Air Mobility Operations at Dusk

Images depict military aircraft such as C-17, KC-135, and B-52 undergoing maintenance and pre-flight checks during twilight hours, creating a dramatic and operational atmosphere.

A KC-10 Extender with the 6th Air Refueling Squadron undergoes pre-flight checks during Exercise Agile Tiger, April 6, 2022, Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri. Our advantage is the teamwork, resiliency, and adaptability of Airmen. We are united by our mission to execute nuclear operations and global strike anytime anywhere, and are determined to stay on the leading edge.

Staff Sgt. Carl Haynes, 725th Air Mobility Squadron electrical and environmental systems technician, attaches a power cart to a C-17 Globemaster III at Naval Station Rota, Spain, April 4, 2022. As NAVSTA Rotas only Air Mobility Command presence, the 725th AMS provides command and control, maintenance and air transportation support for all U.S. Transportation Command aircraft transiting through the base.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Justin Stromhmeyer Bosso, a KC-135 Stratotanker crew chief assigned to the 22nd Air Maintenance Squadron, McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, de-ices a KC-135 Stratotanker during RED FLAG Alaska 23-1 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Oct. 11, 2022. The Indo-Pacific is a top priority for the United States and the DoD; exercises like RF-A display a commitment to ensuring U.S. forces are capable and ready to face the evolving challenges in the region.

Front view of a B-52 Stratofortress aircraft, being readied for an alert mission, as assistant crew chief A1C Dick LaFuze inspects the top of the aircraft. Base: Grand Forks Air Force Base State: North Dakota (ND) Country: United States Of America (USA)

011027-F-5795G-002. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Country: Unknown Scene Major Command Shown: CENTCOM

A KC-10 Extender with the 6th Air Refueling Squadron undergoes pre-flight checks during Exercise Agile Tiger, April 6, 2022, Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri. Our advantage is the teamwork, resiliency, and adaptability of Airmen. We are united by our mission to execute nuclear operations and global strike anytime anywhere, and are determined to stay on the leading edge.

A C-17 Globemaster III sits on the flight line Jan. 24, 2022, at Travis Air Force Base, California. The 21st Airlift Squadron flew a joint training mission with the U.S. Marine Corps transporting Marines and their equipment, including High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems.(U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexander Merchak)

A UH-1N Twin Huey helicopter assigned to the 459th Airlift Squadron sits in front of the cargo bay of a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Jan. 27, 2022. The helicopter will be used in humanitarian assistance and/or disaster relief operations during Cope North 2022, an annual field training exercise conducted primarily at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Braden Anderson)

970218-F-5742K-003. Subject Operation/Series: AIR EXPEDITIONARY FORCE Base: Moron Air Base State: Sevilla Country: Spain (ESP)

020103-F-2034C-004. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Thumrait Air Base Country: Oman (OMN) Scene Major Command Shown: 405th Air Expeditionary Wing

A C-17 Globemaster III from the 62d Airlift Wing, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, prepares to take off during Exercise Rainier War 22B, from Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, Oct. 20, 2022. Rainier War is the 62d Airlift Wings most expansive exercise, where they deploy as the lead wing and provide command and control and airlift capabilities like airdrop and airland.

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Roger Stuksa, a flight engineer, and Maj. Dustin Schelegle, an aircraft commander, both with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, communicate after flying a C-130J Super Hercules to Pohang, South Korea, Jan. 20, 2023. III MSB sent a small quartering party to prepare the main body movement prior to Bushido Strike 23, a training event in South Korea where III MSB will conduct their Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation to validate its mission essential tasks to provide combat service support, and administrative services to III Marine Expeditionary Force.

041021-F-9429S-001. Subject Operation/Series: CRISIS OUTLOOK 2004 Base: Phelps-Collins Angb, Alpena State: Michigan (MI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A KC-130 with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR-352), 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (MEU(SOC)) silhouetted at a forward area refueling point at an undisclosed location in the ENDURING FREEDOM area of operations during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Country: Unknown Scene Major Command Shown: 26 MEU

A United States Marine Corps KC-130J Super Hercules parked at Kuantan Air Base, Malaysia.

U.S. Air Force aircrew members assigned to the 26th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, execute a combat airlift mission with an HC-130J Combat King II aircraft at an undisclosed location within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, October 31, 2022. The HC-130J is a rapidly deployable, multi-capable airframe, capable of performing combat search and rescue, aerial refueling, and combat airlift missions within the CENTCOM AOR.

Five B-52H Stratofortresses sit on the flightline on July 7, 2022, at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota. The B-52H can carry and employ a large array of weapons, including gravity bombs, cluster bombs, precision-guided missiles, and joint direct attack munitions.

Tech. Sgt. Noah Polcar, a 154th Training Squadron formal training unit instructor, inspects the tail of an aircraft before a flight, Aug. 11, 2022, at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. The transition from C-130H to C-130J model aircraft has led to the 189th Airlift Wing integrating with the active duty component at the 62nd Airlift Squadron, where several Guardsmen aircrew have been training in preparation for the change.

NAVAL STATION ROTA, Spain (Aug. 23, 2022) Naval Station (NAVSTA) Rota Fire and Emergency Services fight a fire from a simulated plane crash during a flight line emergency drill on NAVSTA Rota, Spain, Aug. 23, 2022. Naval Station Rota sustains the fleet, enables the fighter and supports the family by conducting air operations, port operations, ensuring security and safety, assuring quality of life and providing the core services of power, water, fuel and information technology.

Airman 1st Class Cameron Young, 96th Bomb Squadron crew chief, performs pre-flight inspections on a B-52H Stratofortress at Barksdale Air Force Base Louisiana, Jan. 25, 2022. To maintain mission readiness, Barksdale is capable of dispatching B-52s at any hour. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class William Pugh)

A C-17 Globemaster III from the 105th Airlift Wing in Stewart, New York supported the 104th Fighter Wing Feb. 8, 2019, at Barnes Air National Guard Base, Massachusetts. The aircraft brought 104 FW Airmen who were on a temporary duty assignment at Patrick Air Force Base in Florida back to Barnes.

United States Marine Corps aircraft maintenance specialist working on an engine housed inside an engine nacelle of an MV-22 Osprey, Camp Bastion, Helmand Province, Afghanistan

A U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing, stationed at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, rests on the flight line at Edwards Air Force Base, California, Dec. 1, 2022. Airmen assigned to the 437th Airlift Wing and 509th BW performed a specialized fuel operation, marking the first time a C-17 refueled a B-2, increasing flexibility for the bomber to conduct agile combat employment operations

A C-130 Hercules aircraft takes off in the distance as a section of a Military Airlift Command C-5B Galaxy aircraft, foreground, is silhouetted by the morning sun at Grootfontein Logistics Base. The Galaxy is transporting Finnish United Nations troops to Namibia to function as a peacekeeping force. Base: Grootfontein Logistics Base Country: Namibia (NAM)

DF-ST-88-08383. Country: England / Great Britain (ENG)

An A-10 Thunderbolt II, assigned to the 354th Fighter Squadron, sits on the flight line during sunset at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Dec. 7, 2022. The A-10 provides close air support to ground forces due to being easily maneuverable at low altitudes.

A left rear silhouetted view of a Patrol Squadron 67 (VP-67) P-3B Orion aircraft on the flight line. Base: Naval Air Facility, Misawa State: Aomori Country: Japan (JPN)

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer, assigned to the 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, waits on a taxiway at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, for a Bomber Task Force mission June 8, 2022. Bomber Task Force missions strengthen the collective ability of the U.S. and our allies and partners to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific.

040929-F-9429S-001. Base: Grand Forks Air Force Base State: North Dakota (ND) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A front view of a 363rd Tactical Fighter Wing RF-4C Phantom II aircraft silhouetted against the early evening sky. Base: Luke Air Force Base State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A B-1B Lancer sits on the flightline while receiving a post-flight inspection. The B-1 can rapidly deliver massive quantities of precision and non-precision weapons against any adversary, anywhere in the world.

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Paige Sullivan, a crew chief with the 104th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Massachusetts Air National Guard, communicates with an F-15 Eagle pilot with the 131st Fighter Squadron, prior to launch during exercise Eagle Claw, a readiness exercise, June 11, 2022, at Barnes Air National Guard Base, Massachusetts. The exercise assessed Barnestormers ability to maintain air dominance in a simulated contested, degraded, and operationally limited environment and test their implementation of the Agile Combat Employment deployment concept.

A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker refuels an F-16 Fighting Falcon over the Pacific Ocean during Exercise Cope North 2012, Feb. 16, 2012. The U.S. Air Force, the Japanese Air Self Defense and the Royal Australian Air Force began Exercise Cope North 2012 here Feb. 11. The exercise, which ran through Feb. 24, was the latest in a series of multinational exercises designed to enhance each country's air operations.

Air to air right side view of two United States Air Force Europe (USAFE) F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 50th Tactical Fighter Wing, Hahn Air Base, Germany. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Country: Unknown

U.S. Air Force Maj. David Nance, from the 99th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron, drives behind a U-2 Dragon Lady aircraft while it lands at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia on Nov. 23, 2010. The U-2 needs a chase vehicle to communicate altitude and alignment corrections when landing.

030410-F-6809H-004. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Country: Unknown

Silhouette of a United States Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey, Camp Bastion, Helmand Province, Afghanistan

Members of the 615th Aerial Port Squadron from Travis Air Force Base, Calif., unload a 747 filled with 8,000 boxes of Meals Ready to Eat for relief victims from Hurricane Marilyn. Subject Operation/Series: HURRICANE MARILYN Base: Saint Croix State: Virgin Islands (VI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

View of 50 caliber machine gun and rocket pod mounted to the side of a United States Marine Corps UH-1Y Venom just prior to launching on a combat operation in the Helmand Province, Afghanistan from Camp Bastion

PACIFIC OCEAN (June 20, 2022) An F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to the Vigilantes” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 151 conducts a fly-by off the port side of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley (DDG 101). 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.

A C-5M Super Galaxy from the 22nd Airlift Squadron based out of Travis Air Force Base, California arrives with cargo to deliver to the 731st Air Mobility Squadron (AMS) at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, May 4, 2022. The 731st AMS is responsible for managing all air freight cargo for U.S. Forces Korea in support of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, U.S. Transportation Command, Combined Forces Command and United Nations Command.

A U.S. Air Force HC-130J Combat King II from the 79th Rescue Squadron sits on the flight line at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Oct. 5, 2022. The Combat King is the only fixed-wing personnel recovery aircraft in the Air Force and is essential to accomplishing DMs rescue mission.

A U.S. Air Force Airman looks over a C-17 Globemaster III upon its return to Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, Oct. 1, 2022, following Hurricane Ian. To carry on the rapid global mobility mission, all of Team Charlestons C-17s were either secured in a hangar or relocated prior to the storms landfall.

A crew chief inspects an engine of a 436th Military Airlift Wing C-5A Galaxy aircraft at Freetown International Airport prior to the plane's flight to Liberia. The aircraft is delivering food, medical supplies and other necessities as part of a U.S. humanitarian effort to provide such material to five African countries stricken by war and famine. Base: Freetown Country: Sierra Leone (SLE)

Cargo is loaded onto a C-17 Globemaster III on Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Sept. 7, 2022. The cargo supported Saber Junction 2022, the U.S. Army 173rd Airborne Brigades multinational rotational exercise designed to assess the readiness of the unit to execute unified land operations in a joint, combined environment and to promote interoperability with more than 4,500 participants from the U.S. and Allied and partner nations.

U.S. Air Force maintenance technicians from the 380th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, go over pre-flight inspections on their RQ-4 Global Hawk aircraft prior to a flying mission Nov. 23, 2010, while deployed at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia.

General Dynamics F-16A.

U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft from the 124th Fighter Wing, Gowen Field Air National Guard Base, Boise, Idaho, are parked on the flightline during Agile Rage 22 at Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center in Alpena, Mich., June 8, 2022. Agile Rage 22 is a National Guard Bureau-led exercise that provides realistic training opportunities, mimicking current and future combat environments dictated by the National Defense Strategy.

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Gabriel Martinez, 87th Flying Training Squadron instructor pilot, inspects each part of a T-38 Talon aircraft to make sure that it is suitable for flight at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, July 25, 2022. Laughlin trains the most pilots of any training base in the Air Force and is dedicated to producing combat-ready Airmen, leaders and pilots.

Aircrew assigned to the 34th Bomb Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, discuss their B-1B Lancer mission upon returning from a Bomber Task Force integration mission in the Indo-Pacific region at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, June 6 2022. Bomber Task Force missions strengthen the collective ability of the U.S. and our allies and partners to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific.

DN-ST-89-09010. Base: Naval Air Station, Fallon State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A B-52G Stratofortress bomber aircraft receives fuel prior to a mission in support of Operation Desert Storm.. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Unknown

DF-ST-85-04993. Subject Operation/Series: CORNET GAUNTLET '83 Base: Rygge Air Station Country: Norway (NOR)

A crew chief assigned to the 911th Maintenance Squadron performs a preflight inspection at the Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station, Pennsylvania, Jan. 4, 2024. Crew chiefs conduct pre-flight inspections before every flying mission ensuring the aircraft's operational readiness.

A F-16 Fighting Falcon takes off from Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, July 19, 2022. Members from the 40 Flight Test Squadron and 85 Test and Evaluation Squadron routinely preform night flying to maintain proficiencies.

U.S. Air Force, Illinois Air National Guard, 126th Air Refueling Wing KC-135 Stratotankers stand on a flightline during an inspection at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, May 14, 2022. The Nuclear Operations Readiness Inspection is an Air Mobility Command-sponsored assessment designed to provide select mobility air refueling forces a robust training opportunity to hone nuclear readiness and strategic deterrent capabilities through tailored field training activities.

Navy LT Greg Sullivan, catapult officer from the aircraft carrier USS RANGER (CV-61), practices a "launch" with the pilot of a restored B-25 Mitchell bomber. The bomber and other B-25s are at North Island to practice for a re-enactment of the April 18, 1942, raid of B-25s, the "Doolittle Raiders," launched from the aircraft carrier USS HORNET (CV-8) in the first U.S. attack on Japan's homeland during World War II. The re-enactment will take place April 21, 1992, from the RANGER near San Diego. Base: Naval Air Station, North Island State: California(CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Two C-130 Hercules with the Peoria Air National Guards 182nd Airlift Wing participate in integrated combat turns at the Combat Readiness Training Center, Alpena, MI, June 9, 2022. During Agile Rage 22, airmen from across the Air National Guard, to include the Idaho Air National Guards 124th Fighter Wing, came together to execute the Air Forces agile combat employment mission.

011011-F-1631A-004. Base: Aviano Air Base State: Pordenone Country: Italy (ITA) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

Maj. Bill Daley, a KC-46 pilot assigned to the 157th Air Refueling Wing, approaches a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, in the sky off the coast of New England, during the Super Sortie endurance flight, Aug. 3, 2022.

U.S. military personnel assigned to United States Central Command prepare a U.S. C-17A Globemaster III aircraft, loaded with critical supplies in support of a USAID-led humanitarian mission to Pakistan at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, Sep. 14, 2022. USAID leads the U.S. Government's international development and disaster assistance, helping people emerge from humanitarian crises, such as the catastrophic flooding currently plaguing Pakistan.

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. David Rasmussen, Global Strike Command MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopter test program flight engineer, pushes the fire extinguisher towards the helicopter during a hot refueling test at Hurlburt Field, Florida, Feb. 9, 2024. This is the first-ever Department of Defense hot gas refueling test on the new MH-139A, which is replacing the UH-1N Huey helicopter - a hot refuel involves refueling an aircraft with the engines still running, which reduces response time and keeps aircraft ready to complete any mission, anywhere Air Force

Aircrew from the 20th Bomb Squadron conduct a pre-flight check on a B-52H Stratofortress in support of RIMPAC 2022 at Barksdale Air Force Base, Aug. 1, 2022. Twenty-six nations, 38 ships, three submarines, more than 170 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 29 to Aug. 4 in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The worlds largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the worlds oceans. RIMPAC 2022 is the 28th exercise in the series that began in 1971.

A crewmember with the 325th Operations Support Squadron transient alert flight, guides a KC-135 Stratotanker after arriving for Checkered Flag 22-2 at Tyndall AFB, Florida, May 5, 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 22-2 iteration of the exercise was held May 9-20, 2022.

An A-10 Thunderbolt II takes off from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Jan. 28, 2016. The A-10 has maneuverability at low air speeds and altitude, and is a highly accurate and survivable weapons delivery platform.

Airmen from the 1st Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, work on an AC-130U Spooky Gunship on Marine Corp Air Station Miramar, Calif., Nov. 3, 2014. The 1st SOAMXS was on MCAS Miramar for a 1st Special Operations Wing Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise.

U.S. Air National Guard Senior Master Sgt. Kari Nettle is promoted to Chief Master Sgt. during a ceremony at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Columbus, Ohio, March 4, 2023. Nettle currently serves as the Senior Enlisted Leader of the 121st Force Support Squadron.

Part of the tent city erected by 43rd Airlift Wing personnel as seen from across the taxiway at Camp Mackall Army Air Field (AAF), North Carolina. Camp Mackall is located south of Fort Bragg, North Carolina, 52 miles from Pope Air Force Base. The Field was one of the primary bases used for training the airborne and glider forces used in such operations as the D-Day Invasion in Europe in 1944. Subject Operation/Series: GRYPHON WARRIOR 99-01 Base: Pope Air Force Base State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jonathan Knutson, 6th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, removes a leading-edge panel from a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, Aug. 15, 2022. Maintainers perform thorough preflight inspections on aircraft to ensure they meet safety standards and are ready to fly at a moments notice.

Aircrew with the 62d Airlift Wing prepare to board a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft during Exercise Rainier War 22B at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, Oct. 18, 2022. Rainier War is used to evaluate and exercise Team McChords ability to generate, employ and sustain Rapid Global Mobility into and in support of U.S. Indo-Pacific areas of responsibility.

PACIFIC OCEAN (April 2, 2014) An EA-18G Growler assigned to the Gauntlets” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 136 prepares to launch from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ronald Reagan is underway conducting a tailored ship’s training availability.

Teams peform Orion Parachute Test Vehicle (PTV) loading operations on July 22, 2013 in preparation for the July 24 parachute drop test at the U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona. Part of Batch image transfer from Flickr.

A US Air Force security police stand guard as Cuban nationals are transferred from a C-130 Hercules aircraft to a Cuban I1-62M airliner that will return them to Cuba. They were captured on Grenada during the multiservice, multinational Operation URGENT FURY. Subject Operation/Series: URGENT FURY Base: Seawell International Airport Country: Bangladesh (BGD)

Two U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z Viper helicopters assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369 sit inside a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III airplane attached to 204th Airlift Squadron while being unloaded by U.S. Marines on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 27, 2022. The C-17 carried two U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z helicopters from Hawaii to Okinawa, Japan as part of a routine effort to rotate aircraft in and out of Japan to lower maintenance problems and to train interoperability with the heavy lift capabilities of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Justin J. Marty)

060823-N-3013W-003. Base: Naval Air Station, Sigonella State: Sicily Country: Italy (ITA)

U.S. Air Force crew chiefs with the 510th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron complete preflight checks on F-16 Fighting Falcons returning home to Aviano Air Base, Italy from 86th Air Base, Romania, July 20, 2022. The 510th EFS was deployed to Romania to support the enhanced Air Policing operations over NATO airspace.

A C-130J Hercules, carrying a M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), approaches Allen Army Airfield during a joint force operation conducted by the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Marines at Fort Greely, Alaska, Feb. 16, 2024. The purpose of the operation was to conduct HIMARS Rapid Infiltration, also known as a HIRAIN, in support of exercise Arctic Edge 2024. Army

A U.S. Air Force Airman disembarks from a C-17 Globemaster III at Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Northern Territory, Australia on Aug. 18, 2022. Airmen routinely work alongside international Allies and partners to continuously build and strengthen interoperability and maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Consolidated transport planes being loaded, Consolidated Aircraft Corp., Fort Worth, Texas, USA, photograph by Howard R. Hollem, U.S. Office of War Information, October 1942

A C-130J Hercules assigned to Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., performs an engine-running offload at Geronimo Landing Zone on Fort Polk, La., Oct 17, 2012. The aircraft provided resupply to a major Joint Readiness Training Center exercise.

U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs assigned to the 388th Fighter Wing, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, arrive at Andersen AFB, Guam, to conduct Agile Combat Employment operations, June 20, 2022. ACE is a new warfighting concept that U.S. Pacific Air Forces is operationalizing to ensure agility, deterrence, and resiliency in a contested or degraded environment.

U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., speaks with Airmen at an all-call during his stop at Travis Air Force Base, California, Aug. 4, 2022. Brown stopped by The Gateway to the West on his way to visit bases throughout the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area of operations to help reinforce the United States commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

DN-ST-92-07223. Base: Naval Air Station, North Island State: California(CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A 36th Fighter Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon takes-off from Suwon Air Base, Republic of Korea, June 2, 2022. Two aircraft landed at the installation for hot-pit refueling training.

US Air Force members of the 319th Aircraft Generation Squadron (AGS), Grand Forks, North Dakota, use a MB2 Tow Tractor to move a USAF KC-135 Stratotanker to another location while deployed to Moron, Air Base, Spain, in support of Phoneix Duke II. Subject Operation/Series: PHOENIX DUKE II Base: Moron Air Base State: Sevilla Country: Spain (ESP)

Staff Sgt. Tyler Mitchell, 418th Test and Evaluation Squadron loadmaster, looks out the back of an HC-130J Combat King II at another Combat King that after completing aerial training during a BLACK FLAG 22-1 May 12, 2021, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. Black Flag 22-1 is focused on developing and validating large force tactics and integration required to deliver combat capability and tactical advantage for the Combat Air Force to build readiness that credibly deters and successfully defeats adversaries.

U.S.Air Force personnel from the 621st Contingency Response Wing, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., off load cargo from a Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., C-17 Globemaster III, Jan. 15, 2010, at the Port-au-Princce airport in support relief efforts to Haiti in the aftermath of a devastating earthquake.

220910-N-XH769-1138 BALTIC SEA (Sep. 10, 2022) U.S. Navy Sailors with the crash and salvage team observe flight operations aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) Sep. 10, 2022. The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, 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.

Staff Sgt. Aaron completes a KC-10 Extender preflight inspection before flying a sortie at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, Dec. 25, 2016. The 380th Air Expeditionary Wing has successfully offloaded more than 58 million pounds of fuel since the beginning of the liberation of Mosul, Iraq.

U.S. Marines with Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA(AW)) 533, and Airmen with the 36th Airlift Squadron, unload equipment from a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam May 26, 2022. Marines with VMFA(AW) 533 traveled from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam to enhance squadron readiness and conduct joint-level training as part of an Aviation Training Relocation Program.

DF-ST-86-10045. Base: Warner Robins Air Force Base State: Georgia (GA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Service members of the joint forces honor guard provide military honors during the departure of former President George H. W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States, from Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base, Texas Dec. 3, 2018. Nearly 4,000 military and civilian personnel from across all branches of the U.S. armed forces, including Reserve and National Guard components, provided ceremonial support. (Air National Guard

A U.S. Air Force Lockheed U-2, nicknamed Dragon Lady, conducts an aerial demonstration during the 2022 Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Air Show at MCAS Miramar, San Diego, California, Sept. 23, 2022. The U-2, a high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft with U.S. Air Force 9th Reconnaissance Wing, Beale Air Force Base, California, provides day and night, high-altitude, all-weather intelligence-gathering and reaches altitudes above 70,000 feet. 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.

050901-F-8963H-002. Base: Naval Air Station, New Orleans State: Louisiana (LA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

030928-F-9429S-016. Country: Unknown Scene Major Command Shown: AMC

United States Marine Corps MV-22 in expeditionary hangar for maintenance, Camp Bastion, Helmand Province, Afghanistan

A U.S. Air National Guard HC-130J assigned to the 211th Rescue Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, flys over JBERs Malemute Drop Zone during a rescue pack drop training, Oct. 19. 2022. The 211th Rescue Squadron conducts search and rescue missions, providing rescue support in Alaska, and also has a 72-hour world-wide response mission.

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