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Joint Airlift and Humanitarian Missions

Aircrew preparing and conducting missions in collaboration with various units during humanitarian aid and military operations, emphasizing teamwork and readiness.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Corey Martin, 18th Air Force commander, right, speaks with Col. Adam Bingham, 6th Air Refueling Wing commander, upon arrival at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, Sept. 15, 2022. As Air Mobility Commands sole numbered air force, 18th Air Force ensures readiness and sustainment of approximately 36,000 active duty, Air Force Reserve and civilian Airmen at 12 wings and one direct reporting unit.
U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Corey Martin, 18th Air Force commander, right, speaks with Col. Adam Bingham, 6th Air Refueling Wing commander, upon arrival at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, Sept. 15, 2022. As Air Mobility Commands sole numbered air force, 18th Air Force ensures readiness and sustainment of approximately 36,000 active duty, Air Force Reserve and civilian Airmen at 12 wings and one direct reporting unit.
243 assets in this story
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Pacific Islands Tour: Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne and aides to Guam, U.S. Territory
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Westfield Technical Academy holds a graduation ceremony for the Aviation Maintenance Technology Class of 2022 May 26, 2022, at Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport, Westfield, Massachusetts. Col. David 'Moon' Halasi-Kun, 104th Fighter Wing vice-commander, gave the keynote address during the ceremony. Staff Sgt. Christopher Chaves, 104th Maintenance Group maintainer and an instructor for the graduating students, spoke on the students behalf and presented them their certificates. Halasi-Kun, Master Sgt. Glenda Schuster and Staff Sgt. Justin Cousineau, Massachusetts Air National Guard recruiters, conducted the oath of enlistment for James Coach, one of the graduates and future member of the engine shop in the 104MXG, during the ceremony.
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220809-N-AS200-4727 POINT MUGU, Calif. (Aug. 9, 2022) - Lt. Cmdr. Carlos Molina, assigned to the "Wallbangers" Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 117, takes a photo with his family following a seven-month deployment to U.S. 3rd Fleet and 7th Fleet areas of operations with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9, embarked aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). CVW-9 deployed with a combination of fourth and fifth-generation platforms that predominantly represent the Airwing of the Future, executing more than 21,307 fixed-wing and helicopter flight hours comprising of 10,250 sorties, 8,437 launches and 8,487 aircraft arrestments.
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The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, known as the Thunderbirds, perform for the Field of Flight in Battle Creek, Michigan, July 3, 2022. The Thunderbirds are celebrating their 69th year representing the U.S. Air Force and are slated to perform nearly 70 shows across 32 locations this year.
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Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Ron Standerfer, North American F-100 Super Sabre pilot and Vietnam War Veteran, speaks to members of the 177th Fighter Wing, family, friends and fellow veterans May 26, 2022, at the Atlantic City Air National Guard Base, Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey. The F-100F static display at the 177th FW, 56-3897, is on loan from the National Museum of the United States Air Force and was dedicated to Standerfer for his service in Vietnam.
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The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron "Thunderbirds" practice in El Centro, California, Feb. 22 - Mar. 1, 2024. The Thunderbirds travel to El Centro every year to practice alongside their counterparts, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. Air Force
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US Air Force SENIOR AIRMAN Cindy Nakoski, physiology support, 363rd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron, Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, shares a laugh with USAF Captain Darrell Dunn as she ensures his suit is functioning properly as part of the pre-flight procedures for a U-2 aircraft. SRA Nakoski and CPT Dunn are part of the coalition force here to support Operation SOUTHERN WATCH, a military effort to enforce the no-fly and no-drive zone in Southern Iraq. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH Base: Prince Sultan Air Base Country: Saudi Arabia (SAU)
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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39, members of space shuttle Endeavour's STS-123 mission practice driving the M-113 armored personnel carrier. The crew members of space shuttle Endeavour's STS-123 mission will each practice driving the M-113 in turn as part of his training on emergency egress procedures. From left are Pilot Gregory H. Johnson; Mission Specialists Robert L. Behnken and Garrett Reisman; Commander Dominic Gorie; and Mission Specialists Mike Foreman and Rick Linnehan. An M-113 will be available to transport the crew to safety in the event of a contingency on the pad before their launch. The STS-123 crew is at Kennedy for a full launch dress rehearsal, known as the terminal countdown demonstration test or TCDT. Endeavour's seven astronauts arrived at Kennedy's Shuttle Landing Facility in their T-38 training aircraft between 10:45 and 10:58 a.m. EST. The terminal countdown demonstration test provides astronauts and ground cr
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The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron "Thunderbirds" train in Edwards Air Force Base, California, Jan. 22 - Feb. 5, 2024. This marked the third annual Thunderbirds winter training trip, which allows the team to rehearse the show prior to kickstarting the season in March. Air Force
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020108-F-5872L-008. Subject Operation/Series: COPE TIGER 02 Base: Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base Country: Thailand (THA) Scene Major Command Shown: PACAF
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STS-119 Crew Return Ceremony to Ellington Field. Photo Date: March 29, 2009. Location: Ellington Field - Hangar 990.
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The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, known as the Thunderbirds, perform at the Frontiers in Flight Open House and Air Show on McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, Sept. 24, 2022. The Thunderbirds represent the pride, precision and professionalism of 695,000 total force American Airmen across the globe.
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060102-G-0908J-005. Base: Cgas Barbers Point, Oahu State: Hawaii (HI) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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Mr. Rodney Coleman, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower, Reserve Affairs, Installations and Environment, poses in front of a T-1 aircraft bearing his name. Base: Reese Air Force Base State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Christopher Chidgey, 480th Fighter Squadron pilot from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, is interviewed by media at Exercise Real Thaw 22, on Beja Air Base, Portugal, June 29, 2022. Real Thaw is a Portuguese air force-led training exercise, and will mark the 70th anniversary of the Portuguese air force.
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LT. Patricia A. Denkler poses for a picture. Denkler became the first Navy woman to be carrier qualified in a jet aircraft when she landed aboard the aircraft carrier USS LEXINGTON (AVT-16) in September. Base: Naval Air Station, Pensacola State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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Ames 70_year picture day on Flight line.
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Audience members observe a United States Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, performance during the 2022 Ellsworth Air and Space Show at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., May 14, 2022. The airshow, Ellsworth Air Force Bases first since 2015, was attended by more than 60,000 people.
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Air show attendees pose for a photo on the flight line filled with static display aircraft during the Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona Air Show at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., March 26, 2023. The show featured a variety of aircraft flying and on display.
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Portrait of asian man, fighter pilot with jet and confident smile at airforce base with arms crossed in Korea. Freedom, transport and proud Asian soldier with airplane, confident and service in army.
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040302-F-4539R-015. Complete Scene Caption: Laura Harvester (left), daughter of US Air Force (USAF) STAFF Sergeant (SSGT) Eric Harvester, Systems Controller, 1ST Combat Communications Squadron (CCS), Ramstein Air Base (AB), Germany (DEU), wears the fighter-pilot helmet that General (GEN) Robert H. Doc Foglesong (center), Commander, Allied Air Component Command Headquarters Ramstein (CC-Air Ramstein), and Commander, Air Component, US European Command (USEUCOM), US Air Force in Europe (USAFE), Ramstein AB, brought to show when he and his wife, Mary (right), kicked off Reading Day by sharing Green Eggs and Ham with a fourth grade class at Ramstein Intermediate School in support of the seventh annual Read Across America, sponsored by the National Education Association (NEA), and to celebrate Dr, Seuss 100th birthday. Base: Ramstein Air Base State: Rheinland-Pfalz Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)
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230122-N-TV337-1099 EL CENTRO, Calif. (Jan. 22, 2023) Lt. Cmdr. Thomas Zimmerman, narrator of the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, practices performing during a training flight over Naval Air Facility (NAF) El Centro. The Blue Angels are currently conducting winter training at NAF El Centro, California, in preparation for the upcoming 2023 air show season.
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ADM Steve Abbot, Deputy Commander CHIEF, European Command, visits the U.S Navy EA-6B "Prowlers" squadron April 21, 1999. The prowlers (not shown) are deployed from Cherry Point, North Carolina. Abott thanked the seamen for their hard work and dedication in supprt of NATO Operation Allied Force. Subject Operation/Series: ALLIED FORCE Base: Aviano Air Base State: Pordenone Country: Italy (ITA)
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US Air Force Major General Williams, Commander, 21st Air Force, dicusses C-5 Galaxy aircraft issues with Aircrew members from Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, during his visit to Dover AFB. Base: Dover Air Force Base State: Delaware (DE) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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Members of USAID Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) arrive in Kathmandu, Nepal to assist with U.S. response efforts in the aftermath of the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck central Nepal, on April 25th, affecting more than 8 million people and causing widespread damage and destruction.
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Japan Air Self-Defense Force Capt. Shigenobu Matsufuji, 401st Tactical Airlift Squadron C-130H pilot, 401st Tactical Airlift Squadron C-130H pilot, decorates a bundle box during Operation Christmas Drop 2022 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Dec. 3, 2022. OCD is the Department of Defenses longest running humanitarian aid and disaster relief mission and provides aid to more than 50 islands throughout the Pacific. Operations such as OCD provide the U.S. and its partners the opportunity to enhance joint operational capabilities and maintain preparedness for real world emergencies.
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030804-F-7825H-081. Base: Charleston State: West Virginia (WV) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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Retired U.S. Air Force Veteran Jonesy Jones, Misty Forward Air Controller reunion member, tries on part of a flight suit from Aircraft Flight Equipment during the Misty FAC tour of the 33rd Fighter Wing, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, Oct. 14, 2022. Misty FACs flew at low altitudes, spotting and marking enemy targets in heavily-defended areas in Laos and Norther Vietnam during the Vietnam War.
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PHOTO DATE: 02-22-10LOCATION: Ellington, 990SUBJECT: STS-130 Crew Return, Ellington Field
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Educators with 1st Marine Corps District tour the Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224s, Marine Aircraft Group 31, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing hangar during an Educators Workshop at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, Feb. 7, 2024. The Educators Workshop is designed to inform school staff about the commitment and benefits of service in the U.S. Marine Corps. Marine Corps
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Col. Andrew J. Campbell, 374th Airlift Wing commander, addresses American Forces Network-Tokyo listeners for the last time before he relinquishes command of the 374th AW, Yokota Air Base, Japan, June 10, 2022. Campbell addressed the upcoming change of command on June 23, 2022, his love for the community and appreciation for the support he has seen through his multiple times in command of a unit at Yokota.
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010921-F-9244N-001. Base: Tucson State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: AZANG
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U.S. Army Col. Andrew Morgan, NASA astronaut and Army NASA Detachment commander, briefs 509th Bomb Wing B-2 Spirit pilots at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, June 7, 2022. Members of NASA were invited to participate in cross-organizational communications with members of the 509th BW, to learn how NASA and B-2 Spirit training overlap.
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070129-N-4776G-060. Base: USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)
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U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Amy Drew, a C-130H pilot and the C-130J conversion team project officer, assigned to the 165th Operations Group, 165th Airlift Wing (AW), Georgia Air National Guard, is interviewed by local media Jan. 24, 2024, in front of the 165 AWs brand new aircraft, a C-130J-30 Super Hercules, in Savannah, Georgia. She talked about the significance of the inaugural flight of the newest C-130J Super Hercules.
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North Dakota Adjutant General, Major General Keith D. Bjerke and his wife, Marion, pose in front of an F-51 Mustang, flown by the North Dakota Air National Guard (NDANG) from 1947 to 1954. The Mustang is part of the newly-created Heritage Memorial Park at the NDANG, Fargo, ND. On static display in the park are the seven aircraft the unit has flown since it was federally recognized Jan. 16, 1947. Base: Fargo State: North Dakota (ND) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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A beautiful blonde model poses with a vintage WWII aircraft
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U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. David Antonini, F-16 Viper Demonstration Team (VDT) dedicated crew chief, smiles for photo at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, April 13, 2022. The VDT travels to roughly 20 air shows across the United States each year where they engage with local media and members of the community in which they are performing.
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Portrait of man, pilot in military with jet and confident smile at airforce base with arms crossed in Korea. Freedom, transport and proud Asian soldier with airplane, confident and service in army.
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220809-N-AS200-4723 POINT MUGU, Calif. (Aug. 9, 2022) - Lt. Seth Waltlington, assigned to "Wallbangers" Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 117, is greeted by his family following a seven-month deployment to U.S. 3rd Fleet and 7th Fleet areas of operations with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9, embarked aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). CVW-9 deployed with a combination of fourth and fifth-generation platforms that predominantly represent the Airwing of the Future, executing more than 21,307 fixed-wing and helicopter flight hours comprising of 10,250 sorties, 8,437 launches and 8,487 aircraft arrestments.
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U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Noah Furbush, a pilot with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron (VMU) One, Marine Aircraft Group 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, poses in front of his squadrons sign on Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, Nov. 8, 2022. Furbush played football for the University of Michigan and joined the Marine Corps instead of pursuing a football career because he identified most with the Marine Corps ability to do more with less. Furbush was among the first group of pilots to train with the MQ-9 Reaper at VMU-1. The MQ-9 Reaper provides a wider array of capabilities than the previous platform and furthers the Marine Air-Ground Task Forces capabilities. Furbush is a native of Mt. Victory, Ohio.
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A graphic celebrating Women's History Month. (U.S Navy Graphic by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Rebekah Watkins)
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A view of the message on a sign aboard the base. The space shuttle Challenger exploded shortly after takeoff on January 28, 1986, killing all seven members of its crew. Base: Dover Air Force Base State: Delaware (DE) Country: United States Of America (USA)