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.

An 8th Tactical Fighter Wing F-16B Fighting Falcon aircraft escorts a 43rd Strategic Wing B-52G Stratofortress aircraft on an aerial mining mission over Yosu Harbor during Exercise Team Spirit '85. Subject Operation/Series: TEAM SPIRIT '85 Base: Yosu Harbor Country: South Korea

A U.S. Air Force HC-130J Combat King II, assigned to the 26th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, continues operations after a successful high-altitude aerial refueling with an HH-60 Pave Hawk, assigned to the 46th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, during a combat search and rescue exercise over an undisclosed location, July 5, 2022. Air Force Central Commands ERQSs are organized, trained, equipped and postured to conduct full spectrum personnel recovery to include both conventional and unconventional combat rescue operations within the Central Command theater of operations. Special warfare operators assigned throughout the combined joint operational area conduct operations in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve.

Two F/A-18B aircraft involved in the AFF program return to base in close formation with the autonomous function disengaged.

An EC-135 Stratolifter aircraft refuels a second Stratolifter assuming the position of Looking Glass, the code name for the backup command and control post of Strategic Air Command (SAC). In the event that SAC's underground command center was destroyed by enemy attack, the crew of the flying command center would assume all functions from the air. Three Looking Glass sorties are flown daily by the 2nd Airborne Command and Control Squadron (ACCS) and the 4th ACCS. Country: Unknown

U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II taking off, Aviano, Italy.

DN-SC-85-10055. Base: Naval Air Station, Miramar State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor assigned to the 90th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron flies alongside two Polish F-16s in formation during the NATO Air Shielding media day, Oct. 12, 2022 at Łask Air Base, Poland. The Raptors uphold the Air Shielding mission alongside Polish F-16s and Italian Eurofighter Typhoons. The event showcased the importance of NATOs Air Shielding mission and the interoperability among the U.S. and NATO Allies to international media through trilateral aerial demonstrations and interviews with service members. The U.S. remains dedicated to our security commitments with our NATO Alliance and postured to defend NATO territory.

F/A-18 Hornet and F8F Bearcat flying over Chino, California.

An air-to-air left rear view of two F-106 Delta Dart aircraft of the 102nd Fighter Interceptor Group participating in Exercise Amalgham CHIEF '87-1, an air defense training exercise. Subject Operation/Series: AMALGHAM CHIEF '87-1 Base: Elmendorf Air Force Base State: Alaska (AK) Country: United States Of America (USA)

020502-F-0193C-006. Subject Operation/Series: NORTHERN EDGE 2002 Country: United States Of America (USA)

An air-to-air front view of a C-5 Galaxy aircraft over the mountains near Santa Rosa. The C-5, one of the first to be painted in a camouflage pattern, is en route to Cairo, Egypt. State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A left front view of two F-4D Phantom II aircraft from the 183rd Tactical Fighter Group, as they take off during Exercise Coronet Brave. Subject Operation/Series: CORONET BRAVE Base: Raf Finningley Country: England / Great Britain (ENG)

DF-ST-93-03218. Country: United States Of America (USA)

NASA Dryden's Automated Aerial Refueling (AAR) project evaluated the capability of an F/A-18A aircraft as an in-flight refueling tanker with the objective of developing analytical models for an automated aerial refueling system for unmanned air vehicles. The F/A-18 "tanker" aircraft (No. 847) underwent flight test envelope expansion with an aerodynamic pod containing air-refueling equipment carried beneath the fuselage. The second aircraft flew as the receiver aircraft during the study to assess the free-stream hose and drogue dynamics on the F/A-18A.

DF-SN-82-00893. Country: Southeast Asia

181214-N-YW238-1163ARABIAN GULF (Dec. 14, 2018) Two F-35B Lightnings II, assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211, right, an F/A-18E Super Hornet, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 151, and an F/A-18F Super Hornet, assigned to VFA 41, fly in formation. The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group, Essex Amphibious Ready Group, and 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit are conducting integrated operations in the Arabian Sea to ensure stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points.

Instructor pilots assigned to the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program operate U.S. Air Force T-38C Talon aircraft above Wichita Falls, Texas, July 21, 2022. The ENJJPT program is conducted by the 80th Flying Training Wing and is the world's only multi-nationally manned and managed flying training program chartered to produce combat pilots for NATO.

An A-7D Corsair aircraft, lower left, from the 127th Tactical Fighter Wing flies with three allied aircraft during the NATO exercise Dragon Hammer '87. The aircraft are, clockwise from upper left, an Italian F-104S Starfighter aircraft, an Italian Tornado aircraft and a Turkish TF-104G Starfighter aircraft. Subject Operation/Series: DRAGON HAMMER '87 Country: Italy (ITA)

Two F-15 Eagles from the Massachusetts Air National Guard fly high over Cape Cod during a training mission.

010827-F-2171A-011. Base: Luke Air Force Base State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: AETC

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

020919-4649H-024. Subject Operation/Series: NORTHERN WATCH Country: Unknown Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

These two NASA F/A-18 aircraft are flying a test point for the Autonomous Formation Flight project over California's Mojave Desert.

An air-to-air right side view of two F-15 Eagle aircraft as one banks to the left during Reforger-Crested Cap II. Subject Operation/Series: REFORGERCRESTED CAP II Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)

FA18 Swiss Air Force military jets escort civilian airfields in the Swiss Alps

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.

AN air-to-air left side view of a KC-10A Extender aircraft, left, with a C-5A Galaxy aircraft during a C-5 proximity. Country: Unknown

DF-ST-89-05863. Base: George Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 staged aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7), while underway, May 24, 2022. Marines with VMFA-121, based out of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, are conducting flight operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

030514-F-7709A-012. Country: Gulf Of Mexico Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

Two U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit Stealth Bombers, assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing, fly a Bomber Task Force mission July 18, alongside two Royal Australian Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs, over Royal Australia Air Force Base Curtin, Australia, during exercise Koolendong 22. Exercise Koolendong 22 is a combined and joint force exercise focused on expeditionary advanced base operations conducted by U.S. service members and Australian Defence Force personnel. The BTF will conduct joint training and missions alongside Allies and partners in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

USAF F A-22 RAPTOR FLYING OVER MOUNTAINS

011113-F-2171A-007. Base: Randolph Air Force Base State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Air Force T-38 Talon, assigned to Langley Air Force Base, flies a training mission from Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, April 7, 2022. The trainer jets integrated with four F-35 Lightning II, assigned to Hill Air Force Base, as part of Exercise Agile Tiger. Agile Tiger enhances integration capabilities which enables combat-credible forces and grows war fighting talent.

030416-F-9085B-005. Subject Operation/Series: JOINT FORGE Country: Bosnia And/I Herzegovina (BIH)

070425-F-4192W-900. Base: Kirtland Air Force Base State: New Mexico (NM) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An F/A-18C Hornet aircraft of Carrier Wing Fifteen (CVW-15) assigned to the USS KITTY HAWK (CV-63), fires a Zuni 5 inch air to ground rockets during a training exercise on Naval Air Station Fallon's firing range. Base: Naval Air Station, Fallon State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An F-117 Nighthawk from the 53d Test and Evaluation Group's Detachment 1 releases a GBU-31 JDAM during a training sortie near Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico.

An air-to-air right overhead view of four F-16A Fighting Falcon in a diamond formation off the coast of Florida. The aircraft are assigned to the 56th Tactical Training Wing, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. Country: Unknown

DN-SN-90-04256. Country: Unknown

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.

USAF aircraft of the 4th Fighter Wing (F-16, F-15C and F-15E) fly over Kuwaiti oil fires, set by the retreating Iraqi army during Operation Desert Storm in 1991. The Persian Gulf War (August 2, 1990 - February 28, 1991), commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U. N. -authorized coalition force from thirty-four nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of the State of Kuwait. This war is commonly known as Operation Desert Storm, the First Gulf War, Gulf War I, or the Iraq War.

DF-SD-07-25424. Base: Unknown

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Three A-10C Thunderbolt II Aircraft from the 74th and 75th Fighter Squadron fly in formation during a training session here March 16. Theses aircrafts fly in several different formations and also shot flairs during their training.

DF-ST-87-09630. Subject Operation/Series: TEAM SPIRIT Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

A U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet flies through Death Valley, California.

An air-to-air left side view of an F-16B Fighting Falcon aircraft with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles mounted on the inboard and outboard wing pylons and the wingtips. A spin-control parachute container is attached to the aircraft's tail section and an AN/ALQ-119 electronic countermeasures (ECM) pod is attached to the fuselage centerline. Base: Edwards Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Flying fighter with military ammunition during war conflict, warfare concept

DN-ST-88-04029. Country: Unknown

An air-to-air left side view of four F-16A Fighting Falcon aircraft over a snow-covered mountain range. The aircraft are assigned to the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Hill Air Force Base, Utah. Country: Unknown

F-22 Raptors US Air Force

DN-SC-87-04325. Country: Unknown

An air-to-air right side view of three Attack Squadron 72 (VA-72) A-7E Corsair II aircraft in formation en route to their targets during Operation Desert Storm. The aircraft are carrying Mark 20 Rockeye II anti-tank cluster bombs on their outboard wing pylons and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles on their fuselage pylons. VA-72 is based aboard the aircraft carrier USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67), which is operating in the Red Sea. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Iraq (IRQ)

DN-SC-88-05457. Country: Unknown

A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor and a P-51D Mustang conduct a heritage flight during the 2022 Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Air Show at MCAS Miramar, San Diego, California, Sept. 24, 2022. The F-22 Raptor is the Air Forces fifth-generation fighter aircraft. Its combination of stealth, supercruise, maneuverability, and integrated avionics, coupled with improved supportability, represents an exponential leap in warfighting capabilities. The theme for the 2022 MCAS Miramar Air Show, Marines Fight, Evolve and Win, reflects the Marine Corps ongoing modernization efforts to prepare for future conflicts.

An A-10 Thunderbolt II receives fuel from a KC-135E Stratotanker during a training mission Friday, April 14, 2006, over Tucson, Ariz. The A-10 is from the 358th Fighter Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., and the KC-135E is from the Air National Guard's 101st Air Refueling Wing at Bangor, Maine.

An air-to-air overhead view of U.S. and Egyptian aircraft flying in formation during exercise Bright Star '83. Subject Operation/Series: BRIGHT STAR '83 Country: Egypt (EGY)

DF-ST-86-08035. Base: Cairo West Country: Egypt (EGY)

DN-SC-85-00565. Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

A pair of Italian Air Force AMX Ghibli aircraft in flight over the Dolomites.

200129-N-KP021-0001 ATSUGI, Japan (Jan. 29, 2020) An F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to the Diamondbacks” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 102 conducts flight operations. VFA-102 is attached to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, forward-deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

060910-N-1087H-035. Base: Nas Oceana State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An overhead right side view of an A-10A Thunderbolt aircraft undergoing in-flight refueling through the boom of a KC-10A Extender aircraft..

A-10C Thunderbolt II with the Demonstration Team from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base flies next to a KC-135R Stratotanker with the 155th Air Refueling Wing, Aug. 11, 2022, during an air refueling. A-10 pilots received fuel from the 173rd Air Refueling Squadron in order to arrive and prepare for their air show in Akron, Ohio.

030417-F-6809H-002. Country: Unknown Scene Major Command Shown: 398th AEG

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Falcon from the South Dakota Air National Guards 114th Fighter Wing flying with a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker from the Iowa Air National Guards 185thAir Refueling Wing pass over the North Dakota State capital of Bismarck, N.D. on June 27, 2023. The aircraft are part of a nationwide aerial refueling demonstration, commemorating the 100thanniversary of air refueling.

A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker refuels U.S. Navy F/A-18 Hornets from Carrier Air Wing Nine deployed from the aircraft carrier USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) while flying over Kuwait during Operation Southern Watch. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH Country: Unknown

Mix formation of jets during Exercise NATO Tiger Meet 2018, Poland.

DF-SC-88-02384. Country: Unknown

040914-F-6701P-006. Base: Lask Air Base State: Lodzkie Country: Poland (POL)

DN-SC-87-09365. Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

A graph depicting comparisons between Soviet and U.S. air defense interceptor aircraft. Country: Unknown

USSR and US Long-Range Strike Aircraft. Courtesy of Soviet Military Power, 1984. PHOTO No. 20, (Page 27). Country: Unknown

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