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Aircraft Operations on Aircraft Carriers

Dynamic images of fighter jets and military personnel on aircraft carriers, capturing exciting moments of takeoff and landing operations.

DN-ST-89-06968. Country: Unknown

Refueling takes place for eight A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft on a turn-around flight during exercise BOLD EAGLE '82. Subject Operation/Series: BOLD EAGLE '82 Base: Hurlburt Field State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A student pilot and an instructor perform a preflight check on a TA-4J Skyhawk aircraft of Training Squadron 21 (VT-21) before a weapons training flight. Base: Naval Air Facility, El Centro State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A Fighter Squadron 213 (VF-213) F-14A Tomcat aircraft stands ready for launch from the No. 3 catapult on the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN-72). Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

A right side view of a Navy A-4 Skyhawk aircraft banking to the left during Exercise Sandgroper '82. Subject Operation/Series: SANDGROPER '82 Country: Indian Ocean (IOC)

Members of the 432nd Aircraft Generation Squadron load Mark 82 500-pound general-purpose bombs onto F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft during Exercise Cope Thunder '86-3. During the exercise more than 60 aircraft from the U.S. and the Far East will be pitted against each other in daily combat scenarios, dogfights and bomb runs. Subject Operation/Series: COPE THUNDER '86-3 Base: Clark Air Base State: Luzon Country: Philippines (PHL)

An A-7E Corsair aircraft from Attack Squadron 72 (VA-72) banks away from its wing man to begin a practice bombing run. The aircraft are based aboard the aircraft carrier USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67). Country: Unknown

A gas turbine systems technician E (electrical) approaches a partially disassembled A-6E Intruder aircraft being worked on in the hangar bay of the aircraft carrier USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67) during FLEET EX 1-90. Subject Operation/Series: FLEET EX 1-90 Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

Members of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit rappel from a Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 261 (HMM-261) CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter to the deck of the amphibious transport dock USS AUSTIN (LPD-4) during a simulated tactical recovery of aircraft personnel (TRAP) mission. Country: Adriatic Sea

A H-60 Black Hawk (Blackhawk) helicopter being loaded onto and Air Force Reserve's C-5 Galaxy transport. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Country: Unknown

DN-ST-89-03519. Country: Unknown

An airman is preparing a loader for loading ammunitions in an A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft (background). The aircraft is assigned to the 18th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 343rd Composite Wing, involved in a training mission. Base: Eielson Air Force Base State: Alaska (AK) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Aviation Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class William Sclafani, installs a track clot seal into catapult number one aboard the aircraft carrier USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) during a scheduled deployment Support of Operation Southern Watch. Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen directed the NIMITZ battle group to the Gulf earlier than scheduled after Iraqi planes breached a U.N. sanctioned no-fly zone several times. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH Base: USS Nimitz (CVN 68)

DF-ST-87-08906. State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

B-1B Lancers of the 9th Bomb Squadron, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, stand ready for launch in 12 hours for a non-stop around the world sortie that will include five in-flight refuelings and three "no-drop" bombing exercises. When completed this will establish the first (unofficial) world record in this weight category. Subject Operation/Series: CORONET BAT Base: Dyess Air Force Base State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A final preflight check is performed on the wheel assembly of a TA-7 Corsair II aircraft. Base: Naval Air Station, Moffett Field State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A-7E Corsair aircraft from Attack Squadron 72 (VA-72), foreground, and Attack Squadron 46 (VA-46) conduct aerial refueling with an Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft. An Attack Squadron 75 (VA-75) KA-6D Intruder aircraft is at upper right. The Navy aircraft are deployed aboard the aircraft carrier USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67), which is on station in the Red Sea in support of Operation Desert Shield. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Saudi Arabia (SAU)

Photograph of Airmen Climbing into the Cockpit. Lt. Bruce Erickson (left), Naval Flight Officer NFO, and Lt. Scott Shuman, Pilot, climb into the cockpit of their fighter squadron 74 (VF-74), F-4J Phantom II fighter aircraft.Naval Air Station, Norfolk, Virginia.

DN-SC-87-05500. Country: Unknown

DF-ST-89-00771. Subject Operation/Series: SHADOW HAWK Base: Azarq Air Base Country: Jordan (JOR)

970620-N-9354D-005. Subject Operation/Series: KERNEL BLITZ Base: Uss Peleliu (LHA 5) Scene Major Command Shown: VMA-214

DF-ST-87-13413. Subject Operation/Series: TEAM SPIRIT '85 Base: Osan Air Base Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

A plane director guides an F-4 Phantom II aircraft from the 8th Tactical Fighter Squadron to a parking spot. The F-4 has just arrived at the base to participate in exercise Crested Cap '77. Subject Operation/Series: CRESTED CAP '77 Base: Ramstein Air Base State: Rheinland-Pfalz Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)

DN-SC-85-08812. Country: Unknown

US Navy F9F Blue Angel flies over deck following touch and go off carrier flight deck

DN-ST-89-07453. Base: USS Independence (CV 62) Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

Maintenance crewmen from the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing make a pre-flight check, before the shakedown flight of an F-4 Phantom II aircraft that was recently transferred from another unit. Base: Kunsan Air Base Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

DN-ST-86-03977. Base: USS Coral Sea (CV 43) Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

DF-ST-87-12665. Subject Operation/Series: BLUE HORIZON '86 Base: Taura Air Base Country: Ecuador (ECU)

The pilot and co-pilot of an RF-4E Phantom II aircraft, both members of the Japanese Air Self Defense Force, depart from the aircraft following a flight during exercise Cope North 89-1. Base: Naval Air Facility, Misawa State: Aomori Country: Japan (JPN)

A ground crewman charges the canopy lift mechanism of an F-14 Tomcat aircraft with nitrogen gas during Exercise Gallant Eagle '82. Subject Operation/Series: GALLANT EAGLE '82 Base: Naval Air Station, Miramar State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A right front view of an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft displayed on the runway. Base: Kunsan Air Base Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

A Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 136 (VAQ-136) EA-6B Prowler aircraft flies past the aircraft carrier USS MIDWAY (CV-41). Country: Unknown

DF-ST-89-00773. Base: Azarq Air Base Country: Jordan (JOR)

Elevated left side view of an F/A-18 Hornet aircraft assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314 (VMFA-314) on the deck of the aircraft carrier USS CONSTELLATION (CV-64) during an operational evaluation (OPEVAL). Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

Kites Steps from Northrop NF-5B of 313 Squadron, Twenthe airbase.

DN-ST-87-10497. Base: USS Dwight D Eisenhower (CVN 69) Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

A view of an Iraqi Su-22 aircraft in a hangar damaged by Coalition air strikes during Operation Desert Storm.. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Base: Tallil Air Base State: Dhi Qar Country: Iraq(IRQ)

Low Angle Front View of a U.S. Air Force F-100 Nicknamed "Sizzlin Susie". Low Angle Front View of a U.S. Air Force F-100 Nicknamed "Sizzlin Susie". "Phan Rang AB, South VietnamLow angle front view of a U.S. Air Force F-100 of the 35th Tactical Fighting Wing being armed by 435th Munitions Maintenance Squadron personnel. The aircraft is nicknamed "Sizzlin Susie." Photographer: Staff

DF-ST-85-03762. Subject Operation/Series: BRIGHT STAR '83 Country: Egypt (EGY)

A rear view of an Attack Squadron 46 (VA-46) A-7E Corsair II aircraft following launch from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV 67) during FLEET EX 1-90. Subject Operation/Series: FLEET EX 1-90 Base: USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

A Marine Fighter-Attack Squadron 121 (VMFA(AW)-121) F/A-18D Hornet aircraft is de-iced on the flight line prior to a preflight check. Base: Naval Air Facility, Andrews Afb State: Maryland (MD) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DN-ST-89-02568. Base: George Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-ST-87-09664. Subject Operation/Series: TEAM SPIRIT Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

An air-to-air right side view of a Medium Attack Squadron 95 (VA-95) A-6E Intruder aircraft, assigned to the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65), escorting a Soviet Tu-16 Badger aircraft. Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

A left front view of a Belgian Mirage aircraft parked on the flight line during TACTICAL AIR MEET '78. Subject Operation/Series: TACTICAL AIR MEET '78 Base: Raf Wildenrath Country: Federal Republic Of Germany (FRG)

AN air-to-air right side view of an F-15 Eagle aircraft firing an AIM-7 Sparrow missile. State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DN-SC-87-06120. Base: USS Dwight D Eisenhower (CVN 69) Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

DF-ST-88-01544. Base: USS Constellation (CV 64)

DF-SN-86-12130. Base: Patrick Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DN-ST-88-01792. Base: Pensacola State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

F-4E Phantom II aircraft pilots board their aircraft during exercise Cope North '80. The pilots are assigned to the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing. Subject Operation/Series: COPE NORTH '80 Base: Naval Air Facility, Misawa State: Aomori Country: Japan (JPN)

An overhead view of aircraft and crewmen on the forward flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS AMERICA (CV-66) as the ship head south through the Suez Canal. The AMERICA is the first U.S. Navy carrier since 1967 and the largest ever to travel this route. Base: Sinai Country: Egypt (EGY)

Maintenance crewmen work on a Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 1 (HC-1) SH-3G Sea King helicopter aboard the amphibious command ship USS BLUE RIDGE (LCC-19) during Operation Desert Storm. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Unknown

DF-ST-89-00749. Subject Operation/Series: SHADOW HAWK Base: Azarq Air Base Country: Jordan (JOR)

Soviet and American maintenance pesonnel refuel a Soviet MiG-29 aircraft that stopped at Elmendorf en route to an air show in British Columbia. Base: Elmendorf Air Force Base State: Alaska (AK) Country: United States Of America (USA)

The USAF Thunderbird's ground crew prepare their F-16C Fighting Falcons and pilots for flight, during the Joint Services Open House 2000. Base: Andrews Air Force Base State: Maryland (MD) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Landing signal officers aboard the aircraft carrier USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67) watch as a Fighter Squadron (VF-14) F-14A Tomcat aircraft makes an arrested landing during FLEET EX 1-90. Subject Operation/Series: FLEET EX 1-90 Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

DN-ST-85-05581. Base: Naval Amphib Base, Little Creek State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Right side view of a T-33 Shooting Star aircraft as ground crewmen clear the pilot for takeoff during Exercise Brim Frost '83. Subject Operation/Series: Brim Frost '83 Base: Elmendorf Air Force Base State: Alaska (AK) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Two F/A-18C Hornet aircraft of Strike Fighter Squadron 97 (VFA-97), assigned to Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif. are shown dropping Mark 82 500-pound Snakeye bombs on the target range at Naval Air Station Fallon. Base: Naval Air Station, Fallon State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Operation Ski Jump was the test taking off of a Marine Corps YAV-8B Harrier aircraft, from a specially built ramp was constructed by the Bridge Co., 8th Engineer Support Bn., 2nd Mar. Div., Fleet Marine Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C. Subject Operation/Series: SKI JUMP Base: Naval Air Station Patuxent River State: Maryland (MD) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A pilot (right) and a color guard member stand in front of an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft will operate with U.S. Air Forces in Europe, during a ceremony that also introduces the Fighting Falcon to four other North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member countries. Base: Hahn Air Base Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)

DF-SC-89-11333. Base: Unknown

DF-ST-85-07797. Country: Unknown

Spectators view two A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft on display during exercise Commando Vulcan. The A-10's will be assigned to the 25th Tactical Fighter Squadron (25th Tactical Fighter Squadron (25th TFS), Suwon Air Base, South Korea. Subject Operation/Series: COMMANDO VULCAN Base: Osan Air Base Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

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