← Military & Defence

Military Aircraft in Action

Dynamic shots of various military aircraft, including F-16s and EA-18Gs, captured during takeoff and aerial maneuvers in modern military exercises.

April 8, 2011 - A Dutch F-16AM armed with AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles during a combat air patrol sortie in support of Operation Unified Protector over the Mediterranean Sea close to Libya.

U.S. Air Force F-15C during NATO exercise Frisian Flag 2015.

An Israeli Air Force F-15I Ra'am armed with practice bombs.

A bottom view of an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft carrying an AIM-9 Sidewinder missile during exercise COPE ELITE '81. The Falcon is from the 428th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 474th Tactical Fighter Wing. Subject Operation/Series: COPE ELITE '81 Base: Pohakuloa Army Range State: Hawaii (HI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An aerial demonstration of a Slovakian Air Force's MIG-29 Fulcrum, piloted by LT. Colonel Jozef Dunaj during Air Fete '96, the largest military sponsored air show in the world. Air Fete is held annually at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, United Kingdom and is attended by an estimated 300,000 people. An aerial demonstration of a Slovakian Air Force's MIG-29 Fulcrum, piloted by Lt. Colonel Jozef Dunaj during Air Fete '96, the largest military sponsored air show in the world. Air Fete is held annually at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, United Kingdom and is attended by an estimated 300,000 people.

Two F-15E Strike Eagles, assigned to 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron, Eglin AFB, Fla., fly over during The Doolittle Raiders 80th Anniversary ceremony, April 18, 2022 at Okaloosa Island. More than 14 aircraft including the B-25 medium bombers, which participated in the Doolittle Raid, conducted an aerial review over Okaloosa Island, Florida following a formal ceremony honoring participants of the air operation.

Mc Donnell Douglas F, 15 fighter aircraft during an Air Defender 2023 exercise, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, Europe

A Royal Saudi Air Force F-15 at Albacete Air Base, Spain.

DN-ST-89-11294. Base: Naval Air Station, Oceana State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer takes off from RAF Fairford, England.

Two F-16 Fighting Falcons from Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, prepare to land at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, Feb. 16, 2023, prior to Accelerating the Legacy 2023. The three-day Black History Month event was established in 2021 in response to the call from Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., to Accelerate Change or Lose.

The Idaho Air National Guards 124th Fighter Wing hosted the biennial A-10 Thunderbolt II competition, Hawgsmoke, Sept. 6-9, 2022. On Sept. 8, nearly 30 A-10s from across the nation took off from Gowen Field's flight line for the competition that took place at Idaho's Saylor Creek Range. At the previous competition, Hawgsmoke 2021, the 124th Fighter Wings 190th Fighter Squadron was recognized as the top pilot team at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. The winning team traditionally hosts the next competition. The 190th Fighter Squadron won all three team awards in 2021: overall champion, top bombing team and top tactical team. The 190th was announced winners of the 2022 Hawgsmoke on Sept. 9, making this overall win the squadrons fourth since 2003. More than 150 pilots, maintainers and weapon teams from approximately 14 active duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve units from across the globe are in the competition.

A T-38 Talon four-ship formation flies over the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinals match between the Republic and the Kansas City Sporting July 27, 2022, in Sacramento, California. The U.S. Air Force performs close to 1,000 flyovers a year, which serve as a way to showcase the capabilities of its aircraft while also inspiring patriotism and future generations of aviation enthusiasts.

F-14 Tomcat Jet Fighter

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

An air-to-air right side view of an F-15E Eagle aircraft, piloted by LT. COL. M. Decuir and LT. COL. John M. Delouey of the 336th Tactical Fighter Squadron. The plane is equipped with an AIM-9 Sidewinder missile, Mark 5 bombs and a Low Altitude Navigation Targeting Infrared for Night (LANTIRN) pod. Country: Unknown

DN-ST-87-10375. Country: Caribbean Sea

DF-SC-86-03552. Base: White Sands Missile Range State: New Mexico (NM) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Air Force F-15 Eagles assigned to the 44th Fighter Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan, conduct training operations in the Pacific, June 9, 2022. Both the 44th and 67th Fighter Squadrons at Kadena AB play a unique role in securing peace and stability in a free and open Indo-Pacific with their F-15 capabilities.

Dr. Victoria Coleman, Air Force Chief Scientist, and a 67th Fighter Squadron pilot take off in an F-15D Eagle at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Sept. 26, 2022. Dr. Coleman visited Kadena during a tour of military installations within the Indo-Pacific Sept. 25-28, 2022.

An Israeli Air Force F-16I Sufa taking off.

F-16A Flight Falcon fighter aircraft from the Air National Guard's 174th Tactical Fighter Wing, Hancock Field, N.Y., armed with Mark 84 2,000-pound bombs, stand ready for a mission at the start of Operation Desert Storm.. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Saudi Arabia(SAU)

An AV-8B Harrier with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, flies in position while conducting aerial refueling training operations in U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility Sept 23, 2012. The training consisted of MV-22B Ospreys and AV-8B Harriers conducting aerial refueling with the 24th MEU's KC-130J Hercules planes to practice the skills needed for long-range flight operations. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis response force for U.S. Central Command in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Five F-22 Raptors fly in formation over Tyndall Air Force Base during an event held in their honor Jan. 6. These jets mark the beginning of a new mission at Tyndall and are the first five of 24 marked to call Tyndall their new home.

November 8, 2012 - An F-15 Eagle of the 65th Aggressor Squadron prepares for landing at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.

Pacific Ocean, November 5, 2006 - An F/A-18F Super Hornet completes a super-sonic flyby as part of an air power demonstration for visitors aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63).

U.S. Air Force Capt. Aimee Fiedler, F-16 Viper Demonstration Team commander and pilot, performs aerial maneuvers in a F-16 Fighting Falcon during Wings Over Solano at Travis Air Force Base, California, May 14, 2022. The Wings Over Solano open house and air show provided an opportunity for the local community to interact directly with the base and its Airmen and see capabilities on full display at Travis AFB.

180131-N-EN275-061ATLANTIC OCEAN (Jan. 31, 2018) An F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to the "Gladiators" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 106 lands on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72).

The U.S. Navy West Coast Rhino F/A-18 Superhornet Demo team performs during the Fairchild Skyfest 2022 airshow at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, May 14, 2022. Fairchild Skyfest 2022 included the West Coast Rhino F/A-18 Demo team, showcasing the capabilities of the U.S. Air Forces joint partners in assuring air superiority.

U.S. Air Force Capt. Aimee Rebel Fiedler, F-16 Viper Demonstration Team pilot and commander, performs an aerial demonstration with a P-51 Mustang during the Shaw Air & Space Expo at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, April 3, 2022. Participation in air shows allow the 20FW to showcase their capabilities to the public, while simultaneously building community relations.

A pilot assigned to the F-16 Viper Demonstration Team performs a practice demo at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Jan. 26, 2022. The Team works closely with the Air Force Heritage Flight Foundation to create a unique demonstration for the U.S. Air Force past and present, exhibiting the professional qualities the Air Force develops in the people who fly, maintain and support these aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Madeline Herzog)

An F-15E Strike Eagle assigned to the 336th Fighter Squadron takes off during Red Flag 14-2 March 4, 2014, at Nellis AFB, Nev. Red Flag gives Airmen an opportunity to experience realistic combat scenarios, and prepares them for future real-world operations.

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds perform maneuvers during The Great Texas Airshow, Apr. 22, 2022, at JBSA-Randolph, Texas. The Great Texas Airshow, featuring the Thunderbirds, is scheduled for April 23 thru 24 at JBSA-Randolph. The Thunderbirds perform for people all around the world to display the pride, precision and professionalism the U.S. Air Force represents. Through air shows and flyovers, they aim to excite and inspire. In addition to showcasing the elite skills all pilots must possess, the Thunderbirds demonstrate the incredible capabilities of the Air Force's premier multi-role fighter jet, the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

An F-15E Eagle leaves the ground during a NATO Tactical Evaluation. Base: Raf Lakenheath State: East Anglia Country: England / Great Britain (ENG)

040523-F-4109K-019. Base: Langley Air Force Base State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

051018-F-0697K-007. Subject Operation/Series: C-17 DELIVERY #4 TO MARCH ARB Base: March Air Reserve Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: AFRC

Strong blurred, military aircraft in the air

DF-ST-87-09807. Subject Operation/Series: TEAM SPIRIT Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

An F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 309th Fighter Squadron, Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, flies over Barry M. Goldwater Range, Arizona, Jan. 19, 2024. The Barry M. Goldwater range, south of Phoenix, Arizona, is host to a number of air-to-ground bombing ranges which are utilized for training. Luke AFB is home to the 56th Fighter Wing which is the largest fighter wing in the world and the U.S. Air Forces primary active-duty fighter pilot training wing.

B-2A Spirit and F-15C Eagle of the United States Air Force.

A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor performs maneuvers during The Great Texas Airshow, Apr. 22, 2022, at JBSA-Randolph, Texas. The Great Texas Airshow, featuring the Thunderbirds, is scheduled for April 23 thru 24 at JBSA-Randolph. The Thunderbirds perform for people all around the world to display the pride, precision and professionalism the U.S. Air Force represents. Through air shows and flyovers, they aim to excite and inspire. In addition to showcasing the elite skills all pilots must possess, the Thunderbirds demonstrate the incredible capabilities of the Air Force's premier multi-role fighter jet, the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

U.S. Air Force Capt. Melanie MACH Kluesner, F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team pilot and commander, flies an aerial demonstration certification flight at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Feb. 22, 2024. Upon the 388th Fighter Wing commander certification, the F-35 Demo Team pilot is required to complete the Air Combat Command Heritage Flight Training Course. Air Force

Royal Air Force EF-2000 during Exercise Iniohos 2018, Greece.

An A-10 Thunderbolt II strafes overhead during a combat search and rescue scenario held for participants of the 93rd Joint Civilian Orientation Conference tour at Creech and Nellis Air Force Bases, Nevada, Oct. 26, 2022. The JCOC group acted as a Counter-CSAR threat which required simulated attacks and shows of force from the A-10s to protect the HH-60s and survivors.

111003-N-ZZ999-001ATLANTIC OCEAN (Oct. 3, 2011) An F-35B Lightning II prepares to make the first vertical landing on a flight deck at sea aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1). The F-35B is the Marine Corps Joint Strike Force variant of the Joint Strike Fighter and is designed for short takeoff and vertical landing on Navy amphibious ships.

220925-N-CH260-1244 PACIFIC OCEAN (Sept. 25, 2022) An F/A-18F Super Hornet, assigned to the Flying Eagles of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 122, launches from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Abraham Lincoln is underway conducting routine operations in U.S. 3rd Fleet.

The Idaho Air National Guards 124th Fighter Wing hosted the biennial A-10 Thunderbolt II competition, Hawgsmoke, Sept. 6-9, 2022. On Sept. 8, nearly 30 A-10s from across the nation took off from Gowen Field's flight line for the competition that took place at Idaho's Saylor Creek Range. At the previous competition, Hawgsmoke 2021, the 124th Fighter Wings 190th Fighter Squadron was recognized as the top pilot team at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. The winning team traditionally hosts the next competition. The 190th Fighter Squadron won all three team awards in 2021: overall champion, top bombing team and top tactical team. The 190th was announced winners of the 2022 Hawgsmoke on Sept. 9, making this overall win the squadrons fourth since 2003. More than 150 pilots, maintainers and weapon teams from approximately 14 active duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve units from across the globe are in the competition.

Israeli Air Force F-16I Sufa flying over Israel.

A student pilot from the 80th Flying Training Wing assigned to the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot training (ENJJPT) program takes off at sunrise in a T-38 Talon Oct. 30, 2014, at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. The ENJJPT program is a challenging and rigorous 55-week course that tests pilots nerves and produces some of the best pilots in the world.

A Northrop NF-5B Freedom Fighter of 313 Squadron is flying over the TWENTHE airbase.

A U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon assigned to the 55th Fighter Squadron at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., approaches the runway during exercise Red Flag-Nellis (RF-N) 23-2 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, March 17, 2023. Through dedicated training opportunities like RF-N 23-2, Wild Weasels ensure combat readiness and the tactical proficiency needed to maintain a ready force capable of ensuring the collective defense of the United States, their partners and allies.

U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors assigned to the 3rd Wing conduct training sorties above Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, July 19, 2022. This year marks the F-22s 25th anniversary of consistently providing America and its allies with fifth-generation air superiority.

Mediterranean Sea, September 25, 2005 - Four F-14D Tomcats prepare to enter the break prior to landing aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt during flight operations in the Mediterranean Sea.

220809-N-OZ224-0136 OAK HARBOR, Wash. (Aug. 9, 2022) - Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 133, as part of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9, embarked aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) and returned to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NASWI) August 9, 2022, following a seven-month deployment to U.S. 3rd Fleet and 7th Fleet areas of operations. 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.

U.S. Air National Guard Lt. Col. Steven Schultz, pilot, 114th Fighter Wing, flies an F-16 Fighting Falcon alongside a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 185th Air Refueling Wing on April 1, 2022. This F-16 was designed to commemorate the 114th Fighter Wings 75 years of Fighter Aviation Heritage.

F14 Tomcat

A U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle assigned to the 67th Fighter Squadron takes off from Kadena Air Base, Japan, Dec. 5, 2022. Kadena serves as a hub for airpower in the Pacific, ensuring we are ready to project force capabilities and provide support to regional allies and partners when called upon. (U.S. Air Force photo Airman 1st Class Tylir Meyer)

An Israeli Air Force C-130J Shimshon releasing flares.

A Tornado IDS combat aircraft of the Italian Air Force.

The Idaho Air National Guards 124th Fighter Wing hosted the biennial A-10 Thunderbolt II competition, Hawgsmoke, Sept. 6-9, 2022. On Sept. 8, nearly 30 A-10s from across the nation took off from Gowen Field's flight line for the competition that took place at Idaho's Saylor Creek Range. At the previous competition, Hawgsmoke 2021, the 124th Fighter Wings 190th Fighter Squadron was recognized as the top pilot team at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. The winning team traditionally hosts the next competition. The 190th Fighter Squadron won all three team awards in 2021: overall champion, top bombing team and top tactical team. The 190th was announced winners of the 2022 Hawgsmoke on Sept. 9, making this overall win the squadrons fourth since 2003. More than 150 pilots, maintainers and weapon teams from approximately 14 active duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve units from across the globe are in the competition.

The Idaho Air National Guards 124th Fighter Wing hosted the biennial A-10 Thunderbolt II competition, Hawgsmoke, Sept. 6-9, 2022. On Sept. 8, nearly 30 A-10s from across the nation took off from Gowen Field's flight line for the competition that took place at Idaho's Saylor Creek Range. At the previous competition, Hawgsmoke 2021, the 124th Fighter Wings 190th Fighter Squadron was recognized as the top pilot team at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. The winning team traditionally hosts the next competition. The 190th Fighter Squadron won all three team awards in 2021: overall champion, top bombing team and top tactical team. The 190th was announced winners of the 2022 Hawgsmoke on Sept. 9, making this overall win the squadrons fourth since 2003. More than 150 pilots, maintainers and weapon teams from approximately 14 active duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve units from across the globe are in the competition.

The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, known as the Thunderbirds, perform for the Airshow London Skydrive in London, Ontario, September, 9, 2022. This was the Thunderbirds second performance in Canada for the 2022 season.

The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, known as the Thunderbirds, perform for the Airshow London Skydrive in London, Ontario, September, 9, 2022. This was the Thunderbirds second performance in Canada for the 2022 season.

A high-speed flypast of an Italian Navy AV-8B Harrier II.

000510-F-5697C-014. Subject Operation/Series: COBRA GOLD 2000 Base: Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base Country: Thailand (THA)

030315-F-4219L-003. Base: RAF Fairford State: Gloucestershire Country: United Kingdom (GBR)

An Israeli Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon in flight, Andravida, Greece.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Two F/A-18 jets fly over the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. They 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 left side view of a parked F-16 Tomcat aircraft aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS NIMITZ (CVN-68) during the NATO exercise Display Determination '81. Subject Operation/Series: DISPLAY DETERMINATION '81 Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

220823-N-AS200-8210 POINT MUGU, Calif. (Aug 23, 2022) - "115" EA-18G Growler assigned to the "Dust Devils" of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 31 launches from Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) Point Mugu. VX-31 is based at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, Calif. and charged with conducting safe, effective, and efficient flight testing and evaluation of aircraft and weapon systems in direct support of the United States Naval Aviation Fleet. NBVC is the home of the Pacific Seabees, West Coast E-2C Hawkeyes, 3 warfare centers and 80 tenants.

A U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle, assigned to the 104th Fighter Wing, Massachusetts Air National Guard, takes off June 16, 2022, at Barnes Air National Guard Base, Massachusetts. The 104FW is trained to provide around-the-clock Aerospace Control Alert, providing armed F-15 fighters ready to scramble in a moments notice to protect the northeast United States from any airborne threat.

050615-F-9351O-002. State: Louisiana (LA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

The Blue Angels are currently conducting winter training at Naval Air Facility (NAF) El Centro, California, in preparation for the upcoming 2024 air show season.

A-10 Thunderbolt Firing Flares

040514-N-0295M-039. Base: Andrews Air Force Base State: Maryland (MD) Country: United States Of America (USA)

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

A US Air Force (USAF) A-10 Thunderbolt aircraft with the 81st Fighter Squadron (FS), Spangdahlem Air Base (AB), Germany, takes off during the first day of local Exercise Operation Winter Chill 2002. (Substandard image). Base: Spangdahlem Air Base State: Rheinland-Pfalz Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)

An Italian Air Force F-16 Air Defense Fighter prepares for landing.

A F-15C Eagle assigned to the 67th Fighter Squadron takes off during exercise RED FLAG-Alaska 22-1 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, April 29, 2022. The Indo-Pacific is a top priority for the United States, and the DoD, through exercises like RED FLAG-Alaska, is committed to ensuring U.S. forces are capable and ready to face the evolving challenges in the region.

The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron "Thunderbirds practice their act in preparation for the Shaw Air & Space Expo at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, April 1, 2022. The Thunderbirds are an elite military air demonstration team instilling pride in the hearts of audiences nationwide with their daring air acrobats.

An A-10C Thunderbolt II assigned to the 25th Fighter Squadron takes off at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Jan. 30, 2023. The routine training event is designed to test Osan Airmens ability during a heightened state of readiness while providing combat ready forces for close air support, air strike control, forward air control-airborne, combat search and rescue, counter air and fire, and interdiction in the defense of the ROK.

030923-F-7709A-004. Base: Tyndall Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

of 2