Military Air Operations

Dynamic aerial shots feature various military aircraft in formations and refueling operations. The scenes convey power and coordination among branches, enhancing combat readiness.

Fighter Jet

ATLANTIC OCEAN (June 15, 2018) An AV-8B Harrier lands on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3). Kearsarge is underway conducting routine certifications to maintain unit readiness.

040521-F-2295B-018. Base: Langley Air Force Base State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft, assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121, depart after in-flight refueling over the Pacific Ocean, Japan, Sept. 9, 2022. The U.S. can operate from the sanctuary of bases across the Indo-Pacific region, increasing interoperability and lethality.

Dropping a Rocket Out of a C-17 Globemaster

A C-17 Globemaster III is prepared for a flying operation at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, April 20, 2022. The inherent flexibility and performance of the C-17 force improve the ability of the total airlift system to fulfill the worldwide air mobility requirements of the United States.

OH-58 Kiowa, AH-64 Apache, UH-60 Black Hawk, UH-1 Iroquois and CH-47 Chinook helicopters conduct a flyover during the National Victory Celebration which is being held in honor of the Allied forces' liberation of Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Base: Washington State: District Of Columbia (DC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An F-16C Fighting Falcon assigned to the U.S. Air Force Weapons School is piloted by Maj. Douglas Mayo, 64th Aggressor Squadron instructor pilot, during a training mission Sept. 22, 2022, over the Nevada Test and Training Range, Nevada. The Aggressor program began in the fall of 1972 with the activation of the 64th Aggressor Squadron. This program started as a direct result of the high air combat loss rate experienced in the Vietnam War.

040521-F-2295B-015. Base: Langley Air Force Base State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

A B-17 Flying Fortress being attacked by a German Me-262 fighter plane.

X-45A first GPS-guided weapon demonstration - weapon release

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer assigned to the 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 50th Air Refueling Squadron, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, during a Bomber Task Force mission over the Pacific Ocean, Feb. 17, 2023. Bomber Task Force missions support the National Defense Strategy objectives of integrated deterrence and building enduring advantages, enabling strategic bombers to operate forward from a broad array of overseas and continental U.S. locations with greater operational resilience. The 50th ARS and the 909th ARS refueled four B-1B Lancers during this Bomber Task Force mission, including those that participated in the Aero India 2023 aerospace exhibition.

4191-V111112091

U.S. Air Force maintainers from the 90th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron standby as two F-22 Raptors complete training at Łask Air Base, Poland, Sept. 5, 2022. The 90th EFS forward deployed to support NATOs Air Shielding mission. The 90ths presence in the region strengthens U.S. and NATOs unity each day as forces come together to train and deter in an ever-evolving threat environment.

DN-SC-87-10787. Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

An HC-130J Combat King II conducts an aerial refueling with two UH-60 Black Hawks during exercise Angel Thunder 2013, April 11, 2013, near Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. The HC-130J is the only dedicated fixed-wing Personnel Recovery platform in the Air Force inventory. The HC-130J is assigned to the 79th Rescue Squadron at Davis-Monthan AFB, and the Black Hawks are assigned to the 41st Rescue Squadron at Moody AFB, Ga.

A nighttime view of an F-15 Eagle aircraft from the 12th Tactical Fighter Squadron as a security policeman stands guard on the flight line. Base: Naval Air Facility, Misawa State: Aomori Country: Japan (JPN)

CAPT. Tony Grecio of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 264 (HMM-264) relaxes by his CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter at the Allied military compound. Allied forces in the area are taking part in Operation Provide Comfort efforts to aid Kurdish refugees who fled the forces of Saddam Hussein in northern Iraq. Subject Operation/Series: PROVIDE COMFORT Base: Zakhu Country: Iraq(IRQ)

A U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry, assigned to the 968th Expeditionary Airborne Air Control Squadron, lands at Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Sept. 23, 2022. This was the 968th EAACS last sortie in AFCENTs area of responsibility until reactivation. The 968th EAACSs inactivation ceremony was held on Sept. 29, 2022. The Panthers accomplished their mission but will be back again when needed.

031018-F-3356N-013. Base: Nellis Air Force Base State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

An air-to-air view looking down, of two F-15 Eagle aircraft in flight behind a West German RF-4 Phantom II aircraft during Reforger-Crested Cap II. Subject Operation/Series: REFORGERCRESTED CAP II Country: Unknown

A view of F-14A Tomcat aircraft parked on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS FORRESTAL (CV-59) during exercise Team Work '88. Subject Operation/Series: TEAM WORK '88 Country: North Atlantic Ocean

Staff Sgt. Christopher Bankston, 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron loadmaster, watches as air delivery cargo from a C-17 Globemaster III is released over the skies of Afghanistan. The C-17 aircrew air delivered the cargo which consisted of fuel and other various supplies to a remote forward operating base in Afghanistan. Sergeant Bankston is deployed from the 7th Airlift Squadron, McChord AFB, Wash.

A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III assigned to the 437th Airlift Wing, stationed at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, flies above Missouri, Nov. 30, 2022. Airmen assigned to the 437th AW departed Joint Base Charleston to conduct off-station training in the U.S. Northern Command and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibilities to hone global reach and readiness capabilities.

DN-SC-87-04456. Country: Unknown

DF-ST-89-06280. Base: Beale Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A right rear view of an A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft from the 174th Tactical Fighter Wing. State: New York (NY) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A Navy E-6A Mercury, an airborne communications platform, from Strategic Command Wing One, Tinker AFB approaches the refueling boom of an USAF KC-135 tanker for a mid-air refueling during the exerciseGLOBAL GUARDIAN '98. Subject Operation/Series: GLOBAL GUARDIAN '98 Base: Tinker Air Force Base State: Oklahoma (OK) Country: United States Of America (USA)

040521-F-9032T-004. Base: RAF Lakenheath State: East Anglia Country: England / Great Britain (ENG) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

A member of the 20th Special Operations Squadron hoses down an MC-130 Combat Talon aircraft during JAGUAR BITE '89, a joint Army-Air Force exercise conducted by the US Special Operations Command. Subject Operation/Series: JAGUAR BITE '89 State: Montana (MT) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Artwork: "Riding An Up Draft". Artist: Bill Yenne. (US Air Force Art Collection). Country: Unknown

Handley Page Hampden Mk I of No.455 Squadron RAAF, based at Leuchars in Scotland, May 1942.

Air Force Reserve air transportation specialists assigned to the 67th Aerial Port Squadron out of Hill Air Force Base, Utah, prepare to offload cargo from a C-5 Galaxy at Jorge Chávez International Airport during Resolute Sentinel 23 in Lima, Peru, June 27, 2023. Resolute Sentinel improves readiness of U.S. and partner nation military and interagency personnel through joint defense interoperability training, engineering projects and knowledge exchanges.

DN-SC-89-10802. State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A US Navy F-14 "Tomcat" aircraft, from Fighter Squadron 213 (VF-213), afterburners aglow, after being launched from the flight deck of the US Navy aircraft carrier USS KITTY HAWK (CV 63). The Kitty Hawk is on a six-month deployment to the Western Pacific and Arabian Sea. A US Navy F-14 "Tomcat" aircraft, from Fighter Squadron 213 (VF-213), afterburners aglow, after being launched from the flight deck of the US Navy aircraft carrier USS KITTY HAWK (CV 63). The Kitty Hawk is on a six-month deployment to the Western Pacific and Arabian Sea.

A Talos surface-to-air guided missile heads downrange after being launched from the guided missile cruiser USS OKLAHOMA CITY (CG 5) at the Pacific Missile Test Range. This is the final firing of the Talos missile by the United States Navy. (Third view in a series of five). Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft from the 353rd Tactical Fighter Squadron, Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, South Carolina, in flight over the Alaskan terrain and around Mt. McKinley. The A-10's are participating in Brim Frost '81. Subject Operation/Series: BRIM FROST '81 Base: Eielson Air Force Base State: Alaska (AK) Country: United States Of America (USA)

While no longer on nuclear alert, B-52 Stratofortresses still sit ready for more conventional roles on the frozen Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, flight line. Base: Minot Air Force Base State: North Dakota (ND) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Boom operator's view of a KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft refueling a 384th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft. (SUBSTANDARD IMAGE). Country: Unknown

A U.S. Air Force A-10C Thunderbolt II, F-35A Lightning II and P-51 Mustang fly in a heritage flight formation over Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, March 24, 2023. Heritage Flights are flown with current and former U.S. Air Force aircraft that pay tribute to Airmen, past and present, for their service and dedication to ensuring national security.

230210-N-MH057-1260 EL CENTRO, Calif. (Feb. 10, 2023) The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, transit the flight-line prior to a training flight at 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.

The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron "Thunderbirds" pilots perform during Montana's Military Open House "Flight over the Falls" at Montana Air National Guard Base, Great Falls, Montana, July 22, 2022. The Thunderbirds are the U.S. Air Force's premier air demonstration squadron.

DF-SC-89-11327. Base: Unknown

C-17 Globemaster III US Air Force

040521-F-2295B-013. Base: Langley Air Force Base State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

The V-22 Osprey Prepares to Launch

Left rear view of a C-130E Hercules aircraft airdropping petroleum, oil and lubricants containers in the Fram II drop zone. The aircraft is assigned to the 40th Tactical Airlift Squadron, involved in exercise East Arctic '80. Subject Operation/Series: EAST ARCTIC '80 Base: Thule Country: Greenland (GRL)

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- Bright lights at KSC's Shuttle Landing Facility runway 15 illuminate the landing of Space Shuttle Discovery, which completes the 9-day, 19-hour, 13-minute and 1-second long STS-96 mission. A contrail streams from the wing. Main gear touchdown was at 2:02:43 a.m. EDT June 6 , landing on orbit 154 of the mission. Nose gear touchdown was at 2:02:59 a.m., and the wheels stopped at 2:03:39 a.m. At the controls were Commander Kent V. Rominger and Pilot Rick D. Husband. Also onboard the orbiter were Mission Specialists Ellen Ochoa (Ph.D.), Tamara E. Jernigan (Ph.D.), Daniel T. Barry (M.D., Ph.D.), Julie Payette and Valery Ivanovich Tokarev. Payette represents the Canadian Space Agency and Tokarev the Russian Space Agency. The crew returned from the second flight to the International Space Station on a logistics and resupply mission. This was the 94th flight in the Space Shuttle program and the 26th for Discovery, also marking the 47th at KSC, the 24th in the last

A C-130 Hercules aircraft releases three pallets containing c-rations over the German village of Neukirchen, for Army troops in the field during Exercise Reforger '81. Subject Operation/Series: REFORGER '81 Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)

Silhouetted CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters fly over a dock landing ship, as Marines from the 22nd Marine Amphibious Unit redeploy from the city at the conclusion of their participation in a multinational peacekeeping operation. Base: Beirut Country: Lebanon (LBN)

The sun sets on an AV-8B Harrier aircraft from Marine Light Attack Squadron 513 (VMA-513) parked under a net on a portable runway during Operation Comfort. Subject Operation/Series: COMFORT Base: Twentynine Palms State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

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

Ukrainian wounded warrior athletes arrive on the flightline at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, Aug. 17, 2022. More than 60 Ukrainian athletes, families, coaches, caregivers, and staff traveled to MacDill AFB en route to Orlando where theyll compete in the 2022 Department of Defense Warrior Games held at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, August 19 to 28. The Warrior Games consists of nearly 300 wounded, ill, and injured active duty service members and veterans who will participate in a series of adaptive sporting events and represent the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Special Operations Command. The DOD Warrior Games is a celebration of not only U.S. service members, but those of international teams. Warrior athletes from Canada and Ukraine will compete in this year's events.

Two Attack Squadron 72 (VA-72) A-7E Corsair II aircraft are silhouetted against the sunset during a mission off the coast of Florida. Country: Unknown

U.S. Air Force T-38A Talons assigned to the 2d Fighter Training Squadron and F-35A Lightning IIs assigned to the 61st Fighter Squadron taxi for takeoff at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, Sept 12, 2022. Both units traveled cross-country for temporary duty with the focus of training F-35A student pilots on air-to-air combat.

A B-17 Flying Fortress aircraft flies during a reenactment of World War II battles. The event is being staged by a Confederate Air Force, a private historical organization that restores and preserves World War II-era aircraft. The reenactment is part of the Air Force Association's Gathering of Eagles '86, an international aerospace event celebrating the anniversaries of the Strategic Air Command, Tactical Air Command and the independent Air Force Association. State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Four RF-4C Phantom II aircraft from the 152nd Tactical Reconnaissance Group, Nevada Air National Guard, fly in formation over a mountain range. State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

San Diego, February 15, 2006 - USS Asheville (SSN-758), gets underway in preparation of conducting high-speed surface drills off the coast of Southern California.

An F-22 Raptor assigned to the 90th Fighter Squadron, 3rd Wing, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska lands at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, July 26, 2022.The Air Forces newest fighter aircraft, the F-22 Raptor has arrived at RAF Lakenheath, England, in route to the 32nd Tactical Air Base, Łask, Poland, to support NATO Air Shielding in the European Theater.

An advanced medium range air-to-air missile (AMRAAM) after its launch from an F-14A Tomcat aircraft, near the Pacific Missile Test Center (PMTC), Point Mugu, California. Country: Unknown

PHILIPPINE SEA (June 4, 2022) An F/A-18F Super Hornet, assigned to the "Black Aces" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41, prepares to make an arrested landing on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Abraham Lincoln Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability through alliances and partnerships while serving as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

An F-15C Eagle aircraft from the 22nd Tactical Fighter Squadron returns to RAF Alconbury following a mission during Exercise Red Star '87. The annual exercise, which is hosted by the 527th Aggressor Squadron, employs F-5 Tiger II aircraft and F-111 aircraft to simulate Soviet formations and tactics, thereby providing realistic training for U.S. Air Force F-15 Eagle aircraft pilots. Subject Operation/Series: RED STAR '87 Base: Raf Alconburg Country: England / Great Britain (ENG)

U. S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft from the 124th Fighter Wing, Gowen Field Air National Guard Base, Boise, Idaho, take off during Agile Combat Employment (ACE) training at Agile Rage 22, Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, Mich., June 13, 2022. ACE is not a specific mission, but a universal application to all combat air force operations. ACE is the ability to project combat power anytime, anywhere, while remaining operationally unpredictable to complicate an adversary's decision making process.

4 Chinese Nanchang CJ-6 military trainers in formation flight over Porterville, CA.

011027-N-6536T-008. Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

General Dynamics F-16A of 323 Squadron while practicing evening and night flights at Leeuwarden airbase.

DF-SC-85-07644. Country: Unknown

220626-N-XN177-2004 PHILIPPINE SEA (June 26, 2022) - An MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 262 prepares to take off from amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli (LHA 7), June 26, 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.

An air-to-air right side view of a Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 139 (VAQ-139) EA-68 Prowler aircraft near Naval Air Station, Fallon, during training operations. State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

The Air Force Air Demonstration Team Thunderbirds fly their F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft in a four-ship Trail formation. State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command stages on a hasty landing zone during a tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel drill at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, Nov. 16, 2015.

Koenigstein Fortress

An air-to-air view of a multinational group of fighter jets, including, left to right, a Qatari F-1 Mirage, a French F-1C Mirage, a U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon from the 401st Tactical Fighter Wing, a Canadian CF/A-18A Hornet and a Qatari Alpha Jet, during Operation Desert Shield.. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Unknown

The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, known as the Thunderbirds, perform at their final show of the 2022 season, Aviation Nation, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Nov. 3, 2022. Since 1953, the Thunderbirds team has served as Americas premier air demonstration squadron, entrusted with the vital mission to recruit, retain and inspire past, present and future Airmen.

221005-N-LI114-2106 SEA OF JAPAN (Oct. 5, 2022) An F/A-18F Super Hornet, attached to the Diamondbacks of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 102, descends for a landing on the flight deck of the U.S. Navys only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), in the Sea of Japan, Oct. 5. The Diamondbacks conduct carrier-based air strikes and strike force escort missions, as well as ship, battle group, and intelligence collection operations. 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.

A Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft receives fuel over the North Sea from a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft assigned to the 100th Air Refueling Wing during exercise Cobra Warrior 22, Sept. 21, 2022. Cobra Warrior develops the tactical interoperability skills of participating U.S. Airmen, allies and partners within a composite air operation environment.

A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 taxis at Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Australia, Aug. 15, 2022. Marines with Marine Aircraft Group 12 are conducting unit level training in Australia to maintain readiness, test expeditionary capabilities, and increase interoperability with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific.

The Integrator, an unmanned aerial system, awaits take off for its mission during Project Conversion 2022 at Camp Pendleton, California Oct. 5, 2022. During PC22 many systems will be tested to determine how future command and control capabilities can be integrated with joint and multi-national partners.

DF-ST-85-09917. Base: Rhein-Main Air Base Country: Federal Republic Of Germany (FRG)

The running lights mark the path of an aircraft landing at night on the aircraft carrier USS SARATOGA (CV-60). Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

DF-ST-87-13321. Subject Operation/Series: TEAM SPIRIT '85 Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

U.S. Air Force aircraft span 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 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.

ATLANTIC OCEAN (May 14, 2013) Northrop Grumman personnel conduct pre-operational tests on an X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). George H.W. Bush is scheduled to be the first aircraft carrier to catapult launch an unmanned aircraft from its flight deck.

A F-5E Tiger II jet fighter of the Swiss Air Force releasing flares, Axalp, Switzerland.

DF-ST-86-11200. Base: Edwards Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

As they pass a Marine KC-130/R, Sergeant Joseph Cook, USMC, Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron-252 (VMGR-252), Powerline Mechanic watches the road from atop an M1043 High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) while checking out the flightline at a forward operating airbase in the ENDURING FREEDOM area. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Country: Unknown Scene Major Command Shown: VMGR-252

MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII (July 6, 2022) - A U.S. Air Force MQ-9 Reaper, assigned to the 49th Wing, lands at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022. Unmanned and remotely operated vessels extend the capability of interconnected manned platform sensors to enhance capacity across the multinational force. Twenty-six nations, 38 ships, four submarines, more than 170 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 29 to Aug. 4 in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2022 is the 28th exercise in the series that began in 1971.

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer assigned to the 37th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, prepares to land at Andersen AFB, Guam, for a Bomber Task Force mission, Oct. 18, 2022. The Lancers blended wing/body configuration, variable-geometry wings and turbofan afterburning engines combine to provide long range maneuverability and high speed while enhancing survivability.

U.S. Airmen assigned to the 3rd Wing conduct a foreign object and debris walk at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, June 3, 2022. The Airmen conducted the FOD walk to remove debris that could potentially damage aircraft and hinder mission readiness.

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