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Military Aircraft In Action

A collection of military aircraft including bombers, fighters, and transport planes in flight during exercises, showcasing dynamic aerial maneuvers against diverse skies.

U.S. Airmen with the 37th Airlift Squadron fly over Chièvres Air Base with their C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, during a Landing Zone Safety Officer training, in Chièvres, Belgium, Feb. 15, 2024. Army
U.S. Airmen with the 37th Airlift Squadron fly over Chièvres Air Base with their C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, during a Landing Zone Safety Officer training, in Chièvres, Belgium, Feb. 15, 2024. Army
253 assets in this story
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A Boeing Stearman PT-13, assigned to the Commemorative Air Force Historical Museum, conducts pattern work over the airfield at the 180th Fighter Wing, Aug. 16, 2022, in Swanton, Ohio. The 180FW is a component of the Ohio National Guard whose primary purpose is to provide capabilities to achieve state and national priorities. (Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Beth Holliker)
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Airmen assigned to the Air National Guards 181st Intelligence Wing perform Special Patrol Infiltration Exfiltration System training on a UH60 Blackhawk May 15, 2013, at Camp Atterbury in Edinburgh, Ind.. Members of the 181st Security Forces Squadron participated in a multiagency law enforcement training event to promote better communication between agencies and allow for additional skill sets directly related to the Air National Guard's missions of homeland security and domestic operations.
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A group of U.S. Army and European Paratroopers conduct an AIrborne jump out of a C-130 aircraft during Exrcise Falcon Leap onto Ginkelse Heide Drop Zone, Arnhem, Netherlands., Sep. 14, 2022. More than 1000 Paratroopers from all over the world, 13 different nationalities, multiple airdrops per day, and training with each other equipment for two weeks. this is NATO's largest technical airborne exercise
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A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II flies over San Marcos, Texas, May 28, 2022. The A-10 is assigned to the A-10 Demonstration Team, which is a single-ship demonstration team that travels across the United States, as well as internationally, to highlight the combat capabilities of the A-10 and the U.S. Air Force.
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France, Etretat, Airshow of Alpha Jet aircrafts of Patrouille de France(French Acrobatic Patrol)
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An aircrew with the Wisconsin National Guards 1st Battalion, 147th Aviation Regiment operates a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter Jan. 3, 2024, at Fort McCoy, Wis. Members of the unit regularly complete training operations at Fort McCoy and the unit also supports numerous training events at the installation each year. According to the Army fact sheet for the Black Hawk, its mission is to provide air assault, general support, aeromedical evacuation, command and control, and special operations support to combat, stability, and support operations. The UH-60 also is the Armys utility tactical transport helicopter. The versatile helicopter has enhanced the overall mobility of the Army due to dramatic improvements in troop capacity and cargo lift capability over the years as well.
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An air-to-air underside view of two F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 51st Fighter Wing flying in tight formation. The aircraft are armed with AGM-65 Maverick air-to-surface missiles and AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. Base: Osan Air Base Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)
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A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots compete in Hawgsmoke 2022 at Saylor Creek in Idaho, Sept 8, 2022. Hawgsmoke is a biennial USAF bombing, missile, and tactical gunnery competition for A-10 Thunderbolt II units which provides unique training.
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F-14A Tomcat aircraft and A-6E Intruder aircraft from Carrier Air Wing 17 (CVW-17 fly in formation toward the crowd upon their arrival over the air station. The fighter and medium attack squadrons of CVW-17 are returning to Oceana following their deployment to the Persian Gulf region aboard the aircraft carrier USS SARATOGA (CV-60) for Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORMDESERT SHIELD Base: Naval Air Station, Oceana State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor conducts a heritage flight during in the 2022 Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Air Show at MCAS Miramar, San Diego, California, Sept. 24, 2022. The F-22 Raptor is the Air Forces fifth-generation fighter aircraft. Its combination of stealth, supercruise, maneuverability, and integrated avionics, coupled with improved supportability, represents an exponential leap in warfighting capabilities. 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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PHILIPPINE SEA (June 21, 2022) Sailors on a rigid-hull inflatable boat sail towards a simulated casualty as an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter, assigned to the Chargers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 14, conducts search and rescue (SAR) jumps during a search and rescue drill for the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Abraham Lincoln Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability through alliances and partnerships while serving as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
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Visit from Prince Bernhard on the open day in the airbase Deelen, also his 60th birthday. Impressions of the flight show of the red devils demo team.
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Jon Melby, piloting his Pitts S-1B Muscle Bi-Plane, performs aerobatics during the 2022 Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Air Show at MCAS Miramar, San Diego, California, Sept. 24, 2022. Melby has been performing at air shows since 2001. 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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U.S Air Force Capt. Kristin BEO Wolfe, F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team Commander, flies alongside Lt. Col. Greg Anders (Ret), in his P-51 Val Halla during a Heritage Team flight at the Oregon International Airshow in McMinnville, Ore., Aug. 20, 2022. The Air Force Heritage Flight Foundation provides dramatic flying displays, pairing modern aircraft with fighter aircraft from the WWII, Korea and Vietnam-era planes in a dramatic display of our nation's air power history.
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A C-130H Hercules with the 169th Airlift Squadron, Illinois Air National Guard, performs air drop maneuvers in Peoria, Illinois, Sept. 10, 2022. The airdrop demonstration was conducted in conjunction with Family Day at the 182nd Airlift Wing.
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Four planes (clockwise) - a P-51 Mustang, F-86 Sabre, F-4 Phantom and A-10 Thunderbolt break over Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, for the Air Combat Command heritage flight during the 2009 Aviation Nation open house. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Kevin J. Gruenwald)
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The Red Bull Air Force Team conducts an aerial demonstration during the 2022 Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Air Show at MCAS Miramar, San Diego, California, Sept. 24, 2022. The Red Bull Air Force Team is comprised of accomplished and experienced aviation experts who specialize in highly-coordinated aerial jump demonstrations. 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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More than 600 Idaho Army National Guard Soldiers, joined by Soldiers from the Montana, Oregon, Ohio and South Carolina Army National Guards, have been training in Fort Bliss, Texas, since mobilizing from Gowen Field in early August. The task force, Task Force Rattler, will deploy to Southwest Asia later this month in support of Operation Spartan Shield, where they will rotate out with 250 Soldiers from the Idaho Army National Guard as well as Soldiers from the Montana, Nevada, Oregon and Florida Army National Guards. Each rotation is approximately 12 months. Soldiers from the 118th Infantry Regiment from South Carolina National Guard and the 285th Medical Company from the Ohio National Guard are also part of Task Force Rattler, which provide the task force the ability to execute combined arms maneuvers. The intense training at Fort Bliss consisted of long hours with day and night combined arms maneuver missions with the Idaho Army National Guard shooting 120mm mortar rounds from M113 A
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A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III flies over parachuted candy dropped from a C-54 Skymaster in Spanish Fork, Utah May 21, 2022. The candy drop was part of a two-day event in celebration of the legendary World War II pilot Col. Gail Halverson. Halverson was best known as the Berlin Candy Bomber or Uncle Wiggly Wings for dropping candy to German children during the Berlin Airlift from 1948-49.
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U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 fly above the amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli (LHA 7), while underway, June 10, 2022. Marines with VMFA-121, based out of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, are conducting flight operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.
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020924-M-1103B-006. Subject Operation/Series: COPE SOUTH 2002 Base: Chittagong Air Base Country: Bangladesh (BGD) Scene Major Command Shown: VMGR-152
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Four 1st Air Cavalry Brigade UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters depart the landing zone after executing a multi-national air assault with British and North Macedonian ground forces. U.S. Air Force C-130 aircraft fly above the drop zone after delivering Italian paratroopers in the very first airborne training operation held in North Macedonia. Exercise Swift Response 2022 is an annual multinational training exercise, which takes place in Eastern Europe, the Arctic High North, Baltics, and Balkans from May 2-20, 2022. It aims to present combat credible Army forces in Europe and Africa and enhance readiness by building airborne interoperability with Allies and Partners and the integration of joint service partnerships.
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Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress "Sally B" with a B-25 Mitchell during the Liberation Flying Party on Rotterdam-Zestienhoven.
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Detachment 101, an enigmatic Allied intelligence and special operations unit during World War II, played a pivotal role in the Burmese theater. Operating deep in the jungles of Burma, their mission was multi-faceted, encompassing guerrilla warfare, espionage, and sabotage against Japanese forces. Comprising a diverse group of individuals, from OSS agents to indigenous fighters, they effectively disrupted Japanese supply lines, gathered critical intelligence, and supported resistance movements.
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DF-SC-85-09673. Country: Unknown
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Eighteen F-14A Tomcat aircraft from Carrier Air Wing 3 (CVW-3) and Carrier Air Wing 17 (CVW-17) fly in formation as they arrive over the air station. The squadrons of CVW-3 and CVW-17 are returning to their home stations after being deployed to the Persian Gulf region aboard the aircraft carriers USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67) and USS SARATOGA (CV-60), respectively, for Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD DESERT STORM Base: Naval Air Station, Oceana State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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Madrid, 10/12/2019. Military parade on the Twelfth of October, for Hispanic Heritage Day. Photo: Maya balanya ARCHDC.
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A Talos surface-to-air guided missile heads downrange after being launched from the guided missile cruiser USS OKLAHOMA CITY (CG 5) at the Pacific Missile Test Range. This is the final firing of the Talos missile by the United States Navy. (Fourth view in a series of five). Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)
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The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, known as the Thunderbirds, F-16 Fighting Falcons rehearse May 6, 2022, on Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. The pilots perform approximately 30 maneuvers in a demonstration highlighting the capabilities of the F-16 aircraft.
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U.S. Army Paratroopers assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, conduct airborne operation after exiting a U.S. Air Force 86th Air Wing C-130 Hercules aircraft at Juliet Drop Zone, Pordenone, Italy, Oct. 5, 2022. The 173rd Airborne Brigade is the U.S. Army Contingency Response Force in Europe, capable of projecting ready forces anywhere in the U.S. European, Africa or Central Commands' areas of responsibility.
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Airmen from the 96th Airlift Squadron and 27th Aerial Port Squadron conduct air drops on Warrens drop zone at Fort McCoy Wis., June 29, 2022.The units are part of the 934th Airlift Wing at Minneapolis-St Paul Joint Air Reserve Station, Minn., operating C-130 Hercules aircraft.
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U.S. Airman with the 492nd Fighter Squadron, 48th Fighter Wing from Lakenheath, United Kingdom fly an F15 Eagle over the Grafenwoehr Training Area during exercise Dynamic Front 22 at Grafenwoehr, Germany, July 14, 2022. Dynamic Front 22 is the premier U.S. led NATO and partner integrated exercise focused on fires interoperability throughout the U.S. European Command Theater.
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An Air Force pilot guides an A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft over the airspace on South Post at Fort McCoy, Wis., on Oct. 12, 2022, as part of training operations at installation. Several A-10s completed taking off and landing at Young Air Assault Strip on South Post and flying routes over the installation. According to the Air Force fact sheet for the A-10C, the Thunderbolt II is the first Air Force aircraft specially designed for close air support of ground forces. They are simple, effective and survivable twin-engine jet aircraft that can be used against light maritime attack aircraft and all ground targets, including tanks and other armored vehicles. The A-10C offers excellent maneuverability at low airspeeds and altitude while maintaining a highly accurate weapons-delivery platform. They can loiter near battle areas for extended periods of time, are capable of austere landings and operate under 1,000-foot ceilings (303.3 meters) with 1.5-mile (2.4 kilometers) visibility. Additionall
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Marines from Brazil, Ecuador, Paraguay, the United States of America, and Uruguay conduct static line and freefall parachute training from UH-1Y Venom helicopters with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 773, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Forces Reserve in support of Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force UNITAS LXIII, at Santa Cruz Air Force Base, Rio de Janeiro, Sept. 6, 2022. Integrated air and parachute operations enable interoperability and the sharing of knowledge between partner nation forces supporting exercise UNITAS. UNITAS is the world's longest-running annual multinational maritime exercise that focuses on enhancing interoperability among multiple nations and joint forces during littoral and amphibious operations in order to build on existing regional partnerships and create new enduring relationships that promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the U.S. Southern Commands area of responsibility.
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DM-ST-86-08435. Base: Mcas, Cherry Point State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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General Dynamics F-16s of 323 Squadron approach the runway of the Leeuwarden airbase on the day that the Squadron has again received the operational status.
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Salvage Engineering Response Team - Empire and Venice - 26-HK-354-69. Venice. Hurricane Katrina
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Four F-22 Raptors assigned to Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, arrive for Red Flag-Nellis 22-3 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, July 6, 2022. The 414th Combat Training Squadron conducts Red Flag exercises to provide aircrews the experience of multiple, intensive air combat sorties in the safety of a training environment.
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RAF Spitfire PRX1X in D Day markings
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SKYROS, Greece (May 24, 2022) An R80D SkyRaider Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) piloted by U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Luis Chicassorto, , a motor transport operator with Combat Logistics Battalion 6, currently attached to Task Force 61/2, participating in exercise Alexander The Great 2022 in Greece on May 24, 2022. Task Force 61/2 is deployed 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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040812-F-4441R-040. Base: Baghdad Country: Iraq (IRQ)
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U.S. Airmen with the 37th Airlift Squadron perform a training low cost low altitude (LCLA) airdrop from a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, on Chièvres Air Base, Belgium, Feb. 15, 2024. The LCLA airdrop is accomplished by dropping 80-500 pounds bundles with pre-packed expendable parachutes as a routine training for aircrews that support contingency operations. Army
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X-45A in flight with F-18 #846 chase aircraft, during first GPS-guided weapon demonstration flight.
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A Hellenic armed forces aircraft flies in formation U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules during exercise Stolen Cerberus IX with Greece, May 6, 2022. This exercise enhances bilateral training partnerships between Hellenic armed forces and U.S. military members.
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PACIFIC OCEAN (April 25,2013) Aircraft from the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group fly in formation during an air power demo above the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group, consisting of Stennis, CVW-9, Destroyer Squadron 21 and guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG-53), is returning from an eight-month deployment to the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility.
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A U.S. Army CH-47 F Chinook Helicopter, assigned to 3rd Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment, drops a team of paratroopers over the Drop Zone during Leapfest 2016 at the University of Rhode Island, West Kingston, R.I., August 6, 2016. Leapfest is the largest, longest standing, international static line parachute training event and competition hosted by the 56th Troop Command, Rhode Island Army National Guard to promote high level technical training and esprit de corps within the International Airborne community.
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An Alaska Army National Guard CH-47F Chinook helicopter transports a Small Unit Support Vehicle during sling-load training over Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Feb. 28, 2024. U.S. Army Soldiers from the Alaska Army National Guard Aviation Battalion conducted the sling-loaded training to enhance their ability to operate in Alaskas harsh environment. (Alaska National Guard
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U.S. Soldiers with Palehorse Troop, 4th Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment conduct training with an RQ-11 Raven, a Small Unmanned Aircraft System, at the 7th Army Training Commands Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Jan. 10, 2023. 2CR provides V Corps with a lethal and agile force capable of rapid deployment throughout the European theater in order to assure allies, deter adversaries, and when ordered, defend the NATO alliance.
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U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Thunderbirds perform an air show after the U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 2022 Graduation Ceremony at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., May 25, 2022. Nine-hundred-seventy cadets crossed the stage to become the Air Force/Space Forces newest second lieutenants.