. Base: Davis-Monthan Air Force Base State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II fires its 30mm gun at a strafe target.

030619-F-7709A-006. Country: Gulf Of Mexico Scene Major Command Shown: ANG

An air-to-air left side view of an OA-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft of the 23rd Tactical Air Support Squadron in-flight over the desert Southwest. The 23rd TASS is the first squadron to convert from the OA-37 Dragonfly observation/attack aircraft to the OA-10. Country: Unknown

030702-F-7709A-009. State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

An air-to-air front view of a B-1B aircraft during Exercise Distant Mariner. Subject Operation/Series: DISTANT MARINER Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

Italian Air Force EF-2000 Typhoon jets training with AMX Ghibli aircraft.

F-16C Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft of the 363rd Tactical Fighter Wing, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., are refueled by KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft during the second day of Operation Desert Storm.. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Unknown

DF-ST-85-04185. Subject Operation/Series: PITCH BLACK Country: Australia (AUS)

U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs assigned to the 61st Fighter Squadron and T-38A Talons assigned to the 2d Fighter Training Squadron fly in formation over southern Idaho, Sept. 14, 2022. The units, assigned to Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, and Eglin AFB, Florida, traveled to Idaho for a training exercise as the F-35 student pilots basic course capstone.

U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18C Hornet strike-fighter aircraft from Marine Fighter-Attack Squadron 212 (VMFA-212), Kaneohe Marine Corps Air Base, Hawaii, fly in formation during Operation Desert Shield.

DF-ST-87-03760. Subject Operation/Series: GUNSMOKE '85 State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Members from the Utah Air National Guards 151st Wing and Air Force Reserves 419th Fighter Wing prepare to unload an AIM 120 missile coffin from a KC-135R at Hill Air Force Base Feb. 4, 2024 as part of Exercise PERSES. Exercise PERSES is a dynamic exercise serving as a platform for exploring innovative ideas and refining communication practices in a challenging operational environment for both Utah Air and Army National Guard. Air Force

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