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F-16 Fighter Jets in Action

F-16 fighters from various air forces, captured during training exercises and critical operational preparations.

F-16 Prepares to Launch

Two technicians examine the AN/APQ-120(V) fire control radar in the nose of a 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing F-4E Phantom II aircraft. Base: Clark Air Base State: Luzon Country: Philippines (PHL)

A Royal Saudi Air Force F-15 turns on its afterburners.

DF-ST-89-06397. Base: Farnborough Country: England / Great Britain (ENG)

A Royal Danish Air Force F-16AM Fighting Falcon taking off.

Turkish Air Force F-16 in flight during Exercise Anatolian Eagle 2016.

070122-N-0684R-102. Base: USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74)

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle taxis on the flight line during a routine training mission at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, September 1, 2022. Pilots use continuous training to maintain and perfect air-to-air and air-to-ground combat skills.

US Marine Corps aviator prepares to launch a Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier from Al Asad Air Base, Al Anbar Province, Iraq

020118-F-5872L-021. Subject Operation/Series: COPE TIGER '02 Base: Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base Country: Thailand (THA)

An Israeli Air Force F-16I Sufa takes off from Decimomannu Air Base, Sardinia, Italy, during Exercise Starex 2009.

Mr. Jack Skolds F-16 Fighting Falcon, (Aircraft #924) takes off. Skolds is the President of SCE&G. He is visiting the 169th Fighter Wing at McEntire, South Carolina's Air National Guard Station to receive an orientation flight on the F-16C, Block 52 aircraft. Base: Mcentire Ang Station State: South Carolina (SC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A Hellenic Air Force F-16D Fighting Falcon assigned to the 115 Combat Wing, prepares to land during exercise Poseidons Rage 22 at Souda Air Base, Greece, July 20, 2022. The U.S. Air Forces bilateral integration with NATO allies during exercises helps to bolster the alliance, by exchanging best practices, improving readiness and interoperability.

U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 24th Fighter Wing, Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Forth Worth, Texas, sit on the flight line during Weapons System Evaluation Program-East 23.01 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Oct. 5, 2022. WSEP-E 23.01 combined COMBAT ARCHER and COMBAT HAMMER exercises, allowing participating units to be evaluated on not only air-to-air weapons employment normally held at Tyndall, but air-to-ground weapons as well.

020322-F-9232S-010. Subject Operation/Series: NOBLE EAGLE Base: Selfridge Air Natl Guard Base State: Michigan (MI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft taxis to the runway as another takes off Oct. 18, 2010, at Kwangju Air Base, Republic of Korea, during exercise Max Thunder 10-02.

020227-F-5701K-003. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Peter J. Ganci Jr. Air Base State: Chuskaya Oblast Country: Kyrgyzstan (KGZ) Scene Major Command Shown: CENTAF

U.S. Marine Corps aviation specialists, assigned to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1), conduct routine maintenance on an F/A-18 Hornet during Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course 2-22, at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, April 12, 2022. WTI is a seven-week training event hosted by 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.

Romanian Air Force F-16AM Fighting Falcon on the ramp at BorceaAir Base, Romania.

040818-F-0703J-006. Base: RAF Lakenheath State: Suffolk Country: United Kingdom (GBR)

Two Royal Bahraini Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons taxi during Exercise Ballast Cannon 24.3 at an undisclosed location within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Jan. 10, 2024. The long-standing relationships the U.S. Air Force has developed within the CENTCOM AOR enable routine training advancing the coalitions ability to become a seamless operational force across every warfighting domain.

980420-F-4116M-002. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH 1998 Base: Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base State: Al Ahmadi Country: Kuwait (KWT) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

An EA-18G Growler of the U.S. Navy.

Colorado Air National Guard F-16C Jet in 100th anniversary markings during Exercise Air Defender 2023.

041107-F-0730D-007. Base: 174th Fighter Wing State: New York (NY) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A Bulgarian Air Force MiG-29 during Exercise Thracian Star.

An Italian Air Force Tornado fighter-bomber takes off for a training flight.

DF-ST-86-08029. Base: Cairo West Country: Egypt (EGY)

U.S. Air Force F-16CM/DM Fighting Falcon operating from Graf Ignatievo Air Base, Bulgaria.

Spanish Navy AV-8B Harrier at Rota Naval Air Station, Spain.

A U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon taking off.

An F-16C Barak of the Israeli Air Force landing at Hatzor Air Force Base, Israel.

Romanian Air Force IAR-99 Soim taking off.

A Turkish Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon Block 50+ taking off.

F-15I Ra'am from the Israeli Air Force landing at Decimomannu Air Base.

A U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon assigned to the 77th Fighter Squadron, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, takes off during Weapons System Evaluation Program-East 22.08 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, May 17, 2022. WSEP is a formal, two-week evaluation exercise designed to test a squadrons capabilities to conduct live-fire weapons systems during air-to-air combat training missions.

A Marine Attack Squadron 513 (VMA-513) AV-88 Harrier aircraft takes off on a training flight. Base: Marine Corps Air Station,Iwakuni Country: Japan (JPN)

An AV-8B Harrier assigned to Marine Attack Squadron 223, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, taxis out for a mission, during Green Flag-West 24-04 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Jan. 17, 2024. Green Flag exercises provide critical joint training for approximately 25,000 joint and coalition personnel per year, including 450 sorties, 900 flight hours, and the expenditure of over 100,000 pounds of live and training ordnance. Air Force

040227-F-9232S-075. Base: Selfridge Air Natl Guard Base State: Michigan (MI) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: 127th Wing

Israeli Air Force F-16C Barak taking off from Ovda Air Base, Israel.

McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A Hornet van de Canadian Armed Forces.

Thirty-three A-10 Thunderbolt IIs arrive at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho, to compete in Hawgsmoke 2022, Sept 6, 2022. Hawgsmoke is a biennial USAF bombing, missile, and tactical gunnery competition for A-10 Thunderbolt II units which provides unique training.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (Sep. 17, 2022)- Pilots from the "Gladiators" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 106 wave to the crowd after performing the Super Hornet demonstration during the 2022 Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana Air Show. The NAS Oceana Air Show's theme was "Back to the Beach", as it has been two years since the last performance.

A U.S. Marine with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 312, Marine Air Group 31, uses hand signals to help guide an F/A-18 Hornet to the runway at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, Oct. 2, 2022. Pilots with VMFA-312 departed for the Unit Deployment Program in order to provide forward presence and assist commanders around the globe.

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 510th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron takes off at 86th Air Base, Romania, April 30, 2022. The 510th EFS is deployed from the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano Air Base.

Florida Air National Guard F-15C at Campia Turzii, Romania.

Italian Air Force F-2000 Typhoon aircraft fly in formation.

020512-M-1621H-003. Subject Operation/Series: TRUEX 2002 Base: Macon State: Georgia (GA) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: 24 MEU

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Aircraft of the 920th Rescue Wing are lined up at the Shuttle landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida to take part in the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Space and Air Show Nov. 8-9. They will join the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels for the show. The Navy's elite flight demonstration squadron will take to the skies in military aircraft demonstrations by the F-16 Fighting Falcon and F/A-18 Super Hornet jets for the second annual Space & Air Show at Kennedy. This years show brings together the best in military aircraft, coupled with precision pilots and veteran astronauts to celebrate spaceflight and aviation. The event includes military aircraft demonstrations by the F-16 Fighting Falcon and a water rescue demonstration by the 920th Rescue Wing.

A Polish Air Force F-16 Block 52+ during TLP in Spain.

A Hellenic Air Force A-7E Corsair.

Israeli Air Force F-16D Barak armed with JDAM bomb, Python-5 and Sidewinder missiles.

970427-F-1787R-234. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH Base: Doha Country: Qatar (QAT)

Republic of Korea (ROK) Air Force KAI T-50 Golden Eagles assigned to the 53rd Air Demonstration Group, Black Eagles, depart to practice a routine above Kunsan Air Base, ROK, Sept. 28, 2022. An aerial demonstration team can fly as close as 18 inches apart during a show.

F-111F aircraft of the 48th T Tactical Fighter Wing prepare to depart for Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Desert Shield. The F-111F in the foreground is equipped with a laser-guided bomb on the outboard wing pylon. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Base: Raf Lakenheath State: East Anglia Country: England / Great Britain (ENG)

F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 52nd Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem Air Base Germany await take off from Royal Air Force (RAF) Lakenheath, United Kingdom, during a phase II exercise. Personnel from the 52nd Fighter Wing are currently deployed to Lakenheath in preparation for a NATO Tactical Evaluation in October. Base: Raf Lakenheath State: East Anglia Country: England / Great Britain (ENG) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

A U.S. Air Force F-15 Eagle from the Oregon Air National Guards 142nd Fighter Wing prepares to take off from the McChord Field flightline at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, Aug. 17, 2022. With the help of the Portland Air National Guards F-15 Eagle, the 627th Civil Engineering Squadron tested their aircraft arresting system, BAK-12.

The U.S. Air Force's F-16D Automatic Collision Avoidance Technology (ACAT) aircraft crew takes a close look at a Mojave Desert hill during a March 2009 flight. NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center worked with the Air Force Research Laboratory in the ACAT Fighter Risk Reduction Project to develop collision avoidance technologies for fighter/attack aircraft that would reduce the risk of ground and mid-air collisions.

U.S Marines with Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA(AW)) 533 conducts preflight checks at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, May 30, 2022. Marines with VMFA(AW)-533 conducted a flyover at Guam Veterans Cemetery during the Annual Veterans Day Memorial Service

010310-F-3431H-148. Subject Operation/Series: CORONET EAST Base: Lajes Air Field State: Azores Country: Portugal (PRT)

Members of the 114th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron weapons load team, perform End Of Runway (EOR) checks on an F-16 assigned to the 114th Fighter Wing 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 US Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 20th Fighter Wing, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, arrives at Aviano Air Base, Italy, on Thursday, April 15, 1999. Members of the 20th Fighter Wing and several F-16CJ Fighting Falcons (not shown) are deploying to Italy to support NATO Operation Allied Force. Subject Operation/Series: ALLIED FORCE Base: Aviano Air Base State: Pordenone Country: Italy (ITA)

DF-ST-87-07607. Subject Operation/Series: GALLANT EAGLE '86 Base: Davis-Monthan Air Force Base State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A British Royal Air Force Jaguar flies along side a RAF VC-10 Tanker Refueler (Not shown) during a mission supporting Operation NORTHERN WATCH. Subject Operation/Series: NORTHERN WATCH Country: Unknown

ARABIAN GULF (Oct. 6, 2020) An E/A-18G Growler from the Cougars” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 139 makes an arrested landing on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in support of Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR). Nimitz, the flagship of Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations, conducting missions in support of OIR and maritime security operations alongside regional and coalition partners.

Italian Air Force EF-2000 Typhoon during Exercise NATO Tiger Meet.

A Navy EA-6B Prowler aircraft takes off for its daily mission from Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, during Operation SOUTHERN WATCH. The EA-6B is part of the coalition forces of the 363d Air Expeditionary Wing, Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, that enforces the no-fly and no-drive zone in Southern Iraq to protect and defend against Iraqi aggression. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH Base: Prince Sultan Air Base Country: Saudi Arabia (SAU)

LEEUWARDEN, NETHERLANDS - APRIL 11, 2016: A dutch F-16 on the ground during the exercise Frisian Flag. The exercise is considered one of the most important NATO training events this year.

Italian Air Force F-2000 Typhoon aircraft fly in formation.

Israeli Air Force F-16C Block 30 Barak taxiing in Andravida, Greece.

220520-N-OA487-1004 HILLSBORO (May 20, 2022) - Lt. Gypsy Clark, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 25 talks to spectators visiting VFA-25's F/A-18E Super Hornet static display during the 2022 Oregon International Air Show in Hillsboro, Oregon, 20-22 May. During the show, more than 100,000 attendees were able to observe and interact with an all-women team of U.S. Navy aviators and crew, and view U.S. Navy aircraft including the F-35C Lightning II, CMV-22 Osprey, EA-18G Growler, F/A-18E Super Hornet, C-2A Greyhound, EP-3E Aries II, and MH-60S and MH-60R Seahawk helicopters.

011021-F-9232S-011. Subject Operation/Series: NOBLE EAGLE Base: Selfridge Air Natl Guard Base State: Michigan (MI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 416th Flight Test Squadron, 412th Test Wing, takes off from Edwards Air Force Base, California, to conduct a flyover to kick off the 2022 MLB All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, July 19. (Air Force photo by Giancarlo Casem)

U.S. Air Force Maj. Haden Gator Fullam, A-10C Thunderbolt II Demonstration Team pilot and commander, flies over San Marcos, Texas, May 28, 2022. The A-10 Demonstration Teams jet has a heritage paint job to pay tribute to the 355th Tactical Fighter Wings contributions in the Vietnam War, including special dedication to personnel who were killed in action or became prisoners of war.

040330-F-5833N-268. Base: Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base State: Al Ahmadi Country: Kuwait (KWT)

DF-ST-88-05713. Base: Macdill Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An F-16 Fighting Falcon from the Air Force Reserve Command Test Center arrives in support of a joint force exercise on Sept. 8, 2022, at Dugway Proving Ground, Utah. This joint force exercise incorporates more than seven military entities across three branches creating innovative operational concepts to allow quick response to an ever changing wartime horizon.

Royal Thai Air Force Alpha Jet during Exercise Cope Tiger 2016.

020130-F-3886C-007. Base: Osan Air Base Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR) Scene Major Command Shown: PACAF

A Bulgarian Air Force MiG-21 during Exercise Thracian Star.

020116-F-5872L-002. Subject Operation/Series: COPE TIGER '02 Base: Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base Country: Thailand (THA) Scene Major Command Shown: PACAF

A U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier with Marine Attack Squadron 223 (VMA-223), Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command, taxis the flight line at Isa Air Base, Bahrain, Dec. 31, 2015. VMA-223 supports Operation Inherent Resolve by providing airstrikes and close air support in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

An Italian Air Force M-346 jet.

Brazilian Air Force Super Tucano during exercise Cruzex 2018, Brazil.

A U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle assigned to the 67th Fighter Squadron takes off during the aviation training relocation program at Japan Air Self-Defense Force Tsuiki Air Base, Fukuoka, Japan, Nov. 10, 2022. The aviation training relocation program has allowed U.S. and JASDF forces to strengthen relations and develop mutual trust, ultimately strengthening the U.S.-Japan Security Alliance.

Pair of Su-25 attack aircraft of the Russian Air Force taking off, Kubinka, Russia.

Polish Air Force MiG-29UB during NATO's Tactical Leadership Program exercise at Albacete Airfield, Spain.

U.S. Air Force Col. Tom Sling Bladen, the previous wing commander of the 104th Fighter Wing, poses for a photo with pilots with the 131st Fighter Squadron after completing his fini flight on August 4, 2022, at Barnes Air National Guard Base, Massachusetts. Fini flights or final flights are ceremonial flights performed at the conclusion of ones career or assignment. This flight concluded Bladens 25-year long career and over 2,400 flight hours in the F-15.

060929-N-4774B-153. Base: Naval Base, North Island State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Arizona Air National Guard F-16C taking off during Exercise Ample Strike 18.

Right side view of a pair of F-15 Eagles from the 44th Fighter Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan, take off for another strike mission. Subject Operation/Series: IRON FIST '95 Base: Raaf Williamstown Country: Australia (AUS)

Spanish Navy AV-8B Harrier at Rota Naval Air Station, Spain.

An EAV-8B+ of Escuadrilla 009 of the Spanish Navy.

980402-F-7910D-006. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH 1998 Base: Prince Sultan Air Base Country: Saudi Arabia (SAU) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

Venezuelan Air Force F-16 landing with parachute brake deployed.

A Swiss Air Force F/A-18 Hornet takes off at its homebase Meiringen, Switzerland.

Spanish Navy AV-8B Harrier at Rota Naval Air Station, Spain.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - An F/A-18 jet lands at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It will join the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels and other aircraft for demonstrations at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Space and Air Show Nov. 8-9. The Navy's elite flight demonstration squadron will take to the skies in military aircraft demonstrations by the F-16 Fighting Falcon and F/A-18 Super Hornet jets for the second annual Space & Air Show at Kennedy. This years show brings together the best in military aircraft, coupled with precision pilots and veteran astronauts to celebrate spaceflight and aviation. The event includes military aircraft demonstrations by the F-16 Fighting Falcon and a water rescue demonstration by the 920th Rescue Wing.

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon from the South Carolina Air National Guards 157th Fighter Squadron take off for a daily training sortie from Columbia Metropolitan Airport, Columbia, South Carolina, July 27, 2022. The SCANG is currently flying out of Columbia Metropolitan Airport during a runway construction project underway at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C.

A pair of Hungarian Air Force JAS-39 Gripen over Lithuania.

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