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Aircraft Maintenance and Operations

Photos of military personnel engaged in aircraft maintenance and preparations, illustrating the technical side of aviation in the military.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Schuyler Williams, an aerial gunner with the 4th Special Operations Squadron, participates in a training sortie on an AC-130J Ghostrider, April 14, 2022 at Hurlburt Field, Florida. The 4 SOS regularly performs training sorties on the AC-130J in order to ensure readiness to perform special operations missions any time, any place.

The guided missile cruiser USS NORMANDY (CG-60) Boarding Team member ENSIGN Britmajor, looks around the corner of the bridge on the Bulgarian cargo ship while another member of the boarding team is the first to reach the door leading into the bridge. Once on the bridge, boarding team members will review ship documents to verify that no unauthorized cargo is onboard.(Exact date unknown). Subject Operation/Series: SHARP GUARD Country: Adriatic Sea

Senior Airman Jennifer Alvarenga, a munitions control specialist assigned to the 380th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron, opens a storage container of an AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-ground missile, September 22, 2022, at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates. Munitions Airmen handle, store and transport weapons and locally dispose of nonhazardous, unserviceable munitions.

DN-ST-88-09172. Base: Hampton Roads State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A U.S. Navy landing craft, air cushion with Assault Craft Unit 5 approaches a beach to drop off aviation command and control and aviation ground support equipment for Marine Aircraft Control Group (MACG) 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing during exercise Steel Knight 23 on San Clemente Island, California, Dec. 6, 2022. MACG-38 provides all domain command and control and aviation ground support to enable the six functions of Marine Aviation. Exercise Steel Knight 23 provides 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing an opportunity to refine Wing-level warfighting in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force and fleet maneuver.

DN-ST-86-06097. Base: USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67)

220511-N-PV401-1039 SAN DIEGO (May 11, 2022). Aviation Boatswains Mate (Fuels) 3rd Class Jeffrey Mackey, a native of Excelsior Springs, Mo., participates in hose-team drills on the fantail of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), May 11. Vinson is currently pierside in its homeport of San Diego.

Soldiers from with 120th Medical Company (Area Support), 120th Engineer Battalion, 90th Troop Command participated in 10 hour shifts with EMSA in Tulsa, Oklahoma, June 08, 2022. The 120th MCAS is partnering with local medical clinics and emergency services as part of an Innovative Readiness Training program. (Oklahoma National Guard Photo by Pfc. Haden Tolbert)

220804-N-XB010-1003 PHILLIPINE SEA (Aug. 4, 2022) - Lance Corporal Matthew LeBlanc, from Fredericksburg, Virg., left, and Cpl. Conner Sparks, from Kirtland, N.M., both attached to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), perform maintenance on a UY-1Z Cobra helicopter in the forward-deployed amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) hangar bay. New Orleans, part of the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group, along with the 31st MEU, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

DN-SC-86-03174. Base: Naval Air Station, Alameda State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

040602-F-0000M-006. Base: Lajes Field State: Azores Country: Portugal (PRT)

120828-N-YR571-146 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Aug. 28, 2012) Aviation boatswains mates keep a line tight during small boat operations aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1). Wasp is underway conducting scheduled operations off the Atlantic coast.

A821197 SAFEGUARD AREA 11 EXERCISE MARK SOOHOO (PROJECT ENGINEER) JUL 30 82 EG&G/NTS PHOTO LAB Publication Date: 7/30/1982 AREA 11; AREA 11 EXERCISE; BUILDING TYPES; COMPOUNDS; EDGERTON, GERMESHAUSEN & GRIER; EG&G; MALE; MALES; MEN; MEN (ADD MALE MODIFIER); NEVADA; NEVADA TEST SITE; NTS; NUCLEAR ENERGY TECHNOLOGY; NUCLEAR TESTING; NUCLEAR TESTS; SAFEGUARDS; TEST SITES; UGT; UNDERGROUND TESTING; SAFEGUARD-AREA 11 EXERCISE historical images. 1972 - 2012. Department of Energy. National Nuclear Security Administration. Photographs Related to Nuclear Weapons Testing at the Nevada Test Site.

Crew members haul on a line on the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS CARL VINSON (CVN-70) during an underway replenishment operation with the replenishment oiler USS ROANOKE (AOR-7). Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

DF-ST-89-07165. Country: Unknown

Power production specialists with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 249th Engineer Battalion Delta Company, gathers air handling unit information in a building at Carlisle Barracks in Carlisle, Pa. on May 2, 2022. Soldiers are gathering electrical load data from multiple buildings on post as part of a critical infrastructure analysis for FEMA to see what it would take to power up various pieces of infrastructure during an emergency response situation. (U.S. Army photo/Patrick Bloodgood)

Aviation ordnancemen converse on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67) prior to fitting aircraft for strikes on Iraqi targets at the onset of Operation Desert Storm. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Red Sea

DN-ST-88-00954. Country: Caribbean Sea

The war crimes museum, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

DN-SC-88-03725. Base: Naval Base, Norfolk State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

CAMP BLANDING, Fla. -U.S. sailors from Riverine Squadron 3, coast into the shore to extract a squad of U.S. Marines as part of a scenario while conducting riverine training during UNITAS-Partnership of the Americas 2012 Sept. 8. UNITAS-Partnership of the Americas gives the participating troops from Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, the United States and Uruguay an opportunity to exercise critical thinking based on realistic scenarios, reinforce essentialtactics and techniques and build on a strong foundation of professional cooperation.

120716-N-JW581-244PACIFIC OCEAN (July 16, 2012) Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class Krystal Sams assists Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class Joseph Leblanc in directing Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) 24, assigned to Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 5, into the welldeck of the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2012. Twenty-two nations, more than 40 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in the biennial RIMPAC exercise from June 29 to Aug. 3, in and around the Hawaiian Islands. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2012 is the 23rd exercise in the series that began in 1971.

220625-N-TC847-1428 ATLANTIC OCEAN (June 25, 2022) Sailors assigned to the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), participate in the final phase of surface reaction force bravo (SFR-B) training, June 25, 2022. The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is underway completing a certification exercise to increase U.S. and allied interoperability and warfighting capability before a future deployment. The George H.W. Bush CSG is an integrated combat weapons system that delivers superior combat capability to deter, and if necessary, defeat Americas adversaries in support of national security.

Two Special Forces personnel draw their guns on a distant planet.

A duty officer looks out from the bridge of the aircraft carrier USS AMERICA (CV 66) to check visibility, as the ship encounters rough weather conditions. Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

Germany, Bavaria, Landshut, Helicopter pilot refuelling aircraft

U.S. Air Force Airmen, assigned to the Ohio National Guards 180th Fighter Wing, transports a pallet of cargo during a large-scale readiness inspection, Aug. 8, 2022, at the base in Swanton, Ohio. The Airmen are part of the Arrival and Departure Airfield Control Group, whose primary function is to properly weigh, preform center of balance calculations, and ensure hazardous cargo is safe for flight. The exercise was a full-scale assessment of the rapid generation and movement of personnel and equipment, utilizing a 24-hour operation concept. The wing was evaluated on its ability to pack, prepare and deploy mission-ready personnel, aircraft and support equipment, while operating in a contested and degraded environment.

110113-N-9806M-005 NORFOLK (Jan. 13, 2011) Sailors board the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) as the ship prepares to depart from Naval Station Norfolk. Enterprise is deploying as part of the Commander, Carrier Strike Group (CCSG) 12 in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.

220912-N-GF955-1902BALTIC SEA (Sept. 12, 2022) U.S. Navy Hull Maintenance Technician 3rd Class Matthew Psota, from Boyertown, Pennsylvania, welds aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117), Sept. 12, 2022. Paul Ignatius is part of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, under the command and control of Task Force 61/2, 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.

220501-N-LZ839-3099ATLANTIC OCEAN (May 1, 2022) - Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matthew Brown, assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), shoots a target during a live fire exercise, May 1, 2022. Bataan is underway in the 2nd fleet area of operations. Bataan is homeported at Naval Station Norfolk.

ATLANTIC OCEAN (Sept. 4, 2017) An F-35C Lightning II assigned to the Grim Reapers of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 101 lands on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Abraham Lincoln is underway conducting training after successful completion of carrier incremental availability.

The aqueous film forming foam firefighting system is tested on the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN-72). Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

F-35A Lightning IIs assigned to the 134th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, Vermont Air National Guard, prepare for take off for shield and assurance missions over Europe from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, June 21, 2022. Aircraft and Airmen from Vermont's 158th Fighter Wing deployed to Germany for more than three months as part of ongoing NATO efforts in Europe.

The flight helmets of some of the pilots participating in exercise COPE THUNDER 89-5 are kept in a Life Support Section storage space during the exercise. Subject Operation/Series: COPE THUNDER 89-5 Base: Clark Air Base State: Luzon Country: Philippines (PHL)

U.S. Air Force engineers assigned to the 8th Civil Engineer Squadron (CES) empty a cement mixture during rapid airfield damage repair (RADR) training at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Feb. 7, 2023. In the event of an attack, the 8th CES Dirt Boys are trained to quickly return the airfield to full mission capability.

060717-N-6403R-077. Country: Red Sea

010815-F-0007M-003. Base: Mcguire Air Force Base State: New Jersey (NJ) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: Air Mobility Command

A sailor polishes the ship's bell aboard the destroyer USS CUSHING (DD-985) during exercise Unitas XXXIII. Unitas is a five-month-long joint exercise conducted by the U.S. Navy and the navies of various South American countries. Subject Operation/Series: UNITAS XXXIII Country: Unknown

A view of the Veteran's Day crowd gathered at the Newport News Ship Building and Dry Dock Corporation to watch the christening of the Nimitz class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN-74). Over 16,000 shipyard workers and guest gathered for the ceremony christening the Navy's newest aircraft carrier. Base: Newport News State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-ST-87-13365. Subject Operation/Series: TEAM SPIRIT '85 Base: Kimhae Air Base Country: Korea

United States Air Force personnel, 510th Fighter Squadron check mobility gear for those deploying to Kuwait on 3 July 2000, Aviano Air Base, Italy. This is Avianos first Expeditionary Air Force deployment. Base: Aviano Air Base State: Pordenone Country: Italy (ITA)

U.S. Navy Sailors assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Frank E. Petersen, Jr. (DDG 121) man the rails during the ships homecoming ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, June 13, 2022. The USS Frank E. Petersen, Jr. is named after retired U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Frank E. Petersen, Jr., who was the first Black U.S. Marine Corps aviator and the first Black Marine to become a three-star general. Petersen served two combat tours: in Korea in 1953 and in Vietnam in 1968. He flew more than 350 combat missions and had more than 4,000 hours in various fighter and attack aircraft.

U.S. Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Blassi Shoogukwruk, an aircraft de-icing supervisor with the 176th Maintenance Operations Flight, operates the basket of a GL-1800 deicing truck at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Feb. 13, 2024. During the harsh Alaska winter months the mission of the 3rd Maintenance Squadrons deicing section is to safely put aircraft in the sky. Air Force

060509-N-3714J-046. Base: Usns Mercy (T-AH 19)

DF-ST-89-07682. Base: Dover Air Force Base State: Delaware (DE) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-ST-89-09123. Base: Raf Alconbury Country: England / Great Britain (ENG)

THE MINCH (Oct. 5, 2022) Left, Cryptologic Technician (Technical) Seaman Rachel Szot observes Cryptologic Technician (Collection) 1st Class Joshua Gray take photos as part of the ships nautical or otherwise photographic interpretation and examination (SNOOPIE) team on the bridgewing of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) during an air-defense exercise (ADEX) as part of Joint Warrior 22-2, Oct. 5, 2022. Exercise Joint Warrior 22-2 is a U.K.-hosted, multilateral training exercise designed to provide NATO and allied forces with a unique multi-warfare environment to prepare for global operations. Roosevelt 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.

U.S. Marines with II Marine Expeditionary Force participate in a snowmobile course in preparation for the NATO exercise Nordic Response 24 at Setermoen, Norway, Feb. 19, 2024. Nordic Response is a Norwegian national readiness and defense exercise designed to enhance military capabilities and allied cooperation in high-intensity warfighting in a challenging arctic environment. This exercise will test military activities ranging from the reception of allied and partner reinforcements and command and control interoperability to combined joint operations, maritime prepositioning force logistics, integration with NATO militaries, and reacting against an adversary force during a dynamic training environment. Marine Corps

220716-N-XN177-1116 PACIFIC OCEAN (July 16, 2022) - Aviation Boatswains Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Nicholas Fareri, from North Brunswick, New Jersey, observes flight operations aboard amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli (LHA 7), July 16, 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.

Capt. Thomas Bosco, a Florida State fire marshal, (middle) and other team members size up the blast scene and try to determine where the vehicle's identification number may be located Sept. 28 on the Eglin Air Force Base range. The investigation was part of the FBI's large vehicle post blast school attended by state and local law enforcement agencies as well as Navy and Air Force explosive ordnance disposal technicians. Three vehicles were blown up to create the crime scenes that students would investigate. The week-long course was the second held on Eglin with 67 students representing 18 different U.S. agencies.

SAN FRANCISCO BAY (Nov. 2, 2022) - A harbor pilot boards the Emory S. Land-class submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40) as the ship transits to Vallejo, Calif., assigned to the Emory S. Land-class submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40), Nov. 2, 2022. Frank Cable, forward deployed to the island of Guam, repairs, rearms, and re-provisions submarines and surface vessels in the Indo-Pacific region.

A guidon assigned to the Gambler Company, 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, waves in front of a containerized kitchen during a cooking competition at Drawsko Pomorskie, Poland, Aug. 4, 2022. The 3/4 ABCT is among other units assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, proudly working alongside NATO allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces to V Corps, Americas forward-deployed corps in Europe.

Personnel with the 15th Medical Group provide medical care for an infected patient with an En Route Patient Staging System during an aircraft swap at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Sept. 21, 2022. The patient, housed in a Negative Pressure Conex-Lite, was cared for by 15th MDG personnel while waiting for the NPCL to be placed on a Hickam C-17 Globemaster III.

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to 2nd Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division/ROK-US Combined Division participate in a guided tour highlighting the Cheonan Sinking of a Republic of Korea naval vessel in South Korea, Aug. 9, 2022. In 2010, North Korea sank a South Korean warship, the Cheonan, killing more than forty sailors.

110227-N-5838W-002GULF OF ADEN (Feb. 27, 2011) Sailors assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Mason (DDG 87) attach a re-fueling hose during an underway replenishment with the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Patuxent (T-AO 201). Mason is deployed as part of the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

YOKOSUKA, Japan (Dec. 02, 2016) Sailors retire the national ensign during evening colors on the flight deck of the U.S. Navys only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), after completing a scheduled three-month patrol in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. During the patrol, Ronald Reagan participated in exercises Valiant Shield, Invincible Spirit and Keen Sword, designed to enhance joint military operations with partner nations throughout the region. The crew also completed its Unit Level Training Assessment-Sustainment and Maintenance and Material Management Assessment. Ronald Reagan, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5, provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interests of its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. Ronald Reagan, the Carrier Strike Group Five (CSG 5) flagship, is on patrol supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

Anefo photo collection. Series Portugal, election struggle / street images Lisbon (early 1975); Gateway MFA (Movimento Forcas Armada) Kazerne. 1975. Lisbon, Portugal

Airmen assigned to the 8th Maintenance Squadron aircraft structural maintenance shop work together to apply stencils for the tail flash of the 8th Operations Groups F-16 Fighting Falcon at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Jan. 22, 2022. Tail flashes are exemplary of the unit pride and heritage across the Air Force, and help the maintainers, who repair these aircraft, as well as the pilots who fly them, connect with the Airmen and missions of the past. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gabrielle Spalding)

Aviation Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class Herman Miranda monitors the control panel for a Mark 7 jet blast deflector which is being tested on the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN-72). Country: Caribbean Sea

An officer discusses the Pioneer Remotely Piloted Vehicle (RPV) with Vice Admiral James D. Williams, Commander, US 6th Fleet, left, and another flag officer, center, aboard the battleship USS IOWA (BB 61), as Captain Fred P. Moosally, Commanding Officer of the IOWA, stands by. Base: Gaeta Country: Italy (ITA)

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Mauro Ordinario, 23rd Maintenance Group superintendent, plays the National Anthem during the 75th Air Force Ball at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, Sept. 17, 2022. The ball brought Team Moody and their families together to celebrate 75 years of airpower. The Air Force was established through the National Security Act on Sept. 18, 1947.

A close-up view of a portion of the bow of the hospital ship USNS COMFORT (T-AH-20). The COMFORT is preparing to depart for the Persian Gulf region, where it will remain on station in support of Operation Desert Shield. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Base: Naval Air Station, Norfolk State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Two US Marine Corps (USMC) Military Policemen (MP) fold the colors as a car passes by, at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD), San Diego, California. (Substandard image). Base: USMC Recruit Depot, San Diego State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A local resident stands atop a railcar at the Kizghiz Railyard, surrounded by containers carrying medical supplies and equipment destined for area hospitals. Two hundred and thirty-eight containers have arrived by rail as part of Operation Provide Hope III relief efforts. Delivery and distribution of the supplies is being coordinated by the U.S. Army's 7th Medical Command. Subject Operation/Series: PROVIDE HOPE III Base: Bishkek Country: Kyrgyzstan (KGZ)

USS Clamagore

Sailors at the commissioning of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72) board the carrier via brows. Base: Naval Air Station, Norfolk State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

030815-M-7837W-030. Base: Ali Al Salem Air Base Country: Kuwait (KWT)

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