Air Force Operations and Aircraft

Photographs of military aircraft on the ground and in preparation, illustrating air force operations and maintenance activities.

An F/A-18D Hornet on the ramp at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.

030317-F-5712B-012. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Country: Unknown

980311-F-4116M-003. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH 1998 Base: Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base State: Al Ahmadi Country: Kuwait (KWT) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

020201-F-6565E-005. Subject Operation/Series: NOBLE EAGLE Base: Langley Air Force Base State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

Ground crewmen prepare to marshal an F-16A Fighting Falcon aircraft out of a ramp area during exercise Border Star '81. The aircraft is assigned to the 34th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing. Subject Operation/Series: BORDER STAR '81 Base: Holloman Air Force Base State: New Mexico (NM) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Air National Guard airmen from the 138th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Tulsa, OK, perform routine maintenance on F-16 Fighting Falcons as a thick cloud of fog passes over the installation, Oct. 27, 2016.

An F/A-18D Hornet on the ramp at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.

Airman 1st Class John Esquivel, 52nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron assistant dedicated crew chief, inspects the cockpit of a U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 480th Fighter Squadron at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, Sept. 21, 2022. Airmen work around-the-clock performing a variety of maintenance checks and repairs to ensure the aircraft is safe to operate.

An F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 309th Fighter Squadron, Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., taxis to the runway during Green Flag-West 14-09 at Nellis AFB, Nev., Aug. 21, 2014. Green Flag exercises give visiting units the opportunity to train in air-to-ground combat operations. Many of the training exercise scenarios call for providing air support to ground troops who are participating in ground combat exercises.

U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagles assigned to the 123rd Fighter Squadron, Portland Air National Guard Base, Oregon, taxi during Weapons System Evaluation Program-East 22.08 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, May 17, 2022. WSEP is a formal, two-week evaluation exercise designed to test a squadrons capabilities to conduct live-fire weapons systems during air-to-air combat training missions.

Ground crewmen clean and polish a Fighter Squadron 102 (VF-102) F-14A Tomcat aircraft after a missionduring Reconnaissance Air Meet '86. Subject Operation/Series: RECONNAISSANCE AIR MEET '86 Base: Bergstrom Air Force Base State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A U.S. Navy F/A-18C Hornet lights the afterburners.

U.S. Navy Aviation Structural Airman Alan Luasalas, Electronic Attack Squadron 131, performs a pre-flight inspection during RED FLAG-Alaska 22-3 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 5, 2022. RF-A serves as an ideal platform for international engagement, and the exercise has a long history of including allies and partners, ultimately enabling all involved to exchange tactics, techniques and procedures while improving interoperability.

U.S. Airmen with the 159th Fighter Wing, Louisiana Air National Guard, Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, Louisiana, perform maintenance on an F-15C Eagle during Weapons System Evaluation Program-East 23.01 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Oct. 12, 2022. WSEP-E 23.01 combined COMBAT ARCHER and COMBAT HAMMER exercises, allowing participating units to be evaluated on not only air-to-air weapons employment normally held at Tyndall, but air-to-ground weapons as well.

An F-16 Fighting Falcon taxis out for a training mission, Canadian Forces Base, Cold Lake, Canada

Maintenance professionals from Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, prepare F-15E Strike Eagles for mission operations during exercise Raging Gunfighter 22-2 at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, May 22, 2022. The Mountain Home Range Complex terrain and airspace provides 9,600 square miles of unique and challenging training opportunities for the Department of Defense.

A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18C Hornet aircraft with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232 taxis the flight line during Cope North 24 at Tinian, Northern Mariana Islands, Feb. 13, 2024. Marines with Marine Aircraft Group 12 traveled from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, and trained at Tinian during their participation in Cope North 24. Allies and partners train together during the multilateral exercise, Cope North 24, to improve shared tactics and multilateral defense capabilities. Marine Corps

220905-N-TF-1248 VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (Sept. 5, 2022) A Navy officer assigned to the Sunliners of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 81, dsiembarks an F/A-18 Super Hornet during a homecoming onboard Naval Air Station Oceana. VFA 81, attached to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1, completed a nine-month deployment onboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) as part of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group in support of naval operations to maintain maritime stability and securityt.

U.S. Air Force Airmen perform a pre-flight inspection on an F-15E Strike Eagle at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, Sep. 29, 2022. The F-15E Strike Eagle is capable of performing air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.

041214-F-3412A-001. Base: Lambert Iap State: Missouri (MO) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Maintenance professionals from Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, prepare F-15E Strike Eagles for mission operations during exercise Raging Gunfighter 22-2 at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, May 22, 2022. The Mountain Home Range Complex terrain and airspace provides 9,600 square miles of unique and challenging training opportunities for the Department of Defense.

Lt. Col. Joost Luijsterburg, Royal Netherlands Air Force detachment commander, Morris Air National Guard Base, prepares to climb the crew ladder into his F-16 Fighting Falcon at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. This is the last temporary duty that the RNLAF will make with the 162nd Wing before they return to the Netherlands.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Annalisa Neal, 140th Logistics Readiness Squadron,petroleum, oil and lubricants, 140th Wing, stands in front of F-16 Fighting Falcon as it refuels after performing aerial combat maneuvers at Miramar Marine Corp Air Station, on Aug, 2023. The 140th Wing is performing aerial maneuvers and training with the F-18 fighter jets, stationed at Miramar Air Station, to enhance their wartime readiness capabilities utilizing the latest combat scenarios.

Two Republic of Korea Air Force F-15K Slam Eagles assigned to the 110th Fighter Squadron and an 8th Fighter Wing F-16 Fighting Falcon taxi on the flightline at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Sept. 22, 2022. The two nations routinely fly training missions to increase interoperability between the two Air Forces in and around the Korean peninsula.

Japan Air Self-Defense Force personnel prep an F-15J for take off in support of Exercise Southern Beach at Naha Air Base, Japan, Sept. 16, 2022. Exercise Southern Beach is a locally organized bilateral training exercise that enhances interoperability by providing the opportunity for 18th Wing and JASDF units to practice mission planning, flying and debriefing together.

French Air Force personnel conduct pre-flight checks on French Dassault Rafales during Point Blank 22-2 at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, April 28, 2022. The 48th Fighter Wing regularly takes part in this multilateral exercise as a way to strengthen interoperability with allied nations and develop skills critical to gaining and maintaining air superiority.

DF-ST-87-11702. Subject Operation/Series: WILLIAM TELL '86 Base: Tyndall Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

The crew chief of an US Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft assigned to the 8th Fighter Wing at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea performs preflight checks as the marshal stand in front of the aircraft. From the June 2000 AIRMAN Magazine article "U.S.-South Korean alliance Strong.". Base: Kunsan Air Base Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

030514-F-0681L-073. Base: Fargo State: North Dakota (ND) Country: United States Of America (USA)

020416-F-2939A-008. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Manas International Airport Country: Kyrgyzstan (KGZ)

970422-F-8806R-003. Subject Operation/Series: ROVING SANDS Base: Roswell Industrial Air Center State: New Mexico (NM) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to Shaw Air Force Base and Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, perform an integrated combat turn with an F-16 Fighting Falcon during Exercise Iron Hand 22-09 at North Auxiliary Airfield, South Carolina, Aug. 26, 2022. During an ICT, Airmen refuel and re-arm a jet while it is still running to minimize time on the ground.

A U.S. Air Force pilot and Weapons Officer from Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, settle in to an F-15E Strike Eagle for a training mission August 22, 2022. The Mountain Home Range Complex terrain and airspace provides 9,600 square miles of unique and challenging training opportunities for the Department of Defense.

An F-22 Raptor with the 525th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron out of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, rests on the airfield after receiving fuel from a C-17 Globemaster III out of Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, during Exercise Bamboo Eagle 24-1 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Feb. 2, 2024. Airmen from Yokota Air Base, Japan; Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii; JBER; and JB Charleston, aligned various skillsets to complete the first-ever Air Mobility Command-to-F-22 Raptor refueling. BE 24-1 was a first-of-its-kind exercise directed by the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center and is composed of approximately 3,000 U.S. joint service members, allies and partners from the Royal Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force, and more than 150 aircraft from 24 units dispersed across more than 10 locations in the western U.S. Through the use of designated air space, BE 24-1 provided Airmen, allies and partners a flexible, combat-representative, multidimensional battlespace to conduc

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Alex Henning, 96th Maintenance Squadron crew chief, marshals an F-15EX Eagle after its arrival for The Great Texas Airshow Apr. 21, 2022, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. The U.S. Air Force is celebrating its 75th anniversary with a The Great Texas Airshow as a key event. The airshow features the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron Thunderbirds performing for people 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 Forces premier multi-role fighter jet, the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

U.S. Air Force Block 50 F-16CM Fighting Falcons, assigned to the 179th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, taxi to the runway at Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, June 20, 2022. The 179th EFS projects combat airpower across AFCENTs area of responsibility, supporting personnel, improving force movement, and showing U.S. and partner nations resolve in the region.

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 125th Fighter Squadron, Tulsa Air National Guard, Oklahoma, taxis the flight line during Checkered Flag 23-1 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Nov. 4, 2022. Checkered Flag is a large-force aerial exercise held at Tyndall which fosters readiness and interoperability through the incorporation of 4th-and 5th-generation aircraft during air-to-air combat training. The 23-1 iteration of the exercise was held Oct. 31- Nov. 10, 2022.

U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 435th Contingency Response Squadron perform hot-pit refueling on a F-15E Strike Eagle assigned to the 492nd Fighter Squadron at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, July 27, 2022. The training taking place gives the U.S. Air Force the ability to employ contingency response teams in support of combat assets in the European and African theaters.

A French Air Force Mirage 2000 aircraft and pilot.

A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18D Hornet aircraft with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232 is refueled from a forward arming and refueling point during Cope North 24 at Northwest Field, Guam, Feb. 20, 2024. Allies and partners train together during the multilateral exercise, Cope North 24, to improve shared tactics and multilateral defense capabilities. Marine Corps

040222-F-1789V-006. Base: Lajes Field State: Azores Country: Portugal (PRT) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

DF-ST-86-12771. Subject Operation/Series: COPE MAX 85 Base: Kadena Air Base State: Okinawa Country: Japan (JPN)

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 555th Fighter Squadron taxis out during exercise Falcon Strike 2022 at Amendola Air Base, Italy, Nov. 15, 2022. Falcon Strike 22 provided an opportunity for NATO nations to test fourth-generation airpower like the F-16 in ally as well as adversary roles with fifth-generation airpower.

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle from Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, takes off to perform mission operations during Raging Gunfighter 22-2 at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, May 22, 2022. Raging Gunfighter gives wing members a realistic and dynamic environment that the Airmen could encounter in potential combat operations.

030422-F-0856M-045. Country: Unknown Scene Major Command Shown: Centaf

An F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 366th Air Expeditionary Group (AEG), is prepped for a sortie, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Country: Unknown Scene Major Command Shown: CENTCOM

040113-F-4350W-010. Base: RAF Lakenheath State: East Anglia Country: England / Great Britain (ENG) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

An 80th Fighter Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon sits on the flightline as two Republic of Korea Air Force F-15K Slam Eagles assigned to the 110th Fighter Squadron taxi at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Sept. 22, 2022. The two nations routinely host training events aimed at increasing their mission focus and interoperability.

U.S. Air Force Col. Shaun Bellamy, the 378th Air Expeditionary Wing A/2,3,5 director, sits in the cockpit of an F-16 Fighting Falcon, while Senior Airman Stace Bechtel, a 77th Expeditionary Fighter Generation Squadron crew chief, conducts pre-flight preparations, prior to launch, from Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Nov. 14, 2022. These F-16s currently assigned to the 77th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron play a key role in supporting the 378th AEW's mission of sustaining and defending joint and partner forces by projecting combat airpower in support of theater plans and operations.

The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, known as the "Thunderbirds", perform at the 2022 Sun N' Fun Aerospace Expo in Lakeland, Florida, April 8, 2022. Sun N' Fun was the Thunderbirds' third show of the season and first civillian show of the year.

A crew chief assigned to the 419th Fighter Wing, Hill Air Force Base, Utah marshals in an F-35A Lightning II during exercise Sentry Savannah at the Air Dominance Center in Savannah, Georgia on May 4, 2022. Exercises like Sentry Savannah, not only train and test the counter air capabilities of fighter pilots, but they provide critical experience and training to maintenance Airmen in the rapid employment and recovery of aircraft.

020424-F-9082S-001. Base: Elmendorf Air Force Base State: Alaska (AK) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: AMC

030917-F-6565E-008. Base: Duluth International Airport State: Minnesota (MN) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. YuXuan Xu, a fixed-wing aircraft mechanic with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 312, begins post-flight procedures on an F/A-18D Hornet aircraft after it lands at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Jan. 26, 2023. VMFA-312 traveled from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam to conduct joint-level training as a part of the Aviation Training Relocation Program and enhance the squadrons readiness and combat capabilities.

An F-15C assigned to the 57th Wing, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, takes off for the final time, June 21, 2022. The F-15C Eagle division of the 433rd Weapons Squadron, graduated its final class Dec. 11, 2021.

020916-F-7449W-002. Base: Waterkloof Air Force Base State: Pretoria Country: South Africa (ZAF) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

A right rear view of an F-111 aircraft half silhouetted by sunlight amid dark clouds. Twenty-six F-111 aircraft of the 347th Tactical Fighter Wing are being redeployed from Korat Air Base, Thailand, to the United States due to a reduction in forces. Base: Hickam Air Force Base State: Hawaii (HI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Military Jets Fixed Wing Boeing Aviat Airplanes FA-18 Hornet grey ground crew refueling yellow pipes

A US Navy F/A-18 Hornet from Strike Fighter Squadron 113 (VFA-113), Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif., taxis down the runway after landing at Roswell Industrial Air Center during the annual air defense exercise. Subject Operation/Series: ROVING SANDS '95 Base: Roswell State: New Mexico (NM) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A floodlight illumainates the work area for maintenance crewmen performing nighttime service on an F-15 Eagle aircraft. The F-15, assigned to the 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing, is participating in the air-to-air combat training exercise William Tell '82. Subject Operation/Series: WILLIAM TELL '82 Base: Tyndall Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Navy Boeing F/A-18D ( two-seat ) Hornet immediately before touchdown during early evening operations at NAF El Centro, CA.

021010-F-4649H-008. Subject Operation/Series: NORTHERN WATCH Base: Incirlik Air Base, Adana Country: Turkey (TUR)

A 44th Fighter Squadron pilot waves as he taxis down the runway at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Dec. 14, 2022. The 18th Wing fighter squadrons and maintenance personnel remain postured to contend with real-world scenarios through routine training and exercises that strengthen teamwork and rapid-response capabilities.

Preparing an F-15E Strike Eagle at Bagram Air Base

Thirty-three A-10 Thunderbolt IIs arrive at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho, to compete in Hawgsmoke 2022, Sept 7, 2022. Hawgsmoke is a biennial USAF bombing, missile, and tactical gunnery competition for A-10 Thunderbolt II units which provides unique training.

F-16 at Sunset

Senior Airman Christopher McConnell, a 621st Contingency Response Wing weather specialist, stands ready to marshal a departing fighter aircraft, during Exercise Bamboo Eagle, Feb. 1, 2024, Naval Air Station Point Mugu, California. Contingency response Airmen regularly train in tasks outside their primary duties, employing the multi-capable airman concept. Air Force

F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft's, armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles, from the 35th Fighter Squadron, Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, return from a simulated battle in the Korea province during the 8th Fighter Wing's Operational Readiness Inspection (ORI). The 8th Fighter Wing personnel are being evaluated on their wartime capabilities as well as their ability to survive and operate during their ORI. Base: Kunsan Air Base Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

011017-F-0308N-238. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Al Udeid Air Base, Doha Country: Qatar (QAT) Scene Major Command Shown: CENTCOM

U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagles on the ramp at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.

U.S. Navy Aviation Electrician Maintenance Chief John Delrusso, Electronic Attack Squadron 131, briefs U.S. Air Force service members during an immersion tour during RED FLAG-Alaska 22-3 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 3, 2022. RF-A is a premier training event for joint units to bolster interoperability while simultaneously honing combat skills to provide joint forces the opportunity to exercise combat capabilities through shared tactics, techniques, and procedures under a simulated war-time environment.

U.S. Airmen with the 366th Munitions Squadron load munitions onto an F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft from the 366th Fighter Wing at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, during Exercise Rainier War 22B at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho, Oct. 20, 2022. Rainier War 22B is a full-scale readiness exercise with an Air Force Force Generation prioritization; demonstrating the ability to generate, employ and sustain a combat force during a rigorous wartime scenario.

A maintainer prepares a NORAD aircraft to take off from Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans in support of North American Aerospace Defense Command's Operation Noble Defender March 24, 2023. Continental U.S. NORAD Region coordinated the launch of the U.S. Air Force F-15 Eagles from the Louisiana Air National Guard's 159th Fighter Wing and an E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft to conduct intercept operations with a B-52 Stratofortress bomber as it entered the U.S. Air Defense Identification Zone off the coast of New Orleans. NORAD units exercised maneuvers designed to defend the southern approach to the United States from simulated cruise missile threats in this particular OND.

DF-ST-87-11674. Subject Operation/Series: WILLIAM TELL '86 Base: Tyndall Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

General Dynamics F-16A met AIM Sidewinder bewapening

A United States Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet assigned to the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 323 out of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, prepares for takeoff at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Sept. 20, 2022. Joint operations allow each squadron to develop realistic training concepts and establish necessary processes and relationships to smoothly deploy in the future.

U.S. Air Force Capt. Chris "Brave" Hartman, 77th Fighter Squadron pilot, is marshaled to a parking spot by Staff Sgt. Patrick "Ripper" De Jesus, Pacific Air Forces F-16 Demonstration Team crew chief, at Sakhir Air Base, Bahrain, prior to the Bahrain International Airshow (BIAS) 22, November 6, 2022. BIAS, a biennial event, presents an opportunity to strengthen military-to-military relationships with regional partners and promote U.S. national security objectives in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

001020-N-6699W-004. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH 2000 Base: Uss Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72)

A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II assigned to the 25th Fighter Squadron, Osan Air Base, South Korea, sits on the flightline at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 18, 2022, prior to participating in Red Flag-Alaska 22-2. The aircraft participated in Red Flag-Alaska 22-1, a Pacific Air Forces-sponsored joint and multilateral exercise designed to provide realistic training in a simulated combat environment, with primary flight operations over the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex.

An F-15D Eagle aircraft of the 59th Tactical Fighter Squadron taxis toward the flight line prior to departing for an air show in Daytona Beach, Florida. Rep. Bill Chappel of Florida is in the rear seat of the aircraft and LTC Steve Wilson is the pilot. Base: Andrews Air Force Base State: Maryland (MD) Country: United States Of America (USA)

57th Maintenance Group Aircraft Armament Systems specialist Airmen stand in front of an F-35A Lightning II in preparation for the third quarter Load Crew Competition at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Oct. 14, 2022. These competitions are an integral part in load crew tradition while also building morale.

A left side view of a Marine Fighter-Attack Squadron 321 (VMFA-321) F/A-18A Hornet aircraft parked on the flight line as the pilot performs a preflight check. Base: Naval Air Facility, Andrews Afb State: Maryland (MD) Country: United States Of America (USA)

020612-F-8425S-003. Base: Aviano Air Base State: Pordenone Country: Italy (ITA)

The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, known as the Thunderbirds, perform during the Frontiers in Flight Open House and Air Show Sep. 24, 2022, at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. The Thunderbirds were the headline performance for McConnells first air show in four years.

An F-15E Eagle aircraft of the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing taxis on the runway as it prepares to deploy to Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Desert Shield. The aircraft is equipped with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Base: Seymour Johnson Air Force Base State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Lt. Col. Joost Luijsterburg, Royal Netherlands Air Force detachment commander, Morris Air National Guard Base, waits to taxi his aircraft at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. This is the last temporary duty that the RNLAF will make with the 162nd Wing before they return to the Netherlands.

A 43rd Fighter Generation Squadron weapons load crew moves an AIM-120 toward their F-22 Raptor during the units competition July 21 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Two teams competed to see who could load an AIM-120, an AIM-9 onto their F-22 the fastest and with the fewest errors. The winner will be announced at the units quarterly awards ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

U.S. Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 312 return home from deployment at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, June 9, 2022. VMFA-312 returned from a deployment in support of NATOs enhanced Air Policing mission in Eastern Europe. The deployment was conducted in coordination with host nations and military authorities and was a prudent measure to increase readiness and enhance Eastern Europes collective defense. VMFA-312 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force.

A 401st Tactical Fighter Wing F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft taxis to the end of a runway during Operation Desert Storm. The aircraft is armed with Mark 84 2,000-pound bombs and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles.. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Saudi Arabia(SAU)

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Tahraun Sibley, an avionics craftsman assigned to the 492nd Aircraft Maintenance Unit, signals an F-15E Strike Eagle after a routine flight operation at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, June 8, 2022. The 48th Fighter Wing conducts routine flight operations to provide responsive combat capability to defend NATO allies and enhance regional security.

An F-15 aircrew from the 4th Fighter Wing, Seymour-Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, waits to taxi to start another sortie in support of CENTRAL ENTERPRISE '98 at Karup Air Station in Denmark. Subject Operation/Series: CENTRAL ENTERPRISE '98 Base: Karup Air Base Country: Denmark (DNK)

U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors assigned to the 1st Fighter Wing, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, sit on the flight line during Weapons System Evaluation Program-East 22.12 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Sept. 14, 2022. WSEP-E 22.12 is a formal, two-week evaluation exercise designed to test a squadrons capabilities to conduct live-fire weapons systems during air-to-air combat training missions.

A pair of U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles assigned to the 494th Fighter Squadron, taxi prior to taking off on a routine training mission at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, June 15, 2022. The Liberty Wings forward and ready presence in the UK grants it the ability to quickly respond to crises, reassure allies, and underpin the United States commitment to NATO's collective defense.

The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron "Thunderbirds" train in Edwards Air Force Base, California, Jan. 22 - Feb. 5, 2024. This marked the third annual Thunderbirds winter training trip, which allows the team to rehearse the show prior to kickstarting the season in March. Air Force

U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Ernest Rogers, a crew chief with the South Carolina Air National Guards 169th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, communicates with Colombian Air Force pilot Capt. David Cordoba as he prepares him for a familiarization flight in an F-16D Fighting Falcon with U.S. Air Force Col. Quaid Quadri, Commander of South Carolina Air National Guards 169th Fighter Wing during Relampago VII, an exercise in Barranquilla, Colombia, Sept. 7, 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.

020520-F-2902B-002. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Bagram State: Parwan Country: Afghanistan (AFG)

030212-F-1798W-002. Subject Operation/Series: COPE TIGER 2003 Base: Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base Country: Thailand (THA)

U.S. Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 323, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, prepare F/A-18C Hornets to deploy to Poland from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, June 6, 2022. VMFA-323 is deployed to Poland to provide defensive counter-air support to our NATO allies and partners. NATOs strength lies in its unity, which has never been greater than it is today.

A right rear view of a Kuwaiti KF-18C Hornet aircraft parked on the flight line. Behind the Kuwaiti aircraft are two F/A-18A Hornet aircraft of Marine Corps Strike Fighter Squadron 321 (VMFA-321). Base: Naval Air Facility, Andrews Afb State: Maryland (MD) Country: United States Of America (USA)

British Tornados from 12th Royal Air Force squadron located in Lossiemouth, England, taxi off the runway after a final flight over the skies of Portugal during exercise Strong Resolve '98. The Squadron was operating out of the Beja Air Base in Beja, Portugal. Subject Operation/Series: STRONG RESOLVE '98 Base: Beja Air Base Country: Portugal (PRT)

of 4