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
Fighter Jet
262 assets in this story
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DF-ST-87-11667. Subject Operation/Series: WILLIAM TELL '86 Base: Tyndall Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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041220-F-3488S-019. Base: Eielson Air Force Base State: Alaska (AK) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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DN-ST-85-03258. Base: Nav Sup Activity, Diego Garcia Country: British Indian Ocean Territory (IOT)
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An F-22 Raptor assigned to the 3rd Wing flies over Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, in support of Polar Force 22-4, March 30, 2022. This is the first Polar Force to be led by the 3rd Wing, with the primary focus on developing Agile Combat Employment and the U.S. Pacific Air Forces ability to fight in a contested, anti-access area denial environment. Operationalizing readiness-enhancing concepts like ACE is critical to ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific.
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DF-ST-88-05642. Subject Operation/Series: CORNET PHASER Base: Canadian Forces Base, Lahr Country: West Germany (FRG)
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A U.S. Air Force KC-46 Pegasus conducts aerial operations in support of a Bomber Task Force mission with coalition and regional partners across the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Sept. 4, 2022. BTF missions demonstrate the U.S.s commitment to regional security and stability by showing how the U.S. will decisively respond to threats against the U.S., coalition and partner forces.
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041208-M-5607G-006. Base: Mcas Yuma State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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DF-ST-85-02450. Base: Peoria State: Illinois (IL) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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A C-130H Hercules assigned to Royal New Zealand Air Forces 40 Squadron, top center, and two United States Air Force MC-130J Commando IIs assigned to the 353rd Special Operations Wing conduct a low pass over Royal New Zealand Air Force Base Woodbourne, New Zealand, as part of a formation flight during exercise Teak Net 22, May 16, 2022. Dissimilar formation training hones each aircrew memberss ability to operate closely with different airframes, furthering the capabilities of both nations air forces.
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Frejus, France - 23 August 2021: Aerial view of a fighter jet, Frejus, France.
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An RQ-5 Hunter unmanned aerial vehicle
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Medium long shot. The Naval Aerial Demonstration Team, Blue Angels are refueled by a McGuire Air Force Base, KC-10A Extender. The mission of the Blue Angels is to enhance Navy recruiting. and credibly represent Navy and Marine Corps aviation to the U.S and it's Armed Forces to America and other countries as international ambassadors of good will. An estimated 15 million spectators view the squadron during air shows each year. Base: Mcguire Air Force Base State: New Jersey (NJ) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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230412-N-EL850-1268 STRAIT OF GIBRALTAR (April 12, 2023) An MH-60S Nighthawk helicopter, attached to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5, transits the Strait of Gibraltar, April 12, 2023. Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7 is the offensive air and strike component of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10 and the George H.W. Bush CSG. The squadrons of CVW-7 are Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 143, VFA-103, VFA-86, VFA-136, Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 121, Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 140, HSC-5, and Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 46. The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group 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.
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May 23, 2012 - Dust lights up the rotors of a CH-47 Chinook helicopter as paratroopers load for an air assault mission near Combat Outpost Ab Band, Ghazni province, Afghanistan.
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An air-to-air overhead view of four F-16A Fighting Falcon in a diamond formation. The aircraft are assigned to the 56th Tactical Training Wing, MacDill Air FOrce Base, Florida. Country: Unknown
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C-130 FARP equipment unload
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The Thunderbirds perform the Bottom Up Pass’ Oct. 18, 2014, during the Wings Over North Georgia Air Show in Rome, Ga. The Thunderbirds are the Air Force’s precision flying demonstration team, flying F-16 Fighting Falcons.
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A 210th Air Rescue Squadron (210th ARS), Air National Guard C-130 Hercules aircraft conducts an in flight refueling with a 71st Air Rescue Squadron (71st ARS) HH-3E Jolly Green Giant helicopter, left, and a 210th ARS MH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter, right. The 210th ARS will take over rescue missions when the 71st ARS is deactivated on June 1, 1991. Country: United States Of America(USA)
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Air Force fire trucks ceremoniously spray a C-130H3 Hercules to land at the 165th Airlift Wing in Savannah, Ga., Dec. 17, 2018, during Maj. Gen. Jesse Simmons final flight. Simmons and members of the Georgia Air National Guard were returning home after supporting the 50th Anniversary of the Argentine Air Force. The Georgia ANG established a state partnership with Argentina in 2016.
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HC-130P Refuels an HH-53. HC-130P Refuels an HH-53. "Southeast AsiaA U.S. Air Force HC-130P refuels an HH-53 helicopter of the 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, as two A-1s fly escort." Photographer: Staff Sgt. Andy Sarakon
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Su-27 jet fighter of the Russian Knights aerobatics team.
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MISAWA, Japan (May 13, 2022) - Twelve Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) F-35A Lightning IIs, two E-2C Hawkeyes, one CH47J Chinook, one U.S. Navy C-12 Huron, one EA-18G Growler, one P-8A Poseidon, and 16 U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons taxi into position during an "Elephant Walk" at Misawa Air Base. The Elephant Walk showcased Misawa Air Base's collective readiness and ability to generate combat airpower at a moment's notice to ensure regional stability throughout the Indo-Pacific.Naval Air Facility Misawa provides aviation and ground logistics support and services to all permanent and transient U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps forces in Northern Japan.
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PACIFIC OCEAN (Jan. 18, 2024) A C-2A Greyhound, assigned to the Rawhides of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40, lands on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), Jan. 18, 2024. Theodore Roosevelt, flagship of Carrier Strike Group Nine, is underway conducting routine operations in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations. An integral part of U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. 3rd Fleet operates naval forces in the Indo-Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary to execute the U.S. Navys role across the full spectrum of military operations - from combat operations to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. U.S. 3rd Fleet works together with our allies and partners to advance freedom of navigation, the rule of law, and other principles that underpin security for the Indo-Pacific region.
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DM-ST-86-08420. Base: Mcas, Cherry Point State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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031005-F-3175F-020. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Dyess Air Force Base State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: AMC
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U.S Air Force Airmen taxi an MQ-9 aircraft due to weather conditions at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Cali. August 18th, 2022. Cannon Air Force Base Airmen and 27th Special Operations Munitions Squadron achieved a significant milestone by having Munitions Systems Specialists team up with Armament System Specialists to perform munition preparation and loading actions for the MQ-9 and AGM-114 hellfire missiles.
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F-22 Raptors from the 3rd Wing and 477th Fighter Group participate in a close formation taxi, known as an Elephant walk, with an E-3 Sentry and a C-17 Globemaster III March 26, 2019, during a Polar Force exercise at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. This two-week exercise gives squadrons an opportunity to demonstrate their abilities to forward deploy and deliver overwhelming combat airpower.
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Mike Goulian, piloting his SR-22, performs aerobatics during the 2022 Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Air Show at MCAS Miramar, San Diego, California, Sept. 24, 2022. Goulian has been competing in aerobatic contests for over 30 years and is a recognized expert in aviation. The theme for the 2022 MCAS Miramar Air Show, Marines Fight, Evolve and Win, reflects the Marine Corps ongoing modernization efforts to prepare for future conflicts.
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The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron Thunderbirds perform the Delta Pass and Review over Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., during the 2010 Aviation Nation Nellis Open House Nov. 12. The open house is an opportunity for the Las Vegas community to view aerial demonstrations and static displays of various aircraft from the military. The open house also acts as the final air show of the year for the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds.
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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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Two U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft assigned to the 134th Fighter Squadron, 158th Fighter Wing, Vermont Air National Guard, photographed from a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft assigned to the 92nd Air Refueling Wing, currently operating out of Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, conducted low approach flyovers over the Baltic Sea region on, June 16, 2022. The two fighter jets are flying across the Baltic Sea region starting at Pirita Tee, Estonia, then Riga, Latvia, and finally Vilnius, Lithuania to demonstrate U.S. commitment and assurance to NATO Baltic Allies and partners.
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A helicopter crew member stands beside his UH-1N Iroquois helicopter as he watches a cloud of ash pour from Mount Pinatubo, a volcano that came alive for the first time in over 600 years. The eruption is causing the U.S. military to conduct Operation Fiery Vigil evacuation efforts over 20,000 military and civilian personnel and dependents. Subject Operation/Series: FIERY VIGIL Base: Clark Air Base State: Luzon Country: Philippines (PHL)
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U.S. Air Force maintainers from the 90th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron prepare an F-22 Raptor for takeoff to forward deploy and integrate with the Royal Norwegian Air Force, Sept. 13, 2022. The 90th EFS forward deployed to Ørland Main Air Station, Norway to execute ACE alongside Allies and partners to enhance partner force interoperability and increase domain awareness and survivability in an ever-evolving threat environment.
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DF-ST-88-02870. State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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U.S. Airmen unload cargo from a C-130J Hercules assigned to the 75th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron (75th EAS) in East Africa, March. 4, 2019. The 75th EAS supports Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) with medical evacuations, disaster relief, humanitarian and airdrop operations.
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A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey approaches the flight deck of the USS Boxer for a landing while being guided by a member of the flight crew Oct. 19, at San Diego.
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Members of the Philippine Marine Corps and U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 3d Marines exchange tactics and techniques with unmanned aerial systems during Balikatan 22 in Claveria, Philippines, March 31, 2022. Balikatan is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades shared experiences. Balikatan, Tagalog for shoulder-to-shoulder,’ is a longstanding bilateral exercise between the Philippines and the United States highlighting the deep-rooted partnership between both countries. Balikatan 22 is the 37th and largest-ever iteration of the exercise. BK22 coincides with the 75th anniversary of U.S.-Philippine security cooperation and a shared commitment to advancing peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
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U.S. Air Force Colonel Jason Nalepa, 173rd Fighter Wing Operations Group Commander, flies the 173rd FW "Heritage Jet" F-15 in formation with a B-17 Flying Fortress over Crater Lake during the Sentry Eagle Open House event June 24, 2022, near Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls, Oregon. This photo is particularly significant as it shows the airframe on which the unit's namesake, 2nd Lt. David R. Kingsley, perished during World War II.
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Spanish Brig Sailing Through A Storm
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Airman 1st Class Matthew Gerner, a crew chief assigned to the 388th Fighter Wing, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, prepares to launch out an F-15E Strike Eagle for a Red Flag-Nellis 22-3 mission at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, July 18, 2022. RF-N 22-3 provides realistic combat training that saves lives while increasing combat effectiveness.
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Fisheye View of Lake Qadisiyah, near Haditha, in Iraq's Al Anbar Province, from a USMC C-130J, During a Refueling Operation
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DF-ST-89-05290. Subject Operation/Series: DISTANT MARINER State: Hawaii (HI) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Ospreys from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 363, Marine Corp Base Hawaii, air inserts 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division opposing forces on Pohakuloa Training Grounds, Hawaii, Nov. 3, 2022. Bilateral and multilateral exercises strengthen relationships and enhance interoperability with allies and partners through shared experiences and tough, realistic training. We routinely invite and encourage allies and partners to participate in JPMRC rotations.
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One of 14 U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft with the 18th Aggressor Squadron takes off from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, shortly after sunrise Jan. 17, 2015, in transit to Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, and Andersen Air Force Base, Guam to participate in the SENTRY ALOHA and COPE NORTH exercises. More than 150 maintainers will keep the Aggressors in the air during the exercises, which are meant to prepare U.S. Airmen, Sailors and Marines along with coalition partners in the Pacific theater of operations for contingency operations if the need arises.
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A U. S. Navy C-130 Hercules aircraft flies past Gibraltar.. Country: Mediterranean Sea(MED)
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An A-10 Thunderbolt II, from the 124th Fighter Wing, Boise, Idaho, lands at Young Landing Zone on Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, June 13, 2022. The aircraft were participating in Agile Rage 2022 and performing austere landings in support of hub and spoke operations as part of the agile combat employment concept of operations.
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A MC-130 Combat Shadow tanker and two HH-60G Pavehawk helicopters from the 129th Rescue Wing fly in formation over San Francisco, California. The mission of the 129th is to train and be prepared to perform its wartime mission of combat search and rescue anywhere in the world. Its personnel and aircraft locate and recover aircrew and non-aircrew personnel from both enemy-held and friendly territory and seas. In addition, the 129th provides manpower, materiel and equipment to conduct peacetime search and rescue operations in the Pacific Ocean and off the coast of California, and is one of only three Rescue Wings in the Air National Guard. The 129th has saved 292 lives since 1975, and six so.... Complete Scene Caption: A MC-130 Combat Shadow tanker and two HH-60G Pavehawk helicopters from the 129th Rescue Wing fly in formation over San Francisco, California. The mission of the 129th is to train and be prepared to perform its wartime mission of combat search and rescue anywhere in the wo
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120319-N-GZ832-185ARABIAN SEA (March 19, 2012) The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) passes through a sand storm. Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.
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An aircrew prepares a Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey aircraft for take-off July 13, 2022, at Sparta-Fort McCoy Airport at Fort McCoy, Wis. In a rare training event at Fort McCoy, aircrew with the Marine Corps Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 162 of Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C., flew a pair of MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft July 12-14 at the installation for aerial gunnery training at the impact area on North Post.
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An American A-10 Thunderbolt using abandoned tanks as target practice.
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DF-ST-86-11795. Country: West Germany (FRG)
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The 107th Arlift Wing and 914th Airlift Wing training together for a recruiting photo oportunity over the falls.