Military Aircraft in Action

Various military jets, including F-14 and F-16, captured in dynamic flight above clouds and landscapes, highlighting aerial capabilities.

A U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon in flight over Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The Falcon is armed with AIM-120A Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) on each wing tip, a pair of GBU-12 500-pound bombs (left), and a 370-gallon tank. It also has a AN/AAQ-28(V) Litening AT targeting pod under the intake.

F-14A Tomcat of VF-211 Fighting Checkmates flying above the clouds.

040727-F-9528H-007. Country: United States Of America (USA)

040816-F-4884R-002. Country: Iraq (IRQ)

An air to air overhead view of a US Air Force F-4 from the 561st Fighter Wing Nellis AFB, NV, over the Mediterranean Sea and Saudi Arabia during the operation.(Exact date unknown). Subject Operation/Series: VIGILANT WARRIOR Base: Moron Country: Spain (ESP)

A U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon in flight over Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The Falcon is armed with AIM-120A Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) on each wing tip, a pair of GBU-12 500-pound bombs (left), and a 370-gallon tank. It also has a AN/AAQ-28(V) Litening AT targeting pod under the intake.

011107-F-5795G-018. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Country: Afghanistan (AFG)

An F-16 Fighting Falcon from the Air National Guard Air Force Reserve Test Center releases a flare during to a test mission.

020427-F-0193C-004. Subject Operation/Series: NORTHERN EDGE 2002 Country: United States Of America (USA)

Two U.S. Air National Guard F-15C Eagles from the 159th Fighter Wing fly information with a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 92nd Air Refueling Wing during Operation Noble Defender (OND) over the Caribbean Sea near Puerto Rico, June 29, 2022. As a part of OND, which is a recurring operation, the Continental U.S. NORAD Region (CONR) 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 a bi-national Canadian and American command that employs a network of aerial, ground-based, and space-based sensors, air-to-air refueling tankers, and fighter aircra

030114-F-2171A-007. State: Georgia (GA) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: AETC/ANG

Two F-16 Fighting Falcons fly in formation over Iraq during a combat mission.

DF-ST-88-05150. Country: England / Great Britain (ENG)

Colombian Air Force KFIRs and the U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons from the South Carolina Air National Guard, 157th Fighter Squadron fly in formation during Relampago VII, an exercise in Barranquilla, Colombia, Aug. 30, 2022. The purpose of this exercise is to provide the Colombian Air Force with requested realistic interoperability training as allied countries, under NATO standards. South Carolina is Colombias State Partner in the State Partnership Program.

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon from the South Carolina Air National Guards 169th Fighter Wing flies over the Colombian coast while participating in Relampago VII, an exercise in Barranquilla, Colombia, Aug. 30, 2022. Relampago VII is a combined Colombian and U.S. exercise taking place in the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) theater that focuses on techniques, tactics and procedures to strengthen the longstanding partnership between our armed forces.

A pair of F-16's from the 162nd Fighter Wing fly in formation near the Grand Canyon during a training mission out of Tucson, Arizona.

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.

DF-SC-85-03320. Country: Unknown

Two F-15 Eagles from the 18th Wing at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, fly in formation over the Pacific Ocean.

Two F-16C Fighting Falcon Block 52 aircraft's from the 157th Fighter Squadron, 169th Fighter Wing, McEntire Air National Guard Station, South Carolina, in flight. The aircraft's are armed with AGM-88 HARM's (high-speed anti-radiation missile), AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles and AIM-120 AMRAAM's (advanced medium-range air-to-air missile). Country: Unknown

Four F-16s in Formation

010810-F-7910D-017. Base: Buckley Field State: Colorado (CO) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

An air-to-air left side view of two F/A-18A Hornet aircraft of Strike Fighter Squadron 303 (VFA-303) over Southern California. Country: Unknown

An F-14A Tomcat aircraft is refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft during Operation Desert Shield. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Saudi Arabia (SAU)

040820-F-6911G-004. Base: Nellis Air Force Base State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Under the direction of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD),two CF-18s assigned to the Royal Canadian Air Force flies behind a KC-135 assigned to the Pennsylvania Air National Guard during air-defense Operation NOBLE DEFENDER, Oct. 27, 2022. Operation NOBLE DEFENDER is a long-planned NORAD exercise that validates the commands capability to defend Canada and the United States from every avenue of approach. The Continental U.S. NORAD Region (CONR) led this iteration of OND and coordinated and conducted combined operations, while concurrently launching aircraft from different locations across the northeast coast of the United States. F-15 and KC-135 aircraft from CONR and CF-18 aircraft from the Canadian NORAD Region participated in the operation. NORAD is a bi-national Canadian and U.S. command that employs a network of aerial, ground-based, and space-based sensors, air-to-air refueling tankers, and fighter aircraft controlled by a sophisticated command and control networ

Two F-16C Fighting Falcon Block 52 aircraft's from the 157th Fighter Squadron, 169th Fighter Wing, McEntire Air National Guard Station, South Carolina, in flight. The aircraft's are armed with AGM-88 HARM's (high-speed anti-radiation missile), AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles and AIM-120 AMRAAM's (advanced medium-range air-to-air missile). Country: Unknown

030422-F-3408B-016. Country: Unknown

A Royal Norwegian Air Force F-16A drops away after refuleing over the Balkan region from a United States Air Force KC-135R (not shown) of the 22nd Air Refueling Wing, McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, in support of NATO Operation Allied Force. The Air Mobility Command KC-135R "Stratotanker" is deployed from McConnell to Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, where it is flying as part of the 100th Air Expeditionary Wing. The Norwegian F-16A is loaded out with AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles and has refueled to extend its loiter time and range during a Combat Air Patrol over the former Yugolavia. Tankers from bases throughout England make up a large portion of the.... Complete Scene Caption: A Royal Norwegian Air Force F-16A drops away after refuleing over the Balkan region from a United States Air Force KC-135R (not shown) of the 22nd Air Refueling Wing, McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, in support of NATO Operation Allied Force. The Air Mobility Command KC-135R

An aerial right side view of an F-15C from the 44th Fighter Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan, as it patrols the air space around Williamtown, during an air to air exercise between the United States Air Force and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Subject Operation/Series: IRON FIST '95 Base: Raaf Williamstown Country: Australia (AUS)

060716-F-2034C-028. Base: Hickam Afb State: Hawaii (HI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

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

Two US Air Force F-16 Falcons from the 169th Fighter Wing, South Carolina Air National Guard, McEntire ANG Base, SC, flies over the coast of South Carolina. State: South Carolina (SC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An air-to-air right side view of an F-14A Tomcat aircraft from Naval Air Reserve Fighter Squadron 301 (VF-301). Base: San Diego State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

050405-F-2295B-034. Base: Langley Air Force Base State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

020424-F-0193C-007. Subject Operation/Series: NORTHERN EDGE 2002 Country: United States Of America (USA)

021031-F-7709A-004. State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Colombian Air Force KFIRs and the U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons from the South Carolina Air National Guard, 157th Fighter Squadron fly in formation during Relampago VII, an exercise in Barranquilla, Colombia, Aug. 30, 2022. The purpose of this exercise is to provide the Colombian Air Force with requested realistic interoperability training as allied countries, under NATO standards. South Carolina is Colombias State Partner in the State Partnership Program.

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.

F3222-SPT-95-040-19. Subject Operation/Series: JOINT TASK FORCE 95-3 Base: Mcas, Cherry Point State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An F-16 Fighting Falcon piloted by Captain Tim REEF Joubert, instructor pilot assigned to the 64th Aggressor Squadron, flies over the Nevada Test and Training Range after participating in a Red Flag-Nellis 22-3 mission at Nellis Air Force Base, July 12, 2022. The Nevada Test and Training Range is the U.S. Air Forces premier military training area with more that 12,000 square miles of air space and 2.9 million acres of land.

An air-to-air right underside view of a 52nd Tactical Fighter Wing F-4G Advanced Wild Weasel Phantom II aircraft armed with an AGM-88A high-speed anti-radiation (HARM) missile and two CBU-58 bombs. Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)

An F-15 Eagle with the 159th Fighter Wing out of Louisiana flies beside a KC-135 Stratotanker with the 914th Air Refueling Wing, New York, July 10, 2022, over the Southeastern United States. The 159th fighter wing is nicknamed the Bayou Militia, displayed on the F-15s tail.

A 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing F-15C Eagle aircraft banks into a turn during a flight out of Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. The aircraft is carrying two AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles on each wing and four AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles (AMRAAMs) on its fuselage weapons stations. Base: Eglin Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

F-16 Falcon "WOLFPACK" aircraft from the 80th Fighter Squadron, 35th Fighter Squadron, and the 8th Fighter Wing. The ordnance on the aircraft is as follows: CBU-87B, cluster bombs, AIM-120A missiles, MKBZ bombs, AGM-88 Harm missile, and the AIMGM missile. Base: Kunsan Air Base Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing, RAF Lakenheath, flies alongside a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft assigned to the 100th Air Refueling Wing at RAF Mildenhall, during a refueling mission over the North Sea, May 24, 2022. The 100th ARW provides partners with the critical air refueling "bridge" throughout the European theatre, which allows the Expeditionary Air Force to deploy around the globe at a moment's notice.

Two F-16s in Flight

DF-ST-87-13067. Country: Spain (ESP)

A 56th Fighter Wing F-16 Fighting Falcon from Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, manuevers during a training mission.

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 principal testament to the value of the Aggressor program is the consistent dominance of the U.S. Air Force during recent conflicts.

An air-to-air right side view of an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft during a verticular stabilizer test. The F-16 is armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. Country: Unknown

U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons wait for their wingmen after receiving fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 351st Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron June 13, 2014, during a Baltic Operations Exercise mission over Germany. Celebrating its 42nd year, the BALTOPS Exercise aims to improve security in the Baltic Sea through cooperation among regional allies.

Two F-16's from Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, fly in formation over Arizona before sunset.

020129-F-1851B-541. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

010830-F-6184M-020. State: Missouri (MO) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An air-to-air left side view of three Strike Fighter Squadron 136 (VFA-136) F/A-18C Hornet aircraft in formation. VFA-136 is embarked aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN-73). State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-ST-88-03006. Country: Unknown

A 482nd Fighter Wing / 93rd Fighter Squadron Lockheed F-16C Fighting Falcon carrying an Aim-120 AMRAAM, and Aim-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, a single GBU-12 laser-guided bomb (LGB), AN/ALQ-131 jamming pod and a Litening II navigation/targeting pod. The aircraft is normally based at Homestead Air Reserve Station and was flying near the Southern Flordia coastline. A 482nd Fighter Wing / 93rd Fighter Squadron Lockheed F-16C Fighting Falcon carrying an Aim-120 AMRAAM, and Aim-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, a single GBU-12 laser-guided bomb (LGB), AN/ALQ-131 jamming pod and a Litening II navigation/targeting pod. The aircraft is normally based at Homestead Air Reserve Station and was flying near the Southern Flordia coastline.

Close-up shot of two F-16C Fighting Falcon Block 52 aircraft's from the 157th Fighter Squadron, 169th Fighter Wing, McEntire Air National Guard Station, South Carolina, in flight. One of the aircraft's is armed with AIM-120 AMRAAM's (advanced medium-range air-to-air missile). Country: Unknown

An air-to-air right front view of three F-16A Fighting Falcon aircraft in echelon formation over the Atlantic Ocean. The aircraft are assigned to the 363rd Tactical Fighter Wing, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. Country: Unknown

041115-F-2295B-050. Base: Tyndall Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

010810-F-7910D-002. Base: Buckley Field State: Colorado (CO) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

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)

040503-F-7709A-002. Country: Gulf Of Mexico Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

A US Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon flies with a German MiG 29, NATO code-named Fulcrum, off the coast of Sardinia during a joint training exercise. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Subject Operation/Series: DENY FLIGHT Base: Decimomannu State: Sardinia Country: Italy (ITA)

June 12, 2009 - Mirage F1CR of the French Air Force over France, east of the city of Tours. The Mirage F1CR is a dedicated reconnaissance fighter plane that also have secondary air-to-ground and air-to-air task.

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft from the 335th Fighter Squadron releases flares during a local training mission over North Carolina, Dec. 17, 2010.

An F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 79th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, receives air refueling support from a KC-10 Extender assigned to the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Aug. 31, 2022. The mission of the 9th Air Force (Air Forces Central), is to execute an integrated campaign alongside regional and coalition nations to deter and, if necessary, defeat regional aggressors and global competitors.

DF-ST-86-04190. Country: Unknown

Luftwaffe F-4F Phantom II of Jagdgeschawader 71 Richthofen behind a tanker of the 100th ARW over northern Germany.

Four F-16's from the 56th Fighter Wing at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, manuever on a training mission over the Arizona desert.

An F-16 Falcon from the Portugese Air Force, waits for his wingman to finish before he receives fuel from a McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey, KC-10 Extender (Not shown) while deployed to a forward location in the European theatre. This mission is in direct support of Joint Task Force Noble Anvil. Subject Operation/Series: NOBLE ANVIL Country: Unknown

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft from the 335th Fighter Squadron flies over North Carolina during a local training mission, Dec. 17, 2010.

011020-F-6184S-030. Base: Sheppard Air Force Base State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

July 28, 2009 - A U.S. Air Force F-16CJ Fighting Falcon approaches a KC-135 Stratotanker for refueling over Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

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.

Over Singapore, November 8, 2005 - An F-16 Fighting Falcon finishes a mission during Exercise Commando Sling.

U.S. Air Force and Republic of Korea Air Force F-35A Lighting II aircraft soar through the skies over Korea July 12, 2022 in a tight formation. The 356th Fighter Squadron out of Eielson AFB, Alaska, arrived in the Republic of Korea to conduct combined training flights with the ROKAF's 151st and152nd Fighter squadrons. This training on and around the Korean peninsulaenhanced interoperability between the two air forces. Pilots from bothnations were able to share tactics and learn from each other, increasing thelethality of the ironclad US-ROK alliance.

An air-to-air view of three F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft of the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing en route to Saudi Arabia for Operation Desert Shield. The aircraft is carrying AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, an AN/ALQ-131 electronic countermeasures (ECM) pod and external fuel tanks. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Unknown

DF-SC-85-02463. Country: Unknown

An air-to-air right side view of an F-15 Eagle aircraft assigned to the 49th Tactical Fighter Wing during a training mission out of Holloman Air Force Base. State: New Mexico (NM) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An F-16 Fighting Falcon from the Colorado Air National Guard in flight over Brazil during Exercise CRUZEX V in Brazil.

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle assigned to the 389th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, receives fuel from a KC-10 Extender assigned to the 908th Expeditionary Air refueling Squadron, within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Feb. 18, 2023. The 908th EARS delivers fuel for U.S. and partner nation forces, extending the reach and combat airpower dominance to the region.

DF-ST-87-03766. Country: West Germany (FRG)

DF-ST-87-12347. Subject Operation/Series: RECONNAISSANCE AIR MEET '86 Base: Bergstrom Air Force Base State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

F-16 Fighting Falcon US Air Force

An air-to-air, underside view of an F/A-18C Hornet from Strike Fighter Squadron 136 (VFA-136) during flight operations off the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN-69) in the Persian Gulf. The aircraft is armed with an AGM-62 Walleye missile. Country: Unknown

050614-N-0000I-002. Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

An F-4G Phantom II Wild Weasel electronic warfare aircraft of the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing, George Air Force Base, Calif., flies on a mission in support of Operation Desert Storm. The aircraft is armed with AGM-88 high-speed anti-radar air-to-surface missiles.. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Unknown

DF-ST-87-03767. Country: West Germany (FRG)

Air-to-air left side view of an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft armed with an AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air (AAM) missile. Base: Nellis Air Force Base State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

980407-F-7910D-002. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH 1998 Country: Saudi Arabia (SAU) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon, assigned to the 18th Aggressor Squadron, Eielson Air Force Base, receives fuel from a 92nd Air Refueling Wing KC-135 Stratotanker above the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex during a training sortie for RED FLAG-Alaska 22-2, June 22, 2022. The 18th Aggressor Squadron supports RFA by sharing its knowledge of adversarial tactics, techniques, and procedures to participating units, ensuring the United States and its allies receive the best air combat training possible.

An F-16E from the 162nd Fighter Wing maneuvers during a training mission out of Tucson International Airport, Arizona.

An F-16C Fighting Falcon Block 52 aircraft from the 157th Fighter Squadron, 169th Fighter Wing, McEntire Air National Guard Station, South Carolina, in flight. The aircraft is armed with AGM-88 HARM's (high-speed anti-radiation missile), AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles and AIM-120 AMRAAM's (advanced medium-range air-to-air missile). Country: Unknown

010813-F-7910D-010. Base: Buckley Air Force Base State: Colorado (CO) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: Air Combat Command

Right side medium shot, aerial view, of a USAF F-16 from the 354th Fighter Wing, 18th Fighter Squadron, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, flying over snow capped mountains. Base: Eielson Air Force Base State: Alaska (AK) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An air-to-air underside view of an 18th Tactical Fighter Wing F-15 Eagle aircraft armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-7 Sparrow missiles during Team Spirit '86. Subject Operation/Series: TEAM SPIRIT '86 Country: South Korea

F-16C Fighting Falcons assigned to the 64th Aggressor Squadron refuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 50th Air Refueling Squadron, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, before participating in a Red Flag-Nellis 22-3 training mission at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, July 21, 2022. Red Flag-Nellis 22-3 provides realistic combat training that saves lives while increasing combat effectiveness.

An F-16 from the 169th Fighter Wing in South Carolina departs after refueling from the boom of a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 134th Air Refueling Wing. The 134th Air Refueling Wing celebrated the centennial anniversary of in-flight refueling on June 27, 2023, by performing two flyovers and a total of seven in-flight refuelings in the skies over Tennessee.

An F-16 Falcon from the Portugese Air Force, prepares to refuel from a McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey, KC-10 Extender (Partially shown) while deployed to a forward location in the European theatre. This mission is in direct support of Joint Task Force Noble Anvil. Subject Operation/Series: NOBLE ANVIL Country: Unknown

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