Aircraft Maintenance and Inspections

Servicemen performing maintenance on military aircraft, emphasizing operational readiness and technical inspections in various locations.

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Eric Scherrer, commanding officer, Marine Fighter Training Squadron 401 (VMFT-401), Marine Aircraft Group 41, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, enters an F-5N Tiger II at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, Oct. 28, 2022. VMFT-401 is the only adversary squadron with the mission to act as the opposing force in simulated air combat.

U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Blaze Belobrajdic, a pilot with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 775, Marine Aircraft Group 41, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, inspects a UH-1Y Venom helicopter before a close air support exercise on Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, California, May 12, 2022. HMLA-775, along with the other squadrons on the air station, provide aviation support that enables I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton tenant commands and visiting units to maintain and enhance their mission capabilities and combat readiness.

SENIOR AIRMAN (SRA) Larry Nielsen, a KC-10 Crew CHIEF from Travis Air Force Base, California washes his aircraft on Moron Air Base, Spain in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Moron Air Base State: Sevilla Country: Spain (ESP) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Caspien Greger, an aviation logistics tactical information systems specialist with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242 (left), and Sgt. Johnathan Whitaker, a fixed wing aircraft mechanic with VMFA-242 (right), conduct a post operation service inspection on an F-35B Lightning II aircraft with VMFA-242 in support of RED FLAG-Alaska 22-1 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, May 11, 2022. The Indo-Pacific is a top priority for the United States, and exercises like Red Flag-Alaska are committed to ensuring U.S. forces are capable and ready to face the evolving challenges in the region.

Sergeant Arnold of Marine Aircraft Group 41 works on an F-4 Phantom II aircraft during exercise BOLD EAGLE '82. Subject Operation/Series: BOLD EAGLE '82 Base: Naval Air Station, Dallas State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

1st Lt. Christopher Einfalt, a student pilot assigned to the 149th Fighter Wing, Air National Guard, conducts preflight checks prior to launch during Coronet Cactus, Mar. 29, 2023, at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. The annual training event deploys members of the 149th Fighter Wing, headquartered at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, to another environment in order to familiarize them with accomplishing mission objectives in an unfamiliar location.

011017-F-0308N-169. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Al Udeid Air Base, Doha Country: Qatar (QAT) Scene Major Command Shown: CENTCOM

During an unprecedented joint force exercise, members from the 151st Air Refueling Wing unload a Polaris Military Razor from a KC-135R Stratotanker on Sept. 8, 2022 at Dugway Proving Grounds, Utah. This exercise will develop new operational concepts, capabilities and plans to bolster deterrence and maintain the U.S. militarys competitive advantage for the future.

DF-ST-86-08665. Base: George Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Straight on medium shot as US Air Force SSGT Michael Taylor and SSGT James Natson from the 605 Aircraft Generation Squadron, McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey, vacuum ramp seams before the pre-flight maintenance inspection at Pope Air Force Base on May 7, 2000 during the Rodeo 2000 readiness competition. During the one week competition, more than 100 teams and 2,500 personnel from over 300 Air Force, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, U.S. Army units, and foreign nations will compete in airdrops, cargo loading, refueling, pre-flight, combat endurance, combat tactics, as well as other air and ground operations (Army units, foreign nations, airdrops, cargo loading, refueling, combat .... Complete Scene Caption: Straight on medium shot as US Air Force SSGT Michael Taylor and SSGT James Natson from the 605 Aircraft Generation Squadron, McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey, vacuum ramp seams before the pre-flight maintenance inspection at Pope Air Force Base on May 7, 2000 during the R

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Eric Scherrer, commanding officer, Marine Fighter Training Squadron 401 (VMFT-401), Marine Aircraft Group 41, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, enters an F-5N Tiger II at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, Oct. 28, 2022. VMFT-401 is the only adversary squadron with the mission to act as the opposing force in simulated air combat.

DF-ST-87-12354. Subject Operation/Series: RECONNAISSANCE AIR MEET '86 Base: Bergstrom Air Force Base State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Michael Faux, 660th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron production superintendent, inspects a KC-10 Extender engine as part of pre-flight checks on the flight line at Travis Air Force Base, California, Jan. 11, 2024. The 9th Air Refueling Squadron leaders designated this specific aircraft as the squadron flagship based off historical records and documentation. The term flagship traditionally referred to the ship that carried the commander of a naval fleet, deeming it most important.

STAFF SGT. Stephen Parks, member of the Physiological Support Division at Beale AFB, assists the pilot into a U-2R prior to take-off. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Published in AIRMAN Magazine, May 1994. Base: Beale Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

010924-F-5171M-031. Base: Minneapolis-St Paul Iap/Ars State: Minnesota (MN) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: AMC

970629-M-9816M-003. Subject Operation/Series: KERNEL BLITZ Base: Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: 3rd Marine Air Wing

Loadmasters work with the K-Loader driver to fine-tune the alignment between it and the C-141C Starlifter. The pallet with generators will be loaded and flown from Christchurch, New Zealand, to McMurdo Station in Antarctica as part of Operation DEEP FREEZE 2001. Subject Operation/Series: DEEP FREEZE 2001 Base: Christchurch State: Canterbury Country: New Zealand (NZL)

A corrosion control crewman paints an F-4 Phantom II aircraft as it undergoes transfer to another unit. Base: Kunsan Air Base Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

A CH-53E Super Stallion crew chief with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 366, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, conducts preflight checks for a M2A1 .50-caliber machine gun on a CH-53E Super Stallion on Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River in Jacksonville, North Carolina, Aug. 31, 2022. HMH-366 aviation maintenance Marines conduct routine preventative maintenance on CH-53E Super Stallion to ensure a constant state of readiness. MCAS New River provides aviation support, force protection, infrastructure, and community services to promote the readiness, sustainment and quality of life for II Marine Expeditionary Force and other military forces, tenant commands, personnel and their families.

221002-N-XN177-1064 PHILIPPINE SEA (Oct. 2, 2022) - Sailors refuel an MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 262 (Reinforced) on the flight deck aboard amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli (LHA 7) Oct. 2, 2022. Tripoli is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and maintain stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Members from the 77th Fighter Squadron work to rearm F-16s during AGILE FLAG 22-2 at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Florida, July 25, 2022. Participating units for AGILE FLAG 22-2 travelled from Moody AFB, Shaw AFB, Dyess AFB, Hurlburt AFB, MacDill AFB, Travis AFB, and Robbins AFB to the Air Dominance Center in Savannah, Georgia, and other regional locations for the duration of the exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Lionel Castellano)

1st Lt. Nathan Thomas, an active-duty F-16 student pilot, prepares his jet for a training mission at Morris Air National Guard Base at the Tucson International Airport.

A flight deck crewman checks the catapult connections on an A-7E Corsair II aircraft during flight operations aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS CARL VINSON (CVN-70). Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

U.S. Air Force SENIOR AIRMAN Larry Potter (Right) watches the pressure gauge refilling the oxygen tanks of a KC-10 Extender as AIRMAN First Class William Wilson looks on March 1ST, 1999. The Crew Chiefs are deployed to Moron Air Base, Spain, from the 605th (AGS) Aircraft Generation Squadron, McGuire Air Base, New Jersey. Base: Moron Air Base State: Sevilla Country: Spain (ESP)

A U.S. Marine Corps fixed-wing aircraft mechanic with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312 pulls chock from an F/A-18C Hornet aircraft during exercise Keen Sword 2023 at Japan Air Self-Defense Force Nyutabaru Air Base, Japan, Nov. 15, 2022. Keen Sword is a biennial exercise designed to enhance Japan-U.S. readiness, interoperability, and bilateral relations while demonstrating U.S. resolve to support the security interests of allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region.

110404-N-0569K-014ARABIAN SEA (April 4, 2011) A plane captain signals to the pilots of an F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to the Checkmates of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 211 that the aircraft is ready for flight operations aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65). Enterprise and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 are conducting close-air support missions in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Airmen from the Idaho Air National Guards 124th Maintenance Group replace an engine on the flight line at the Combat Readiness Training Center, Alpena, MI, June 15, 2022. Exercising the multi-capable airman concept, airmen from across the maintenance group are able to cooperatively accomplish tasks that might otherwise be reserved for specific shops.

Former EF-111 "Raven Pilot", CAPT. Clyde Beattie does a preflight inspection of his U. S. Navy EA-6B "Prowler" at Naval Air Station, Whidbey Island, Wash. As a result of the Navy, Air Force and the Secretary of Defense's decision to consolidate the airborne threat radar jamming mission, the Air Force is drawing down the EF-111 Raven and joining forces with the Navy to stand up five squadrons of EA-6B Prowlers. The subsonic Prowlers, a Vietnam vintage aircraft, with 1970's avionics, 1980's warfighting hardware, 1990's software and carrying Mach 4 speed HARM missiles, will be the United States' sole tactical radar jamming platform. Air Force flight crews administratively assigned to Cannon .... Complete Scene Caption: Former EF-111 "Raven Pilot", Capt. Clyde Beattie does a preflight inspection of his U. S. Navy EA-6B "Prowler" at Naval Air Station, Whidbey Island, Wash. As a result of the Navy, Air Force and the Secretary of Defense's decision to consolidate the airborne threat radar jam

070321-M-2166H-065. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Al Asad Air Base State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: VMAQ-1

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

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Craig Arbugast from the 86th Air Wing, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, performs an intake and exhaust inspection on a C-130 Hercules, prior to the beginning of AMC RODEO 2009, at McChord AFB, Wash., July 18. RODEO is an international combat skills and flying operations competition designed to develop and improve techniques and procedures with our international partners to enhance mobility operations

010122-F-5009P-005. Base: Macdill Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: AMC

DN-SC-90-02159. Base: Naval Air Station, Pensacola State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

040818-F-4350W-015. Complete Scene Caption: 040818-F-4350W-015 (Aug. 18, 2004)US Air Force (USAF) SENIOR AIRMAN Tim Tyler, Crewchief, 510th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (AMXS), performs an aircraft recovery on a USAF F-16C Fighting Falcon fighter, after it landed on Royal Air Force (RAF) Lakenheath, United Kingdom (GBR), to take part in the Excalibur bombing and gunnery competition. The Excalibur exercise is a bombing and gunnery competition that provides an opportunity for the United States and partner countries to learn to fly and fight together. It also promotes esprit de corps between US Air Force in Europe (USAFE) and RAF aircrews as they focus on basic surface attack missions. U.S. Air Force PHOTO by AIRMAN Christopher Walkenhorst (RELEASED) Base: RAF Lakenheath State: Suffolk Country: United Kingdom (GBR)

STAFF SGT. A.E. Wyfzynski performs a preflight check on circuit breakers in the avionics bay of a Marine Strike Fighter Squadron 321 (VMHA-321) F/A-18A Hornet aircraft. The reserve squadron is at Fallon for two weeks of active duty training at the Naval Air Warfare Center target complex. Base: Naval Air Station, Fallon State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

980616-F-2907C-023. Subject Operation/Series: RODEO'98 Base: Mcchord Air Force Base State: Washington (WA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

020425-F-0193C-013. Subject Operation/Series: NORTHERN EDGE 2002 Base: Eielson Air Force Base State: Alaska (AK) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Marines with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 773 Detachment A, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Forces Reserve, conduct maintenance on an AH-1Z Viper during exercise Gunslinger 22 at Salina, Kansas on June 20, 2022. Routine aircraft maintenance is required to ensure the aircraft is operating within optimal flight conditions.

Airmen from the 2nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron load weapons onto a B-52H Stratofortress during an exercise on Minot Air Force Base, N.D., May 7, 2015. The exercise provided training opportunities for forces to deter and, if necessary, defeat a military attack against the U.S.

Marines attached to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 112, Marine Aircraft Group 41, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, conduct pre-flight checks on an F/A-18C Hornet at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas, Sept. 15, 2022. VMFA-112 is participating in a joint long-range strike exercise with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 234, VMFA-225, Marine Fighter Training Squadron (VMFT) 401 and U.S. Air Force 513th Operations Support Squadron. This large force exercise demonstrates MAG-41's ability to project long-range strike capability and integrate with the Marine Corps' active component 5th generation aircraft in contested environments.

Right side front view medium shot as US Air Force CMSGT Gleiter, a Rodeo 2000 Umpire from Travis AFB, inspects a McGuire AFB KC-10 Extender during a pre-flight maintenance competition on May 7, 2000 during the Rodeo 2000 readiness competition at Pope AFB. During the one week competition, more than 100 teams and 2,500 personnel from over 300 Air Force, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, U.S. Army units, and foreign nations will compete in airdrops, cargo loading, refueling, pre-flight, combat endurance, combat tactics, as well as other air and ground operations (Army units, foreign nations, airdrops, cargo loading, refueling, combat endurance, combat tactics and air and ground .... Complete Scene Caption: Right side front view medium shot as US Air Force CMSGT Gleiter, a Rodeo 2000 Umpire from Travis AFB, inspects a McGuire AFB KC-10 Extender during a pre-flight maintenance competition on May 7, 2000 during the Rodeo 2000 readiness competition at Pope AFB. During the one week comp

Tech. Sgt. Patrick Hedderick and Master. Sgt. Craig May, 451st Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, reload the A-10 Thunderbolt II 30mm GAU-8/A Avenger Gatling gun here Feb. 11, 2010. This is the A-10s primary built-in weapon which can hold up to 1,350 rounds of 30 mm ammunition.

U.S. Army Spc. Joseph Myers (front) and Spc. Zackary Mott, both aviation maintenance personnel from Delta Company, 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation Regiment, Assault Helicopter Battalion, attached to the 36th Combat Aviation Brigade, work together over adjusting tail rotatory blades into a folded position on a UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter during a blade folding exercise held at Ali al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, Nov. 27, 2022. The 3-142nd AHB, attached to the 36th CAB, provides Army aviation operations and support to the Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve mission, which is to advise, assist, and enable partnered forces in the enduring defeat of ISIS.

Aircrew members from the 906th Air Refueling Squadron, Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, pull a hose from a fuels truck into position on the Alpha ramp at the base. The airmen performed crew servicing procedures under the watchful eyes of inspectors during an Operational Readiness Inspection on April 11, 2000. Subject Operation/Series: GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE ORI Base: Grand Forks Air Force Base State: North Dakota (ND) Country: United States Of America (USA)

020920-F-4649H-023. Subject Operation/Series: NORTHERN WATCH Base: Incirlik Air Base, Adana Country: Turkey (TUR) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

SSGT Jonathan Wakeley, a C-141 StarLifter crewchief from the 443rd Airlift Wing, Altus Air Force Base, Okla., taking a fuel sample from this team's aircraft during the last day of RODEO 92 competition. Subject Operation/Series: RODEO 92 Base: Pope Air Force Base State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A judge at the competition watches as members of the 5th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Weapons Load Crew team finish putting an asset on to the B-52H Stratofortress on Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, July 22, 2022. The B-52H can carry as much as70,000 poundsof mixed ordnance and can be equipped with up to 20 air-launched cruise missiles.

Lt. Col. Charles Stevens, 52nd Expeditionary Flying Training Squadron commander, performs a pre-flight inspection before a training flight with an Iraqi air force student pilot Sept. 26, 2010, at Tikrit Air Base. U.S. Air Force instructor pilots are training and adviseing the first Lt. Col. Charles Stevens, 52nd Expeditionary Flying Training Squadron commander, performs a pre-flight inspection before a training flight with an Iraqi air force student pilot Sept. 26, 2010, at Camp Speicher, Iraq U.S. Air Force instructor pilots are training and advising the first group of Iraqi air force instructor pilots on the T-6A Texan II as part of the advise, train, assist and equip mission of Operation New Dawn. Once qualified the Iraqi air force pilots will become instructor pilots and continue to train the next generation of pilots.

030904-F-1460M-006. Base: Hurlburt Field State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: AFSOC

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Firefighters in full gear douse a fire on a simulated aircraft. The firefighters, who are with Fire and Emergency Services at the Naval Station Mayport, Fla., are taking part in fire training exercises at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Pad 30.

041119-M-3668O-012. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Al Asad State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ)

040727-F-0944H-004. Base: Aviano Air Base State: Pordenone Country: Italy (ITA)

US Air Force STAFF Sergeant Al Davis, 57th Airlift Squadron, 97th Air Mobility Wing, Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, writes a message on a C-141 Starlifter aircraft. This C-141 is the first to leave Altus AFB, Oklahoma, for the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. The 57th AS is deactivating because the newer C-17 is replacing the aging C-141 fleet. Base: Davis-Monthan Air Force Base State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA)

SENIOR AIRMAN (SRA) Larry Nielsen, a KC-10 Crew CHIEF from Travis Air Force Base, California washes his aircraft on Moron Air Base, Spain in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Moron Air Base State: Sevilla Country: Spain (ESP) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

031209-F-1789V-005. Base: Lajes Field State: Azores Country: Portugal (PRT) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFFE

Logistics Specialist 3rd Class Damian Sullivan, from Moreno Valley, California, assigned to the first-in-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford's (CVN 78) supply department, checks for signs of a chemical biological radiological attack during a general quarters drill, Oct. 13, 2022. The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (GRFCSG) is deployed in the Atlantic Ocean, conducting training and operations alongside NATO Allies and partners to enhance integration for future operations and demonstrate the U.S. Navys commitment to a peaceful, stable and conflict-free Atlantic region.

US Air Force SENIOR AIRMAN Eric Hunt, a crew chief for the 22nd Expeditionary Refueling Squadron, McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, performs routine checks of the KC-135 here at Operation Northern Watch, Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. Subject Operation/Series: NORTHERN WATCH Base: Incirlik Air Base, Adana Country: Turkey (TUR)

011117-F-4406B-010. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Naval Air Station, Sigonella State: Sicily Country: Italy (ITA) Scene Major Command Shown: AMC

030905-F-2021H-021. Base: Ellsworth Air Force Base State: South Dakota (SD) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

020215-F-5422W-009. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Kelly Air Force Base State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Edward Balzer, 23rd Fighter Group deputy commander, inspects an A-10C Thunderbolt II during a Top Tiger competition at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, Oct. 14, 2022. Top Tiger is a quarterly competition that tests dedicated and assistant dedicated crew chiefs knowledge of maintenance Air Force instructions, appearance of uniform and aircraft, and condition of their aircraft maintenance logs. Judges scored the Airmen on a scale of zero to three points for each section.

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Mistical Short, 321st CRS security forces member, watches as another Airman adjusts a cargo ramp on the flight line May 20, 2022, at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey. Airmen assigned to the 321st CRS conducted training on different skill sets used in the CR to develop mission-capable Airmen.

U.S. Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, Marine Aircraft Group 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 352, MAG-11, 3rd MAW, load a GBU-32 joint direct attack munition into the cabin of a KC-130J Hercules assigned to VMGR-352, during Integrated Training Exercise 2-24 at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, Feb. 7, 2024. Marines with VMFA-122 conducted air delivered ground refueling and ordnance operations with support from VMGR-352 at the Strategic Expeditionary Landing Field, Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California. Marine Corps

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Austin Musselwhite, a fixed-wing aircraft mechanic with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232, performs preflight inspections during Cope North 24 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Feb. 20, 2024. Allies and partners train together during the multilateral exercise, Cope North 24, to improve shared tactics and multilateral defense capabilities. Musselwhite is a native of Virginia. U.S. Marine Corps

Egyptian soldiers load a truck and trailer onto a C-141B Starlifter aircraft during an engine running, on and off loading exercise. The troops are participating in a combined training exercise between Egyptian and United States Forces in joint planning and operations. The exercise is also organized to continue building military-to-military relationships which support regional security. Subject Operation/Series: IRON COBRA Base: Cairo West Air Base State: Al Qahirah Country: Egypt (EGY)

Staff Sgt. John Godwin, a Loxley, Ala., native serving as a flight equipment technician and aerial observer with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), here, makes a few final checks on the MV-22 Osprey he's going to fly on before setting off for the day's missions April 24.

030309-M-2715C-022. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Camp Workhorse Country: Kuwait (KWT)

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Stephan Robinson, a flight chief assigned to the 175th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Maryland Air National Guard, inspects an A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft after arrival at Lielvārde Air Base, located in the Vidzeme region of Latvia, May 14, 2022, for support and training while participating in DEFENDER-Europe 22. DEFENDER-Europe 22 is a series of U.S. Army Europe and Africa multinational training exercises within U.S. European Command's Large Global Scale Exercise construct taking place in Eastern Europe. DEFENDER-Europe 22 demonstrates U.S. Army Europe and Africa's ability to conduct large scale ground combat operations across multiple theatres in support of NATO and the National Defense Strategy.

011120-F-4406B-012. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Naval Air Station, Sigonella State: Sicily Country: Italy (ITA) Scene Major Command Shown: AMC

020426-F-4814D-043. Subject Operation/Series: NORTHERN WATCH 2002 Base: Incirlik Air Base, Adana Country: Turkey (TUR) Scene Major Command Shown: Combined Task Force

An Indiana Air National Guardsman, assigned to the 122nd Fighter Wing, removes the chocks from the wheel of an A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft July 14, 2022, at the Fort Wayne Air National Guard base, Fort Wayne, Indiana. Members of the 122nd FW wore mission-oriented protective posture gear while performing military duties, to test their readiness to respond to real-world threats.

Ground crew members direct a forklift operator as she transports a generator toward a Military Airlift Command C-5A Galaxy aircraft. Generators and other equipment of the 1ST Tactical Fighter Wing are being deployed to Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Desert Shield. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Base: Langley Air Force Base State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Participating in EXERCISE DESERT RESCUE IX, AIRMAN First Class Adam McNallen, a crew chief for the 75th Fighter Squadron at Pope AFB, North Carolina, watches the gauge on a fuel truck as an A-10 Warthog receives the fuel after a close air support mission. AIRMAN McNallen is originally from East Brady, Pennsylvania. Desert Rescue IX is the premiere search and rescue (SAR) training exercise involving Navy, Army, Air Force, and Marine personnel. It is conducted at the ranges of Fallon Naval Air Station, Nevada. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT RESCUE IX Base: Naval Air Station, Fallon State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: AMC

U.S. Marine Corps Avionic technicians with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461 (HMH-461), 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, conduct a panel check before flight on a CH-53K King Stallion on Marine Corps Air Station New River in Jacksonville, North Carolina June 22, 2022. HMH-461 aviation maintenance Marines go through vigorous training and testing to ensure that aircraft aboard MCAS New River are ready to fly and support all missions safely.

041111-F-9629J-114. Base: Biggs Army Air Field State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

030831-F-7924J-006. Subject Operation/Series: COOPERATIVE KEY 2003 Base: Graf Ignatievo Air Base Country: Bulgaria (BGR)

Senior Airman Jordan Webber, a KC-135 Stratotanker boom operator from MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., checks gear is where it needs to be shortly before a refueling mission at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., July 18, 2015, during exercise Red Flag 16-3. The exercise is one of four Red Flag exercises at Nellis AFB, with this iteration focusing on multi-domain operations in air, space and cyberspace.

U.S. Air Force Capt. Scott Dvorak, a KC-135 Stratotanker copilot assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan, conducts a pre-flight inspection on a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker during RED FLAG-Alaska 22-1 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, May 4, 2022. RF-A is a Pacific Air Forces-directed field training exercise allowing forces to practice interoperability by providing unique opportunities to integrate into joint and multilateral training.

A C-5 Galaxy from Dover Air Force Base, Delaware offloads equipment. Subject Operation/Series: AIR EXPEDITIONARY FORCE II Base: Azraq Country: Jordan (JOR)

A U.S. Airman assigned to the 354th Fighter Generation Squadron runs a diagnostic test on an A-10 Thunderbolt II at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, May 24, 2022. The FGS provides direct maintenance support to the 354th Fighter Squadron, following Air Combat Command's Combat Oriented Organization construct.

Airman Carmello Alaniz, 43rd Fighter Generation Squadron, prepares an AIM-9 during the units weapons load 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.)

Civilian employers of Illinois National Guard and Reserve service members attend an Employer Support of Guard and Reserve "Breakfast with the Boss" at the 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria, Illinois, May 19, 2022. The ESGR event invites employers to experience and better understand the employment and military service of members of the National Guard and Reserve.

Capt. Michelle Strickland, 555th Fighter Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot, prepares for flight during exercise Falcon Strike 2022 at Amendola Air Base, Italy, Nov. 17, 2022. Falcon Strike 22 gave multiple NATO nations an opportunity to share knowledge and operational procedures with one another.

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Christopher Zinc, 146th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, California Air National Guard, washes fire retardant off of a C-130J Hercules after a day of firefighting at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, April 26. The fire retardant is highly corrosive, so it needs to be washed off as soon as possible to prevent damage to the aircraft.

041123-F-2156C-004. Base: Lackland Air Force Base State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

011012-F-0308N-069. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH Country: Unknown Scene Major Command Shown: CENTCOM

A Soldier of the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade prepares his AH-64 Apache helicopter to be transported throughout southwest asia on Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait Oct. 8, 2022.

U.S. Air Force and Massachusetts Air National Guard Senior Airman BenDevoie, a crew chief assigned to the 131st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron,goes through pre-flight procedures on a 131st EFS F-15 Eagle fighteraircraft during a theater security package deployment on the flightline atGraf Ignatievo Air Base, Bulgaria, May 26, 2016. The deployment serves aspart of Operation Atlantic Resolve, which focuses on conducting trainingalongside NATO allies and partners to strengthen interoperability anddemonstrate U.S. commitment to a Europe that is whole, free, at peace,secure and prosperous. The 131st EFS is composed of Airmen assigned to the104th Fighter Wing, Barnes Air National Guard Base, Mass., and the 144th FW,Fresno Air National Guard Base, Calif.

030325-F-0558K-051. Base: Barksdale Air Force Base State: Louisiana (LA) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

020612-F-8425S-004. Base: Aviano Air Base State: Pordenone Country: Italy (ITA)

010515-F-1489D-005. Subject Operation/Series: TANDEM THRUST 2001 Base: Raaf Darwin State: Northern Territory Country: Australia (AUS)

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman James Mullen (left) and Master Sgt. Keith Williams (right) from the New Jersey Air National Guard's 177th Fighter Wing attach the computer control group to a GBU-12 Paveway II mounted on an F-16C Fighting Falcon on day one of the annual load crew competition on Jan. 9 at Atlantic City Air National Guard Base, N.J. Mullen and Williams are aircraft armament systems specialists assigned to the 177th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.

060716-N-5914D-007. Base: USS Boxer (LHD 4) Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

Airmen assigned to the 621st Contingency Response Wing and 305th Air Mobility Wing team up with members of the U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Strike Team to load cargo onto a C-17 Globemaster III at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., Feb. 8, 2024. The joint exercise included the loading and offloading of equipment and vehicles onto a C-17, as well as various inspections and documentation. Exercises like these are made possible by the leveraging of assets of Joint Force partners across the Department of Defenses only tri-service base. Air Force

STAFF SGT. Hector Rivera, an air cargo specialist with the 1300th Military Airlift Squadron, uses a forklift to offload cargo from a C-130 Hercules aircraft during Exercise Fuerzas Unidas. Subject Operation/Series: FUERZAS UNIDAS Base: Salinas Country: Ecuador (ECU)

DF-ST-87-12725. Subject Operation/Series: COPE THUNDER '86-3 Base: Clark Air Base State: Luzon Country: Philippines (PHL)

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Kevin Pagán, a CH-47 Chinook crew chief, fuels the aircraft as part of a cultural-exchange flight held at Tampere, Finland, Aug. 4, 2022. For the next few weeks, U.S. Soldiers and Finnish troops will be conducting multiple training exercises to strengthen relations and help build interoperability between the two nations.

SGT. K. G. Blucher directs the driver of a tow vehicle as support equipment is unloaded from a U.S. Air Force KC-130 Hercules tanker. U.S. forces are bringing in personnel, materiel and equipment to support Operation United Shield, which is the withdrawal of United Nations peacekeepers from Mogadishu, Somalia. Subject Operation/Series: UNITED SHIELD Base: Mombasa International Airport Country: Kenya (KEN)

A close-up view of AIM-9L Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, under wing, and an AIM-7F Sparrow air-to-air missile attached to an F-15 Eagle alert aircraft parked on the flight line. Base: Osan Air Base Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

041004-F-6440B-003. Country: Southwest Asia

A U.S. Air Force loadmaster with the 353rd Special Operations Wing guides a U.S. Army High Mobility Artillery Rocket System assigned to 17th Field Artillery Brigade into an MC-130J Commando II during Balikatan 22 at Subic Bay Airport, Subic Bay, Philippines, March 30, 2022. Balikatan is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences. Balikatan, Tagalog for shoulder-to-shoulder, is a long-standing bilateral exercise between the Philippines and the United States highlighting the deep-rooted partnership between both countries. Balikatan 22 is the 37th iteration of the exercise and coincides with the 75th anniversary of the U.S.-Philippine security cooperation.

of 4