Military Aircraft in Action

Various military aircraft, including fighter jets and tankers, depicted in flight during training exercises and operations, emphasizing aerial maneuvers and refueling activities.

A pair of Bulgarian Air Force MiG-29s aircraft over Bulgaria.

020502-F-0193C-004. Subject Operation/Series: NORTHERN EDGE 2002 Country: United States Of America (USA)

An Egyptian Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon positions to connect with a U.S. Air Force KC-10 Extender assigned to the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron to practice aerial refueling during Exercise Bright Star 23 over Egypt, Sept. 2, 2023. Bright Star 2023 is a multilateral U.S. Central Command exercise held with the Arab Republic of Egypt across air, land and sea domains that promotes and enhances regional security and cooperation, and improves interoperability in irregular warfare against hybrid threat scenarios.

040509-F-7823A-005. Country: Iraq (IRQ)

Two F-15 Eagle aircraft's from the 67th Fighter Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, fly alongside a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft prior to being refueled while flying over the Pacific Ocean. Country: Unknown

020123-F-5872L-008. Subject Operation/Series: COPE TIGER '02 Country: Thailand (THA) Scene Major Command Shown: AMC

A 388th Tactical Fighter Wing F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft approaches the refueling boom of a KC-10 Extender aircraft while en route to Saudi Arabia for Operation Desert Shield. The aircraft is carrying four AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, three external fuel tanks and, on its center left wing pylon, an AN/ALQ-131 electronic countermeasures (ECM) pod. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Unknown

An F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 64th Aggressor Squadron flies over the Nevada Test and Training Range during Weapons School Integration 22-A at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, May 19, 2022. The 64th AGRS is currently assisting the U.S. Air Force Weapons School by providing realistic threat replication for students participating in the Weapons School Integration exercise. (

An air-to-air side view of an F-15 Eagle aircraft, from the 36th Tactical Fighter Wing. Country: Federal Republic Of Germany (FRG)

An F-16 "Fighting Falcon", 510th Fighter Squadron, Aviano AB, Italy, loaded with AIM-120 and AIM-9 air-to-air missiles makes a hard left turn during a Combat Air Patrol (CAP) mission on Monday, May 3, 1999. Planes flying the CAP missions provide air cover for NATO Operation Allied Force strike missions in Yuglslavia. Subject Operation/Series: NATO Base: Aviano Air Base State: Pordenone Country: Italy (ITA)

A pair of Bulgarian Air Force MiG-29s aircraft over Bulgaria.

020424-F-7203T-017. Country: United States Of America (USA)

An air-to-air right side view of a Fighter Squadron 211 (VF-211) F-14A Tomcat aircraft. Country: Indian Ocean (IOC)

AN air-to-air top view of an F-5 Tiger II aircraft banking to the left 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)

An F-16 Falcon fighter, Tail number 372, assigned to the 79th Fighter Squadron, Shaw AFB, S.C. flies a sortie during the Operational Readiness Inspection (ORI). Base: Shaw Air Force Base State: South Carolina (SC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

011018-F-6655M-004. Base: Kunsan Air Base Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR) Scene Major Command Shown: PACAF

F-16 Fighting Falcon US Air Force

Fighter plane take off, F/A-18C Hornet, US Navy

An F-15E Strike Eagle soars over the Offutt Air Force Base runway showcasing it's capabilities at the 2011 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show. The F-15E is a dual-role fighter with two crew members, a pilot and a weapons systems officer, performing air- to-air and air-to-ground missions.

050912-N-5088T-001. Country: Unknown

A 44th Fighter Squadron F-15C Eagle departs after receiving fuel from a 909th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker during a flight over the Pacific Ocean in support of exercise Keen Sword 23, Nov. 17, 2022. Bilateral exercises allow U.S. military and Japan Self-Defense Forces to work together across a variety of areas to enhance interoperability and readiness.

An air-to-air right side view of an F-16 Falcon aircraft assigned to the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing during a mission out of Hill Air Force Base. State: Utah (UT) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A right side view of an F-16 aircraft taking off during Long Rifle III competition. The semi-annual air-to-ground gunnery competition tests tactical air crews' abilities to plan and execute long-range missions, execute attacks on first-look targets and accurately deliver ordnance. Subject Operation/Series: LONG RIFLE III Base: Macdill Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

April 8, 2011 - A CF-188A Hornet of the Royal Canadian Air Force carrying laser guided bombs and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles while bound for Libya during Operation Unified Protector.

030619-F-6844O-006. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: CENTCOM

F/A-18C Hornet US Navy

030218-F-3961R-011. Subject Operation/Series: COPE TIGER 2003 Country: Unknown

020129-F-1851B-093. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

Capt. Cameron Wall, F-16 pilot assigned to the 64th Aggressor Squadron, flies over the Nevada Test and Training Range during a routine training mission at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, June 23, 2022. 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.

021107-F-7709A-006. State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

010808-F-7910D-006. Base: Buckley Air Force Base State: Colorado (CO) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: Air Combat Command

Pair of US Navy F/A-18C Hornets form on the tanker while participating in a RIMPAC (Pacific Rim nations) exercise in HI. Operated from USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier.

040421-F-7823A-002. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Country: Iraq (IRQ)

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot flies behind a KC-135 Stratotanker, assigned to the 50th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, as it prepares for an air refueling during exercise Accurate Test 22, within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, May 15, 2022. These exercises aim to improve interoperability, create a mutually supportive partnership and continue to build long-term relationships throughout the Middle East.

F-16C of the Vermont Air National Guard taking off.

A U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle from the 142nd Fighter Wing, Portland Air National Guard, gets refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 92nd Air Refueling Wing, Fairchild Air Force Base, during North American Aerospace Defense Commands (NORAD) Operation Noble Defender (OND) over Canada's Pacific Coast near Vancouver Island, Sept. 14, 2022. Canada and the U.S. are essential partners in the NORAD mission and in ensuring NORADs capability and capacity to deter aggression and defend our nations from airborne and maritime threats. Recurring operations like Noble Defender contribute to NORAD's ongoing efforts to address current and evolving threats to North American defense and security.

U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet aircraft with Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA(AW)) 533 fly in formation over the Pacific Ocean, May 28, 2022. Marines with VMFA(AW)-533 traveled from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam to enhance squadron readiness and conduct joint-level training as part of an Aviation Training Relocation Program.

040918-F-6565E-010. State: Minnesota (MN) Country: United States Of America (USA)

F-14A Tomcat aboard the flight deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln

021008-F-7709A-005. State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, February 14, 2006 - A Royal Australian Air Force F-111 flies to the ranges during Red Flag 06-1.

DN-ST-90-05154. Base: Naval Air Station, Miramar State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An air-to-air right side view of two fighter Squadron 1 (VF-1) F-14A Tomcat aircraft in formation. Country: Unknown

DF-ST-88-03774. Subject Operation/Series: SOLID SHIELD Country: Unknown

July 20, 2007 - An F-16 Fighting Falcon prepares to refuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker at Red Flag-Alaska.

Lockheed F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Viper carrying external fuel tanks AGM-88 HARM High Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles and Sidewinder and AMRAAM air to air missiles

A Formation of F-16Cs Roar Above Building Cumulus

A-A image USAF Lockheed F-16C Fighting Falcon (Viper) over a desert background.

A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18C Hornet, assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron312, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), patrols Polish airspace as a part ofNATO's Enhanced Air Policing, May 15, 2022. 2nd MAW units are deployed toenhance NATO's capabilities in Eastern Europe at the invitation of the hostnation.

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle.

031110-F-7709A-001. State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-ST-85-01347. Subject Operation/Series: AIR WARRIOR Country: Unknown

High angle view of a fighter plane in flight, F-16 Fighting Falcon, US Air Force

A 35th Tactical Fighter Wing F-4G Phantom II aircraft passes over the Saudi desert while on a training flight during Operation Desert Shield. The aircraft is carrying external fuel tanks on its outboard wing pylons and AGM-88A HARM high-speed anti-radiation missiles on its inboard wing pylons. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Saudi Arabia (SAU)

050119-F-7709A-013. Base: Gulf Of Mexico Country: United States Of America (USA)

020228-F-7910D-001. Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon from the Pacific Air Forces F-16 Demonstration Team performs during the Arctic Thunder Open House at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, July 30, 2022. The PACAF F-16 Demonstration Team is the premier U.S. aerial demonstration team in the Indo-Pacific region. The team has operated out of the 35th Fighter Wing, Misawa Air Base, Japan, since its inception in 1995 when it became the first demonstration team to fly the block 50 version of the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

An F-16 Fighting Falcon departs after being refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker during Sentry Savannah 16-3, Aug. 3, 2016. The F-16 is highly maneuverable and has proven itself in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack.

An F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 64th Aggressor Squadron takes off for a routine training mission at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, May 17, 2022. The 64th AGRS operates 30 F-16C/M aircraft, providing realistic, threat-representative, opposing forces for high-end US and coalition training.

970221-F-5742K-003. Base: Strait Of Gibraltar Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

Fighter Jet Swiss Air Force, FA 18 C Hornet J-5021

030702-F-7709A-022. State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

A French Air Force Dassault Rafales takes-off from the flight line during Point Blank 22-2 at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, April 28, 2022. This iteration of Point Blank was conducted with participation from the French Air Force and Netherlands Air Force.

A right side air-to-air view of an F-16A Fighting Falcon aircraft from the 80th Tactical Fighter Squadron dropping six Mark 82 bombs. Base: Kunsan Air Base Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

F-16 Falcons from the 187th Fighter Wing in Montgomery, Alabama fly in formation with a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 117th Air Refueling Wing prior to doing a flyover of the 2022 World Games at Birmingham, Alabama, July 7, 2022.

An F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 310th Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, flies away from a KC-135 Stratotanker, July 15, 2022.

011018-F-6655M-005. Base: Kunsan Air Base Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR) Scene Major Command Shown: PACAF

A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18C Hornet, assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron312, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), patrols Polish airspace as a part ofNATO's Enhanced Air Policing, May 15, 2022. 2nd MAW units are deployed toenhance NATO's capabilities in Eastern Europe at the invitation of the hostnation.

Two F-16s in Flight

011113-N-9849W-008. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Uss Kitty Hawk (CV 63) Scene Major Command Shown: CV-63

A left side view of two F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft carrying AN/ALQ-131 pods and missile dispensers. The Falcons are assigned to the 10th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 50th Tactical Fighter Wing. Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)

October 19, 2006 - An F-15 Eagle heads out to the range during Red Flag 07-1 being held at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.

A 53rd Fighter Squadron F-15C Eagle aircraft takes off on a mission during Operation Deny Flight, the enforcement of the United Nations-sanctioned no-fly zone over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Subject Operation/Series: DENY FLIGHT Base: Aviano Air Base State: Pordenone Country: Italy (ITA)

A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 92nd Air Refueling Wing refuels a U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler during a sortie over the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex during RED FLAG-Alaska 22-2, June 13, 2022. RFA serves as an ideal platform for international engagement, and the exercise has a long history of including allies and partners, ultimately enabling all involved to exchange tactics, techniques and procedures while improving interoperability.

A right side view of a CF-18 fighter aircraft from the 3rd Fighter Wing, Canadian Air Force, flies an air-to-air missile sortie during competition.(Exact date unknown). Subject Operation/Series: WILLIAM TELL '94 Base: Tyndall Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon of the Ohio Air National Guards 180th Fighter Wing flies over Iowa Aug. 11, 2022. The F-16 was on its way to the Field of Dreams Major League Baseball game to perform a flyover during the playing of the US National Anthem.

An air-to-air left side view of an F-16B Fighting Falcon aircraft firing an AGM-45 Shrike missile over the Edwards Air Force Base Test Range. State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

031030-F-7270C-003. Base: Terre Haute State: Indiana (IN) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ANG

A USAF Lockheed F-16CJ Fighting Falcon (Viper) seen head-on carrying external fuel tanks AGM-88 HARM High Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles and Sidewinder and AMRAAM air to air missiles.

An F-35B Lightning II with 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, San Diego, California, conducts an aerial demonstration during the 2022 MCAS Miramar Air Show at MCAS Miramar, Sept. 24, 2022. The F-35B Lightning II, flown by aviators with Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 502, is equipped with short takeoff and vertical landing capability that expands its range by allowing it to operate from naval vessels and in austere, expeditionary environments. 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.

050217-F-7709A-001. Base: Gulf Of Mexico Country: United States Of America (USA)

020730-F-7709A-001. State: Utah (UT) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft with 18th Wing takes off during Cope North 24 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Feb. 20, 2024. Allies and partners train together during the multilateral exercise, Cope North 24, to improve shared tactics and multilateral defense capabilities. Marine Corps

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (May 12, 2017) An EA-18G Growler conducts air-to-air refueling during exercise Northern Edge 17 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. Northern Edge 17 is Alaskas premier joint-training exercise and is conducted to strengthen the interoperability between various aircraft from all services.

An F-16A Netz of the Israeli Air Force takes off from Nevatim Air Force Base, Israel.

030417-F-6809H-005. Country: Unknown Scene Major Command Shown: 398th AEG

A F-18E Super Hornet belonging to U.S. Navy Strike Fighter Squadron 25 takes to the skies for a training sortie as part of the Red Flag 22-2 exercise at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, June 16, 2022. The VFA-25 squadron, known as the Fist of the Fleet, has nearly an 80 year lineage with the U.S. Navy and has been utilizing the carrier-capable F-18E Strike Eagle since 1999. Red Flag-Alaska is the only exercise of its kind that provides allied nations and joint-partner forces the opportunity to see mock combat and high operational working tempo in a simulated deployed environment.

A Fighter Squadron 143 (VF-143) F-14B Tomcat aircraft banks to the left as it prepares to return to the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN-69) during Operation Desert Storm. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Unknown

220618-N-BR419-1140 PHILIPPINE SEA (June 18, 2022) Two F/A-18E Super Hornets attached to the Dambusters of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 195, fly over the flight deck of the U.S. Navys only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). The Dambusters earned their nickname on May 1, 1951 when the squadron's Skyraiders destroyed the heavily defended and strategically positioned Hwacheon Dam in North Korea with aerial torpedoes by making precise low level runs. 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 U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle from the 159th Fighter Wing, Louisiana Air National Guard, Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, La., flies in formation with a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 92nd Air Refueling Wing, Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash.,upon completion of North American Aerospace Defense Commands (NORAD) Operation Noble Defender (OND) over the Caribbean Sea near Puerto Rico, July 1, 2022. As a part of OND, which is a recurring operation, the Continental U.S. NORAD Region coordinated and conducted joint operations with the U.S. Navy while concurrently launching jets from different locations across the United States' gulf coast and Puerto Rico. OND, is an integrated air and missile defense operation designed to ensure the defense and security of the northern and southern approaches to North America. This particular OND allowed NORAD units to exercise maneuvers designed to defend the southern approach to the United States from simulated cruise missile threats. NORAD is

040505-F-2034C-007. Base: Kadena Air Base State: Okinawa Country: Japan (JPN) Scene Major Command Shown: PACAF

230411-N-NO803-1004 PHILIPPINE SEA (April 11, 2023) Four F/A-18E Super Hornets from the Blue Diamonds” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 146 fly in formation near the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz is in U.S. 7th Fleet conducting routine operations. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

030407-F-7709A-001. Base: Tyndall Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

AN air-to-air left side view of two F-15 Eagle aircraft returning from a training mission. AN AIM-9L Sidewinder is mounted on the left wing of each aircraft. The aircraft are assigned to the 433rd Fighter Weapons Squadron. Base: Nellis Air Force Base State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle assigned to the 44th Fighter Squadron takes off at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Dec. 1, 2022. As part of its modernization plan, the U.S. Air Force is retiring its aging fleet of F-15C/D Eagle aircraft that have been in service for more than four decades. The Department of Defense will continue to maintain a steady-state fighter presence at Kadena by temporarily deploying newer and more advanced aircraft to backfill the F-15s as they retrograde to the U.S.

041003-F-8039C-030. Base: Joe Foss Field State: South Dakota (SD) Country: United States Of America (USA)

PACIFIC OCEAN (April 25, 2018) An F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to the Mighty Shrikes of Strike Fighter Attack Squadron (VFA) 94 flies above the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). Theodore Roosevelt is underway for a scheduled deployment in the western Pacific.

Atlantic Ocean, March 10, 2006 - An F/A-18C Hornet launches from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71).

220124-N-EE352-1517 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Jan. 24, 2022) An F/A-18E Super Hornet, assigned to the Bounty Hunters” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 2, flies alongside Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), Jan. 24, 2022. Dual Carrier Operations with the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group and Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group demonstrates the U.S. Navy’s capability to rapidly aggregate to deliver overwhelming maritime force and increase collective war-fighting readiness in support of a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Leon Vonguyen)

A Boeing F-18 Super Hornet performing a high speed pass at the Watsonville, CA airshow. The Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet is a carrier-based strike fighter aircraft. The Super Hornet has an internal 20 mm gun and can carry various air-to-air missiles and air-to-surface weapons. Designed and initially produced by McDonnell Douglas, the Super Hornet first flew in 1995.

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