Military Aircraft Formation

Various military aircraft in formation and aerial maneuvers, highlighting military tactics and flight operations.

U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) F-5E Tiger II and Test and Evaluation Squadron FOUR (VX-4) F-4 Phantom II during a tactics development flight near NAS Fallon, Nevada.

U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) F-5E Tiger II and Test and Evaluation Squadron FOUR (VX-4) F-4 Phantom II during a tactics development flight near NAS Fallon, Nevada.

Four F-15E Eagle aircraft armed with AIM -9 Sidewinder missiles line up behind a KC-10A Extender aircraft as they prepare for aerial refueling near Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. The aircraft are assigned to the 4th Wing, formed by the merger of the 68th Aerial Refueling Squadron and the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing. State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-ST-89-06353. Subject Operation/Series: COPE NORTH 88-3 Country: Japan (JPN)

An air-to-air right side view of a US Air Force F-111 aircraft followed by two Republic of Korea Air Force F-4E aircraft. Country: Unknown

AN air-to-air left side view of a KC-10A Extender aircraft refueling a C-5A Galaxy aircraft above the clouds as an F-4 Phantom II aircraft acts as a chase plane. Country: Unknown

DF-ST-83-07404. Subject Operation/Series: REFORGERCORONET MUSKET Country: Unknown

DN-ST-95-01286. Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

Two U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 510th Fighter Squadron, Aviano AB, Italy, fly with a German MiG-29A on a training exercise. Base: Decimomannu State: Sardinia Country: Italy (ITA)

DN-ST-88-04026. Country: Unknown

An F/A-18 Hornet aircraft armed with an AGM-88 High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM) is refueled in flight during Exercise Gallant Eagle '88. Subject Operation/Series: GALLANT EAGLE '88 Country: Unknown

An air-to-air left underside view of three 10th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-16C Eagle aircraft, loaded with BDU-33 practice bombs, en route to a target range in Spain. Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)

DF-ST-85-01778. Country: Unknown

An air-to-air front view of a two 495th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-111F aircraft flying a mission out of Moron Air Base, Spain, during Open Gate '89. Open Gate is a Joint Chiefs of STAFF/NATO Exercise designed to simulate air and sea power tactics required to keep the Straits of Gibraltar open during a crisis. Subject Operation/Series: OPEN GATE '89 Country: Unknown

DN-SC-87-02818. Country: Unknown

An air-to-air right side view of a Fighter Squadron 32 (VF-32) F-14A Tomcat aircraft and a Fighter Squadron 14 (VF-14) F-14A Tomcat aircraft on patrol during Exercise Deterrent Force 2/90, a part of Operation Desert Shield. Both planes are attached to Carrier Air Wing Three, embarked on the aircraft carrier USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67). Subject Operation/Series: DETERRENT FORCE 2/90DESERT SHIELD Country: Unknown

DN-ST-87-09070. Country: Unknown

An air-to-air left side view of three Attack Squadron 34 (VA-34) A-6E Intruder aircraft flying in formation. Country: Eastern Mediterranean Sea

Four F-16C, Fighting Falcon Block 52 aircraft's from the 157th Fighter Squadron, 169th Fighter Wing, McEntire Air National Guard Station, South Carolina, flying in formation. Country: Unknown

Two 335th Tactical Fighter Squadron (335th TFS)F-4E Phantom II aircraft break away from formation as they fly with a pair of F-15E Eagle aircraft of the 336th Tactical Fighter Squadron (TFS). The 335th TFS is also making the conversion from the Phantom to the F-15E. State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-ST-87-11640. Subject Operation/Series: WILLIAM TELL '86 Country: West Germany (FRG)

DF-ST-88-04629. Base: Southern State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An air-to-air left underside view of four F-4E Phantom II aircraft from the 51st Tactical Fighter Wing, 36th Tactical Fighter Squadron, in formation during the joint US/South Korean Exercise TEAM SPIRIT '84. The aircraft are equipped with AN/ALQ-119 electronic countermeasures pods and Sidewinder (AIM-9) missiles. Subject Operation/Series: TEAM SPIRIT '84 Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

DF-SC-88-08411. Country: Unknown

DF-ST-91-05452. State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A French Air Force Mirage 2000C drops away from a United States Air Force KC-135R Stratotanker (not shown) after refueling during a Combat Patrol mission while participating in NATO Operation Allied Force. The KC-135R is based at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England but is being flown by a crew deployed from the 384th Air Refueling Squadron, McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. Tankers from RAF Mildenhall make-up a large portion of the tanker forces supporting NATO aircraft during NATO Operation Allied Force. Subject Operation/Series: ALLIED FORCE Country: Unknown

DF-SC-87-01108. Country: Unknown

An air-to-air right underside view of two A-7 Corsair aircraft assigned to Light Attack Squadron 72 (VA-72) on the aircraft carrier USS AMERICA (CV 66). Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

View of the bottom of an F-5 Tiger II aircraft as the jet banks to the right over a range. One AIM-9J Sidewinder missile is on each wing tip. The aircraft is assigned to the 57th Fighter Weapons Wing. Base: Nellis Air Force Base State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-SD-07-25432. Base: Unknown

A Fighter Squadron 33 (VF-33) F-14A Tomcat aircraft banks into a turn as it heads for a landing aboard the aircraft carrier USS AMERICA (CV 66) during Operation Desert Shield.. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Mediterranean Sea(MED)

960914-F-0681L-020. State: North Dakota (ND) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An air-to-air front view of three F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft as they approach to refuel from a tanker aircraft. Country: Unknown

030702-F-7709A-001. State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

DF-ST-88-08310. State: Utah (UT) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-ST-87-07033. Base: Newport News State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An air-to-air right side view of a Royal Australian Air Force CA-29 Mirage aircraft as it banks to the left during the Cope Thunder exercise. Subject Operation/Series: COPE THUNDER Base: Clark Air Base State: Luzon Country: Philippines (PHL)

DF-ST-87-11933. Subject Operation/Series: PHOTO FINISH '85 State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An air-to-air right side view of a Fighter Squadron 111 (VF-111) F-14A Tomcat aircraft firing an AIM-54 Phoenix missile. (Second view in a series of five). Country: Unknown

F-16s from the U.S. Air Force Fighter Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nevada fly in formation over the skies above the ranges north of Nellis after flying a training mission during the extensive course. Country: Unknown

An air-to-air left side view of two Air Anti-submarine Squadron 24 (VS-24) S-3A Viking aircraft. Country: Unknown

CPT Jay L. Johnson, commander, Carrier Air Wing 1 (CVW-1), checks out the landing gear of an F/A-18C Hornet aircraft during Carrier Air Wing 1 (CVW-1) strike training. Base: Naval Air Station, Fallon State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An air-to-air left front view of an A-7D Corsair II aircraft of the 137th Tactical Fighter Wing during Exercise Amalgam Brave '87, an air defense training exercise. The aircraft is armed with an AIM-9 Sidewinder missile on the fuselage and an AN/ALQ-131 electronic countermeasures pod on the left wing. Subject Operation/Series: AMALGAM BRAVE '87 Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-ST-88-04702. Base: Hill Air Force Base State: Utah (UT) Country: United States Of America (USA)

AN air-to-air front view of a B-1 aircraft with its new camouflage paint scheme. Base: Edwards Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

020228-F-2341K-006. Subject Operation/Series: NOBLE EAGLE Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-ST-89-04212. Country: England / Great Britain (ENG)

DF-ST-88-02663. Base: George Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

010810-F-7910D-041. Base: Buckley Air Force Base State: Colorado (CO) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: Air National Guard

DN-SC-89-09044. Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

Italian Air Force EF-2000 Typhoon jets training with AMX Ghibli aircraft.

An F-14A Tomcat aircraft refuels from a U.S. Air Force KC-10A Extender aircraft as other Tomcats fly in formation, during Operation Desert Storm. Squadrons represented by the aircraft are, from foreground: Fighter Squadron 33 (VF-33), Fighter Squadron 84 (VF-84) and Fighter Squadron 14 (VF-14).

DF-ST-86-12767. State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Two Fighter Squadron 32 (VF-32) F-14A Tomcat aircraft fly through the clouds as they return to the aircraft carrier USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV 67) at the end of FLEET EX 90. Subject Operation/Series: FLEET EX 90 Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

DF-ST-89-05850. Base: George Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An air-to-air right side view of a 509th Bombardment Wing FB-111A aircraft during a training exercise. The planes are armed with Mark 82 high drag practice bombs. Country: Unknown

An air-to-air right side view of a Fleet Composite Squadron 5 (VC-5) A-4E Skyhawk aircraft taking part in exercise THALAY THAI '89. Subject Operation/Series: THALAY THAI '89 Country: Thailand (THA)

DN-SN-89-01230. Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

DF-ST-85-12014. Subject Operation/Series: GALLANT EAGLE 84 Country: Unknown

An air-to-air right side view of two F-4E Phantom II aircraft assigned to the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing during the joint ROK/US training exercise TEAM SPIRIT '79. Subject Operation/Series: TEAM SPIRIT '79 Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

DF-ST-89-05858. Base: George Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-ST-88-04630. Base: Southern State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An air-to-air left underside view of three F-15 Eagle aircraft assigned to the 18th Tactical Fighter Wing, and two RF-4C Phantom II aircraft assigned to the 15th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron. Both units are from Kadena Air Base, Japan. Country: Unknown

An air-to-air right side view of four A-6A Intruder aircraft in echelon formation. The aircraft are assigned to Marine All-Weather Medium Attack Squadron 242 (VMA(AW)-242). Country: Unknown

U.S. Air Force Capt. Brave, left, 77th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron F-16 pilot, and Royal Netherlands Air Force Maj. Turbo Scherders, right, 77th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron director of operations, fly in formation over an undisclosed location within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Dec. 2, 2022. As part of the Foreign Exchange Officer (FEO) program, the Dutch instructor pilot is flying with the Gamblers in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, ensuring regional security and strengthening partnerships with NATO allies.

Air to air left side view of three United States Air Force Europe (USAFE) Phantom fighters in a right turn. In the foreground is an F-4E carring six MK-82 bombs, four AIM-9 air to air missiles, three AIM-7 missiles and an ECM pod. The F-4G in the lead is carrying six MK-82 bombs, four AIM-9 air to air missiles, three AIM-7 missiles and ECM pod. In the background another F-4E carries two AGM A/6, three AIM 7 missiles and ECM pod. The aircraft, flying over German countryside, are assigned to the 52nd Tactical Fighter Wing, Spangdalhem Air Base, Germany. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Country: Unknown

DF-ST-88-04699. Base: Hill Air Force Base State: Utah (UT) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An air-to-air right side view of a Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 140 (VAQ-140) EA-6B Prowler aircraft, foreground, and an A-6E Intruder aircraft over the Persian Gulf. Country: Unknown

An air-to-air front view of a B-1B aircraft during Exercise Distant Mariner. Subject Operation/Series: DISTANT MARINER Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

A left rear view of two F-16A Fighting Falcon aircraft during deployment to Kunsan Air Base, Korea. The aircraft are from the 35th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 8th Tactical Fighter Wing. Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

An F-39E Gripen of the Brazilian Air Force in flight with an F-5EM.

An air-to-air front view of a B-1B aircraft during Exercise Distant Mariner. Subject Operation/Series: DISTANT MARINER Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

Four F-15 Eagles from the 67th Fighter Squadron in Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, fly in formation over the Pacific Ocean during a training mission.

AN air-to-air right side view of an A-7D Corsair II aircraft releasing Mark 82 high-drag bombs over a range. The aircraft is assigned to the 76th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 23rd Tactical Fighter Wing. Base: Nellis Air Force Base State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An air-to-air left side view of an F-15C Eagle aircraft, an A-10A Thunderbolt II aircraft armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, and an F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles. The 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron aircraft are. State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft refuels an A-6E Intruder aircraft as Fighter Squadron 142 (VF-142) F-14A Tomcat aircraft await refueling while flying in formation over the Persian Gulf. Country: Unknown

An air-to-air top view of a C-141B Starlifter aircraft, from the boom operator's section of a KC-10A Extender aircraft, after release from the tanker aircraft over mountains. Country: Unknown

DN-SC-87-11053. Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

Capt. Jared White, an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot from the 421st Fighter Squadron, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, receives fuel from a Utah National Guard KC-135 tanker en route to San Diego, Calif., Jan. 18, 2013. A cadre of Hill-based 388th Fighter Wing pilots will be operating out of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar to provide close air support for the U.S Marine Corps Integrated Training Exercise (ITX) 13-1 formerly known as Mojave Viper. This joint training operation, executed at 29 Palms, prepares Marine battalions for deployment to Afghanistan. (USAF

Aerial formation from right to left, F-16CJ Fighting Falcon, 20th Fighter Wing (FW) Shaw Air Force Base (AFB), South Carolina; F-15E Strike Eagle, 4th FW Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina; and F-16CJ Fighting Falcon, 27th FW, Cannon AFB, New Mexico during the 4th Aerospace Expeditionary Wing (AEW) in Doha, Qatar. The AEW was in country in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH. SOUTHERN WATCH enforces the United Nations Security Council Resolution 688 that establishes a no-fly zone over Southern Iraq below the 32nd parallel. The missiles seen on the Shaw (SW) AFB F-16 from wing tip in are the AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missile (AMRAAM), AIM-9 Sidewinder, and the AGM-88 HARM.... Complete Scene Caption: Aerial formation from right to left, F-16CJ Fighting Falcon, 20th Fighter Wing (FW) Shaw Air Force Base (AFB), South Carolina; F-15E Strike Eagle, 4th FW Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina; and F-16CJ Fighting Falcon, 27th FW, Cannon AFB, New Mexico during the 4th Aerospac

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Falcon from the South Dakota Air National Guards 114th Fighter Wing flys behind a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker from the Iowa Air National Guards 185thAir Refueling Wing over Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota on June 27, 2023. The aircraft are part of a nationwide aerial refueling demonstration, commemorating the 100thanniversary of air refueling.

DN-SC-89-02483. State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

F-14s and F/A-18s refuel from a KC-10 during Operation Southern Watch.

An air-to-air right side view of a 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing RF-4C Phantom II aircraft over western Texas. The wing is competing in Reconnaissance Air Meet '86. Subject Operation/Series: RECONNAISSANCE AIR MEET '86 Base: Bergstrom Air Force Base State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

French Air Force Dassault Mirage Aircraft in Formation. French Air Force Dassault Mirage Aircraft in Formation. "Four French air force Dassault Mirage aircraft fly in formation over Bitburg Air Base, Germany, during "Exercise Bold Stand 70." Photographer: Staff Sgt. Robert C. Leach

A trio of Royal Canadian Air Force CT-155 Hawk training jets break for the camera..

030514-F-7709A-007. Country: Gulf Of Mexico Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

An air-to-air right side view of an F-15A Eagle aircraft in a vertical dive during exercise SIDEWINDER II. The aircraft is assigned to the 71st Tactical Fighter Squadron, 1ST Tactical Fighter Wing. Subject Operation/Series: SIDEWINDER II Base: Amsterdam Country: Holland / Netherlands (HOL)

040109-N-3799S-003. Country: Unknown

MOROCCO - A Moroccan F-5 jet pilot inserts his planes refueling probe into the port side paradrogue basket of a U.S. Marine Corps KC-130 aircraft during an aerial refueling mission here June 4.

DF-ST-89-02068. Base: George Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-ST-86-12818. Base: Elmendorf Air Force Base State: Alaska (AK) Country: United States Of America (USA)

The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Team Thunderbirds perform a photo chase mission over Navy Air Facility El Centro, Cali., February 26, 2024. The photo chase mission was flown during a low show practice. Air Force

An air-to-air left side view of two Japanese Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) F-4EJ Phantom II aircraft and a United States Air Force (USAF) F-15 Eagle aircraft in formation during the joint JASDF and USAF exercise COPE NORTH 83-4. Subject Operation/Series: COPE NORTH 83-4 Country: Japan (JPN)

An air-to-air front view of a Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 321 (VMFA-321) F/A-18A Hornet aircraft in a diamond formation as they return to Naval Air Station, Fallon, after a close air support mission. The reserve squadron is at Fallon for two weeks of active duty training at the Naval Air Warfare Center target complex. Base: Naval Air Station, Fallon State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An air-to-air left side view of a 32nd Tactical Fighter Squadron (TFS) F-15C Eagle aircraft carrying a full load of AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-7 Sparrow missiles. Members of the 32nd TFS are piloting the aircraft during a Zulu alert mission designed to protect Northern NATO nations from possible attack. The 32nd TFS is the only USAF squadron to bear the official crest of the Queen of the Netherlands painted on the side of its F-15C fighter aircraft. Country: Holland / Netherlands (HOL)

U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs assigned to the 61st Fighter Squadron and T-38A Talons assigned to the 2d Fighter Training Squadron fly in formation over southern Idaho, Sept. 14, 2022. The units, assigned to Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, and Eglin AFB, Florida, traveled to Idaho for a training exercise as the F-35 student pilots basic course capstone.

A F-14A Tomcat aircraft from Fighter Squadron 32 (VF-32) passes over the Saudi desert while on a training flight during Operation Desert Shield. VF-32 is based aboard the aircraft carrier USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67), which is operating in the Red Sea. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Saudi Arabia (SAU)

An F-15 Eagle aircraft of the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing stands on the flight line at night. The 4th Tactical Figher Wing is the first unit to have an operational F-15E squadron. Base: Seymour Johnson Air Force Base State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

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