Aircraft Silhouettes and Operations

Silhouetted images of military aircraft during preparations and operations at sunset and sunrise. The atmosphere reflects a mix of readiness and the vastness of military aviation.

A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor pilot from the 90th Fighter Squadron, confers with 90th Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chiefs, before deploying from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, July 26, 2022. The F-22 Raptor is a critical component of the Global Strike Task Force and is designed to project air dominance rapidly at great distances to defeat emerging threats. The 90th FS will support the NATO Air Shielding mission in the European theater.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central) commander, climbs into a F-16CM Fighting Falcon to prepare for departure during Operation Agile Spartan III at an undisclosed location, September 7, 2022. Grynkewich flew an F-16CM Fighting Falcon alongside coalition partners in support of Operation Inherent Resolve as part of Operation Agile Spartan III. OAS III tested rapid troop and equipment movement to and from dispersed locations around the region.

DN-ST-89-06480. Subject Operation/Series: GALLANT EAGLE 88 Base: Unknown

A Fighter Squadron 84 (VF-84) F-14A Tomcat aircraft lands on the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN-71) during Operation Deny Flight. Subject Operation/Series: DENY FLIGHT Country: Adriatic Sea

An F-14A Tomcat aircraft is silhouetted by the sun as it stands on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier bound for the Middle East in support of Operation Desert Shield. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Unknown

DN-ST-89-06488. Subject Operation/Series: GALLANT EAGLE 88 Base: Unknown

A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor pilot from the 90th Fighter Squadron, confers with 90th Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chiefs, before deploying from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, July 26, 2022. The F-22 Raptor is a critical component of the Global Strike Task Force and is designed to project air dominance rapidly at great distances to defeat emerging threats. The 90th FS will support the NATO Air Shielding mission in the European theater.

120222-N-DR144-312ARABIAN GULF (Feb. 22, 2012) Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Jason Querido, assigned to the Air Department aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), waits to direct aircraft onto the waist catapults for launch. Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon, assigned to the Ohio National Guards 180th Fighter Wing, takes off for a nighttime training flight in Swanton, Ohio, Aug. 22, 2022. The 180FW conducts training, rain or snow, day and night to enhance mission readiness to ensuring combat power can be delivered to combatant commanders, anytime, anywhere.

030324-F-0365G-009. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Country: Unknown

030321-F-9528H-013. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Country: Unknown

An F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 36th Fighter Squadron taxis to the runway during a base-wide training event at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Aug. 15, 2022. The training event assessed Osans ability to defend, sustain and execute contingency operations.

An F-15C Eagle aircraft of the 1ST Tactical Fighter Wing is silhouetted against the early morning sun during Exercise Gallant Eagle '86. Subject Operation/Series: GALLANT EAGLE '86 Base: Davis-Monthan Air Force Base State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Airmen prepare an F-15E Strike Eagle assigned to the 391st Fighter Squadron, Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, for takeoff during Checkered Flag 23-1 at Tyndall AFB, Florida, Nov. 4, 2022. Checkered Flag is a large-force aerial exercise held at Tyndall which fosters readiness and interoperability through the incorporation of 4th-and 5th-generation aircraft during air-to-air combat training. The 23-1 iteration of the exercise was held Oct. 31- Nov. 10, 2022.

A Strike-Fighter Squadron 81 (VFA-81) F/A-18C Hornet aircraft is silhouetted by the sun as it is parked on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS SARATOGA (CV-60) during Operation Desert Storm. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Red Sea

A left front view of two F-15 Eagle aircraft at night, as a post-flight inspection takes place during Reforger-Crested Cap II. Subject Operation/Series: REFORGERCRESTED CAP II Base: Bremgarten Air Base Country: West Germany (FRG)

PACIFIC OCEAN (April 4, 2023) - U.S. Sailors prepare to launch an F/A-18E Super Hornet, assigned to the Vigilantes of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 151, from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), April 4, 2023. Theodore Roosevelt is conducting a flight deck certification with the Black Aces of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41, the Tophatters of VFA-14, the Rough Raiders of VFA-125, the Vigilantes of VFA-151, and the Eightballers of Helicopter Sea Combat (HSC) 8 ahead of an upcoming deployment workup cycle. The ship recently completed an 18-month maintenance availability, receiving extensive restorations and upgrades.

A vehicle is driven into the cargo hold of a C-130 Hercules aircraft during night loading by the 2nd Mobile Aerial Port Squadron. The aircraft is being prepared for a mission during the 314th Tactical Airlift Wing's operational readiness exercise Purple Penny. Subject Operation/Series: PURPLE PENNY Base: Travis Field, Savannah State: Georgia (GA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Air Force F-15 Eagle

A-10 Thunderbolt II 'Warthog' at Dusk

DF-ST-86-09480. Country: Unknown

Maintainers from the 81st Fighter Squadron pull out firing pins and chalks to ready an A-10 Thunderbolt II for takeoff before a night combat search and rescue training mission July 20, 2012. The maintainers took part in Dacian Thunder, a month-long partnership building exercise that included U.S. Air Force, Romanian air force, U.S. Marine Corps and the Royal Air Force participants. (Air force

A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor assigned to the 90th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron taxis to park after a training flight, Sept. 7, 2022 at Łask Air Base, Poland. The 90th EFS forward deployed to support NATOs Air Shielding mission.

The sun rises on an F/A-18 Hornet on the USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) after returning from a round of flight operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The Hornet is armed with an AIM-9 Sidewinder (right), AIM-7 Sparrow (right, lower) and a Laser Guided Mk-82 Bomb.

F-16 with Crew Chief in Cockpit

B-1B Lancer pilots assigned to the 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, wait to be taxied to a parking spot after returning to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam after landing from a mission that participated in a joint maritime strike rehearsal to demonstrate service components fires and effects capabilities in the maritime environment on June 14, 2022, during exercise Valiant Shield 22. Exercises such as Valiant Shield allows the Indo-Pacific Command Joint Task Force the opportunity to integrate forces from all branches of service to conduct long-range, precise, lethal and overwhelming multi-axis, multi domain effects that demonstrate the strength and versatility of the Joint Task Force and our commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

114th Fighter Wing F-16s fighting falcons are parked on the flight line prior to the night flying operations at Joe Foss Field, South Dakota, October 26, 2022. Night flying operations are done to maintain the readiness of our pilots and maintainers.

DN-ST-88-00216. Base: USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71)

MEDITERRANEAN SEA (July 20, 2017) Sailors perform post-flight checks on an F/A-18E Super Hornet attached to the "Tomcatters" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 31 on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). The ship and its carrier strike group are conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe and Africa.

Two U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft assigned to the 391st and 389th Fighter Squadron sit on the Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, flight line during sunset Dec. 6, 2010. The F-15E is a dual-role fighter designed to perform air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. An array of avionics and electronics systems gives the F-15E the capability to fight at low altitude, day or night, in all weather.

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon sits on the flightline of the Ohio National Guards 180th Fighter Wing, in the early morning hours, during a large-scale readiness inspection, Aug. 8, 2022, at the base in Swanton, Ohio. 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.

A silhouette of a Strike Fighter Squadron 136 (VFA-136) F/A-18C Hornet Aircraft. The squadron is assigned to the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN-73). Country: Unknown

A New Jersey National Guard KC-135R Stratotanker from the 108th Wing sits on the flightline awaiting to offload cargo and passengers on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J, Nov. 21, 2017. This photo was captured with a 30 second exposure.

A CF-18B Hornet, from 410 Fighter Squadron taxies out for takeoff at 4 Wing Cold Lake. In the background a CF-18B is airborne after takeoff during the joint exercise, that will test the response of the air intercept and air defense capabilities of the American and Canadian Forces, supporting the mission of NORAD (North American Air Defense command). Subject Operation/Series: AMALGAM WARRIOR Base: Cold Lake State: Alberta (AB) Country: Canada (CAN)

221206-N-MW880-1176 TYRRHENIAN SEA (Dec. 6, 2022) An F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 136, on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), Dec. 6, 2022. The George H.W. Bush CSG 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.

PACIFIC OCEAN (March 26, 2014) Sailors maneuver an F/A-18E Super Hornet on the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ronald Reagan is underway conducting tailored ships training availability.

Airman 1st Class William Phillips, 389th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron crew chief, and Airman 1st Class Leyton Wheeler, 332d Expeditionary Fighter Generation Squadron crew chief, perform preflight operations on an F-15E Strike Eagle at an undisclosed location, Southwest Asia, Nov. 15, 2022. Preflight checks allow aircrew to guarantee that all systems are working properly, reducing the risk of in-flight emergencies.

A U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon pilot, from the 177th Fighter Wing of the New Jersey Air National Guard, taxis down a runway in preparation for a night flying mission Dec. 1, 2022, at the Atlantic City International Airport, Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey. The night flying was conducted to train pilots for safe and effective night operations.

110701-N-ZX160-006SOUTH CHINA SEA (July 1, 2011) An F/A-18E Super Hornet launches from the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) during night flight operations. George Washington is underway in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility.

GULF OF OMAN (Oct. 14, 2013) Sailors perform a foreign object damage (FOD) walk-down on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). Harry S. Truman, flagship for the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, supporting theater security cooperation efforts and supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

F/A-18 Hornet aircraft of Marine Fighter-Attack Squadron 451 (VMFA-451) and Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 333 (VMFA-333) line an airfield during Operation Desert Shield. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Unknown

050709-N-8060A-010. Base: USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70)

DN-ST-86-11427. Country: Philippine Sea

An F-14A Tomcat aircraft is launched from the aircraft carrier USS AMERICA (CV-66) during the joint service Exercise Ocean Venture '93. Base: USS America (CV 66) State: Puerto Rico (PR) Country: United States Of America (USA)

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

F/A-18A Hornet USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) US Navy

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer, assigned to the 34th Bomb Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, taxis on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, after arriving for a Bomber Task Force mission June 3, 2022. Bomber Task Force missions contribute to joint force lethality and deter aggression in the Indo-Pacific by demonstrating the United States Air Force's ability to operate anywhere in the world at any time in support of the National Defense Strategy.

040322-F-1740G-001. Base: Andersen Air Base State: Guam (GU) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle assigned to the 492nd Fighter Squadron takes off during night flying operations at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, Aug. 17, 2022. Through Daily training, the 48th Fighter Wing is committed to staying ready to deliver combat air power when called upon.

DF-ST-88-05110. Subject Operation/Series: COBBLER FREEZE Base: Deadhorse State: Alaska (AK) Country: United States Of America (USA)

030113-F-1443F-005. Base: Aviano Air Base State: Pordenone Country: Italy (ITA) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

Two 57th Fighter Weapons Wing F-15E Eagle aircraft taxi out to the runway during cold weather testing of the aircraft. Base: Eielson Air Force Base State: Alaska (AK) Country: United States Of America (USA)

SOUTH CHINA SEA (April 10, 2017) An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the Blue Blasters” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 34 prepares to launch from the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled western Pacific deployment as part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet-led initiative to extend the command and control functions of U.S. 3rd Fleet. U.S Navy aircraft carrier strike groups have patrolled the Indo-Asia-Pacific regularly and routinely for more than 70 years.

OKINAWA, Japan (May 10, 2012) Aviation Ordnancemen 3rd Class Tasha Coles, a Sailor assigned to the War Eagles of Patrol Squadron (VP) 16 preps the wing of a P-3C Orion before loading weapons onto the aircraft. The War Eagles are on their last deployment before transitioning to the P-8A Poseidon this summer.

U.S. Air National Guard Lt. Col. Jeremy Doohen, pilot, 114th Fighter Wing, taxis in from a training sortie during Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course 2-22 at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., April 5, 2022. WTI is a seven-week training event hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1), providing standardized advanced tactical training and certification of unit instructor qualifications to support Marine aviation training and readiness, and assists in developing and employing aviation weapons and tactics.

A crewman watches from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS AMERICA (CV 66) as an A-6 intruder aircraft approches for a landing. Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

DN-SN-86-03936. Base: USS Coral Sea (CV 43) Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

Airmen from the 432nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron perform maintenance on an MQ-9 Reaper in preparation to support Red Flag 16-3 at Creech Air Force Base, Nev., July 20, 2016. The exercise also incorporated aircraft platforms from U.S. military services and coalition partners in a variety of training scenarios.

061116-N-7130B-424. Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 33rd Fighter Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, receives fuel from a KC-10 Extender over the panhandle of Florida, Aug. 15, 2022. The F-35A provides next-generation stealth, enhanced situational awareness and reduced vulnerability for the United States and allied nations.

Sunset Landing of a US Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier at Al Asad Air Base in Iraq's Al Anbar Province

220715-N-TP544-1000 ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 15, 2022) A U.S. Marine performs maintenance on an AH-1Z Viper helicopter, attached to the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), on the flight deck of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) during night flight operations, July 15, 2022. The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and embarked 22nd MEU, 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.

221208-N-BR419-1105 PHILIPPPINE SEA (Dec. 8, 2022) A Super Puma (EC-225) helicopter delivers cargo on the flight deck of U.S. Navys only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), during a vertical replenishment with the Military Sealift Command dry cargo and ammunition ship, USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE 10), in the Philippine Sea, Dec. 8. Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific/Task Force 73 is the U.S. Navy's premiere maritime mobile logistics organization that supports the Seventh Fleet area of operations. Located to Southeast Asia COMLOG WESTPAC in conjunction with Military Sealift Command Far East, logistically supplies the U.S. Navy's deployed units in the Western Pacific along with regional Allies and partners. Ronald Reagan, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5, provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the United States, and supports Alliances, partnerships and collective maritime interests in the Indo-Pacific region.

001009-N-3400W-011. Base: USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63)

110216-N-DM338-313PACIFIC OCEAN (Feb. 16, 2011) An F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to the Argonauts of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147 moves into position to catapult from the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group is underway conducting a joint task force exercise before deploying to the western Pacific Ocean and the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

030305-M-2900S-053. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base State: Al Ahmadi Country: Kuwait (KWT)

120121-N-ZI635-067 ARABIAN SEA (Jan. 21, 2012) Sailors watch the sunset from the hangar bay aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

041108-F-2390B-017. Base: Tyndall Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Close-up of a fighter plane taking off from an aircraft carrier, F-14B Tomcat, USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75), US Navy

A1C Kacy Hochstater waits for the signal to marshall out an F-15 Strike Eagle before a mission is flown against targets in Yugoslavia, April 19,1999. Hochstater of Portland, Oregon, is a Crew CHIEF, assigned to the 494th Fighter Squadron, RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom, deployed to Aviano Air Base, Italy, in support of NATO Operation Allied Force. This image was shot through a Starlight System. Subject Operation/Series: ALLIED FORCE Base: Aviano Air Base State: Pordenone Country: Italy (ITA)

U.S. Air Force maintenance Airmen assigned to the 90th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron prepare for the F-22 Raptors return to Łask Air Base, Poland, Aug. 17, 2022. The 90th EFS forward deployed to Łask Air Base, Poland to bolster NATOs collective defense posture through Air Shielding.

A U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon prepares to taxi to the runway prior to the night scenarios of exercise Red Flag-Nellis (RF-N) 23-2 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, March 16, 2023. RF-N 23-2 provides a challenging and dynamic environment for the 20th Fighter Wing pilots and aircrew by bringing air forces and airframes from around the world together multiple times a year to integrate as a team during simulated wartime operations, ensuring seamless interoperability for potential future conflicts.

U.S. Marine AH-1Z Viper pilots with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 167 wait for clearance to takeoff from Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, Michigan, Aug. 6, 2022. HMLA-167 trained with U.S. Army National Guard and U.S. Air National Guard units during joint exercise Northern Strike 22-2. HMLA-167 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force.

ATLANTIC OCEAN (Oct. 30, 2017) An F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to the "Fighting Checkmates" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 211 prepares to launch from the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). Harry S. Truman has successfully completed a tailored shipboard test availability and final evaluation problem and is underway preparing for future operations.

Military Jets Fixed Wing Boeing Aviat Airplanes F/A-18 Hornet fighter

011107-F-0308N-027. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Country: Unknown Scene Major Command Shown: CENTCOM

A U.S. Air Force Reserve Command A-10 Thunderbolt II, assigned to the 924th Fighter Group, sits on the flightline at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Oct. 11, 2022. The 924th FG functionally integrates with the 355th Operations Group and 355th Maintenance Group to conduct A-10 pilot training.

A front view of a B-52 bomber aircraft as ground crewman perform maintenance during exercise Bright Star '83. Base: Cairo West Air Base State: Al Qahirah Country: Egypt (EGY)

An F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 80th Fighter Squadron takes off during a training event at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Sept. 14, 2022. The training included routine flying operations, inert hung munitions and the launch and recovery of aircraft under a simulated chemical or biological threat.

Aircraft handlers use an MD-3A tow tractor to respot a Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 125 (VAW-125) E-2C Hawkeye aircraft on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS SARATOGA (CV-60) during Operation Desert Shield. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Unknown

A technician in chemical warfare gear works on AIM-9 missiles during Sidewinder II exercises. Subject Operation/Series: SIDEWINDER II Base: Amsterdam Country: Holland / Netherlands (HOL)

000923-N-6967M-506. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH 2000 Base: Uss George Washington (CVN 73) State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DN-ST-86-00536. Base: USS Lexington (AVT 16)

040109-F-4141A-003. Base: Offutt Air Force Base State: Nebraska (NE) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey aircraft sits on the flight line Oct. 21, 2010, at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz. The aircraft was flown in support of Weapons and Tactics Instructor's Course 1-11 hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One.

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 55th Regeneration Squadron performs maintenance on an HH-60G Pave Hawk assigned to the 55th Rescue Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Oct. 11, 2022. The 55th RQS provides rapid deployable combat search and rescue forces to theater commanders worldwide and continually deploys aircraft and aircrews in response to national disasters, domestic search and rescue and medical evacuation missions.

A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II.

Hawaii Air National guard aircrew and crew chiefs from the 203rd Air Refueling Squadron and 154th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron conduct a pre-flight inspection of a KC-135 Stratotanker December 7, 2022, at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. The training was held as part of exercise PACIFIC EDGE 23, held to enhance air-combat proficiencies through the integration of allied units and further the interoperability between U.S. and bilateral aircraft units.

The sun rises over the flight deck before a full-bore, full metal jacket drill onboard the nuclear aircraft carrier USS George Washington. USS George Washington is currently participating in Exercise Talisman Sabre 2011.

DF-ST-87-03958. Subject Operation/Series: COPE NORTH '86-3 Base: Komatsu Air Base Country: Japan (JPN)

111202-N-OY799-102 ARABIAN GULF (Dec. 2, 2011) Fixed-wing aircraft are chalked and chained aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). John C. Stennis is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations and support missions as part of Operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Trevor Hill, 79th Expeditionary Fighter Generation Squadron crew chief, performs a preflight inspection on an F-16CM Fighting Falcon prior to its departure, during Operation Agile Spartan III at an undisclosed location, September 6, 2022. In order for pilots from the 79th EFS to depart and demonstrate vital Agile Combat Employment capabilities from a dispersed location, Airmen from Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait and Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, rapidly deployed, testing its logistics and operational capabilities. These actions reflect the ACE paradigm, which is to proactively and reactively execute an operational scheme of maneuver within threat timelines in order to increase survivability while simultaneously generating combat power.

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 378th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, conduct maintenance checks on a KC-10 Extender aircraft assigned to the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron at Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dec. 9, 2022. The KC-10 is one of the airframes in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility that provides air refueling capability to provide global reach for overseas contingency operations.

Senior Airman Alexander Arndt, a crew chief with the 124th Fighter Wing, Boise, Idaho, prepares an A-10 Thunderbolt II for flight March 20, 2017 at the 124th Fighter Wing. The A-10 Thunderbolt II is designed for close air support of ground forces.

010924-F-4177H-004. Base: Raf Lakenheath State: East Anglia Country: England / Great Britain (ENG) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

220714-N-TP544-1332 ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 14, 2022) A MV-22 Osprey, attached to the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, idles on the flight deck of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) during night flight operations July 14, 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.

Pilot climbing into the cockpit of a Romanian Air Force F-16AM Fighting Falcon.

An F-15 Eagle aircraft is serviced at night by a maintenance crew member of the 18th Aircraft Generation Squadron during PITCH BLACK '88, a joint Australia-US Exercise emphasizing night flying. Base: Raaf Darwin State: Northern Territory Country: Australia (AUS)

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