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Military Aircraft in Action

Images of military transport aircraft in various scenarios, including takeoff and landing, highlighting their robust design against dynamic skies.

A German Air Force Transall C-160 taxis on the runway at Kunduz Airport, Afghanistan. The C-160 arrived to drop off and pick up troops.

An Alenia C-27J Spartan of the Chadian Air Force in flight over Italy.

A B-52H Stratofortress sits parked on the Alternate Parking Apron prior to takeoff May 21, 2022, at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota. The aircraft undergo pre-flight checks regularly in order to eliminate any delay in their takeoff.

A KC-135R Stratotanker takes off during a U.S. Air Force Weapons School Integration exercise at Nellis AFB, Nevada, Dec. 5, 2022. The primary role of the KC-135 is to provide aerial refueling to the U.S. Air Force and its allies.

A U.S. Air Force B-52H bomber.

A C-17 Globemaster III assigned to the 911th Airlift Wing prepares to takeoff from the Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station, Pennsylvania, June 2, 2022. The C-17 is capable of rapid strategic delivery of troops and all types of cargo to main operating bases or directly to forward bases in the deployment area.

A C-17 Globemaster III from the 17th Airlift Squadron, 433rd Air Wing, Charleston AFB, South Carolina, taxis in at the airport to deliver bottled water and Meals Ready To Eat (MREs) after Hurricane Marilyn devastated the island in 1995. Base: Saint Thomas State: Virgin Islands (VI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DN-ST-84-05111. Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

An air-to-air right side view of the forward section of a US Air Force NKC-135A Stratotanker Airborne Laser Laboratory (ALL) aircraft over the Pacific Missile Test Center range. The plane will be used to test targets. Base: Naval Air Station, Point Mugu State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An air-to-air right side view of a C-5 Galaxy aircraft, in a camouflage paint scheme, flying over Lake Berryessa. State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

KC-135 Stratotankers assigned to MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., prepare for launch as part of an "Elephant Walk on Jan. 20, 2012. Personnel from MacDill AFB’s total force integration, 6th Air Mobility Wing and 927th Air Reserve Wing, executed the mission and launched eight aircraft as part of the event. "Elephant Walk" is a historic, uniquely Air Force term that describes the nose-to-tail, single-file taxi movements of the aircraft synonymous with the nose-to-tail trail of lumbering elephants.

Airmen assigned to the 732nd Air Mobility Squadron de-ice a C-17 Globemaster III out of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wa., while conducting flight operations at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Jan. 25, 2018. During the harsh Alaskan winters, de-icing keeps aircraft operational by removing layers of snow, ice and frost that could adversely affect flights.

A Patrol Wing 2 P-3 Orion aircraft takes off from the airstrip. Base: Naval Air Station, Barbers Point State: Hawaii (HI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

IL-38N Novella anti-ship airplane of the Russian Navy.

A US Navy E-2C Hawkeye taxis down the runway after landing at Roswell Industrial Air Center during the annual air defense exercise. Subject Operation/Series: ROVING SANDS '95 Base: Roswell State: New Mexico (NM) Country: United States Of America (USA)

detail Military Fixed Wing Aviat Airplanes Convair B-36 Peacemaker USAF U.S. Air Force propellers wing

A C-160 transport aircraft of the German Air Force.

A Belgian air force C-130J Super Hercules takes off from the Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., flight line for a training mission during Red Flag 11-2, Feb. 3, 2011. Red Flag is a realistic combat training exercise involving the air forces of the United States and its allies.

An air-to-air right side view of a C-23 Sherpa aircraft. Country: Unknown

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - MAY 7, 2021: Avia parade in Moscow. Ilyushin Il-76 multi-purpose four-engined strategic airlifters fly in the sky on parade of Victory in World War II in Moscow, Russia MOSCOW, RUSSIA - MAY 7, 2021: Avia parade in Moscow. Ilyushin Il-76 multi-purpose four-engined strategic airlifters fly in the sky on parade of Victory in World War II in Moscow, Russia Copyright: xZoonar.com/AlexanderxStrelax 18317063

A C-5 air cargo plane opens to reveal a shipping container with payload flight hardware for the Third Hubble Space Telescope Servicing Mission (SM-3A). The hardware will be taken to the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility for final testing and integration of payload elements. Mission STS-103 is a "call-up" mission which is being planned due to the need to replace portions of the Hubble's pointing system, the gyros, which have begun to fail. Although Hubble is operating normally and conducting its scientific observations, only three of its six gyroscopes are working properly. The gyroscopes allow the telescope to point at stars, galaxies and planets. The STS-103 crew will not only replace gyroscopes, it will also replace a Fine Guidance Sensor and an older computer with a new enhanced model, an older data tape recorder with a solid state digital recorder, a failed spare transmitter with a new one, and degraded insulation on the telescope with new thermal insulation. The crew will also

A Royal Canadian Air Force Lockheed Hercules aircraft in a blizzard in Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada

A C-130H Hercules from the 302nd Airlift Wing, Colorado Springs Air Force Reserve, lands at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas in order to refuel and refill the Modular Airborne Firefighting System (MAFFS), April 28, 2011. MAFFS is capable of dispensing 3,000 gallons of water or fire retardant in under 5 seconds. Wildfires have spread across various parts of Texas and have burned more than 1.5 million acres since January.

A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker sits on the flight-line at the 121st Air Refueling Wing, August 2, 2022. Maintainers are crucial to the success of the Air Force mission.

NASAs C130 Hercules sits facing the runway in St. Johns Canada. Thats the staging area for the airborne part of the NAAMES research campaign. --- The b a href= http //naames.larc.nasa.gov/ rel= nofollow North Atlantic Aerosols and Marine Ecosystems Study /a /b (NAAMES) is a five year investigation to resolve key processes controlling ocean system function, their influences on atmospheric aerosols and clouds and their implications for climate. Michael Starobin joined the NAAMES field campaign on behalf of Earth Expeditions and NASA Goddard Space Flight Centers Office of Communications. He presented stories about the important, multi-disciplinary research being conducted by the NAAMES team, with an eye towards future missions on the NASA drawing board. This is a NAAMES photo essay put together by Starobin, a collection of 49 photographs and captions.

A right side view of an A-6E Intruder aircraft in flight. Country: Unknown

DC-8 lifts off from Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, Calif., at sunset.

A C-5M Super Galaxy from Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, is parked on the flightline, May 5, 2022, on Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. The C-5s primary mission is to transport cargo and personnel across the globe for the DoD and is one of the displays for the 2022 Legacy of Liberty Air Show and Open House.

Boeing 727

U.S. citizens living in Haiti evacuate from Troussaint Louverture International Airport, on board a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III on Jan. 18, 2010. An earthquake devastated much of the capital city, Port au Prince.

A U.S. Air Force C-17 aircraft arrives at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California carrying NASA's Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport, or InSight, spacecraft designed to land on Mars. InSight was developed and built by Lockheed-Martin Space Systems in Denver, Colorado, and is scheduled for liftoff is May 5, 2018. InSight is the first mission to explore the Red Planet's deep interior. It will investigate processes that shaped the rocky planets of the inner solar system including Earth.

USA, South Dakota, Rapid City, South Dakota Air and Space Museum, USAF B-29 and B-1B bombers

Hitching a ride on the same B-52 mother ship that once launched X-15 research aircraft in the 1960s, NASA's X-43A scramjet and it's Pegasus booster rocket performed a captive carry evaluation flight from Edwards Air Force Base, California, January 26, 2004. The X-43 and it's booster remained mated to the B-52 throughout this mission, intended to check its readiness for launch. The hydrogen-fueled aircraft is autonomous and has a wingspan of approximately 5 feet, measures 12 feet long and weighs about 2,800 pounds.

A view of a C-47 Skytrain aircraft parked near the base control tower during ceremonies marking the 40th anniversary of the beginning of the Berlin Airlift. Skytrain aircraft were used extensively to move material during the airlift. Base: Rhein-Main Air Base Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)

Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska June 23, 2009 - A B-52H Stratofortress takes off from Eielson Air Force Base during Northern Edge 2009.

An Ilyushin IL-76 Cargo Aircraft at Camp Bastion, Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

Royal Air Force Lockheed Hercules military transport aircraft, in flight, Norfolk, England, january

A left side view of a C-141 assigned to the 437th Military Airlift Wing, on ground. Base: Charleston Air Force Base State: South Carolina (SC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Tu-95MS strategic bomber of the Russian Air Force taking off, Russia.

A left rear view of a C-5A Galaxy aircraft taking off during exercise PROUD PHANTOM. Subject Operation/Series: PROUD PHANTOM Base: Cairo West Country: Egypt (EGY)

A-10 Thunderbolt IIs from across the globe arrive at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho, to compete in Hawgsmoke 2022, Sept 7, 2022. Hawgsmoke is a biennial USAF bombing, missile, and tactical gunnery competition for A-10 Thunderbolt II units which provides unique training.

An E-3C Airborne Warning & Control System aircraft assigned to the 552nd Air Control Wing taxis by C-17 Globemaster III aircraft at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, Feb. 16, 2023, while transporting participants for Accelerating the Legacy 2023. Accelerating the Legacy is a three-day Black History Month aviation heritage event that honors the past, develops the present, and promotes the future of aviation.

RC-135U Combat Sent and RC-135V/W Rivet Joint Primary function: RC-135U Ñ electronic recon- naissance and surveillance; RC-135V/W Ñ recon- naissance. Speed: RC-135U 403 mph; RC-135V/W 500 mph. Dimensions: RC-135U wingspan 131 ft. 5 in.; length 140 ft. 1 in.; height 41 ft. 8 in.; RC-135V/W wingspan 131 ft.; length 135 ft.; height 42 ft. Range: 4,000 miles unrefueled. Crew: Up to 27.

Demonstration flight of the military transport aircraft Airbus A400M Atlas. ILA Berlin Air Show 2024 BERLIN - JUNE 06, 2024: Demonstration flight of the military transport aircraft Airbus A400M Atlas. ILA Berlin Air Show 2024. Copyright: xZoonar.com/SergeyxKohlx 21909171

The sun rises over a B-52H Stratofortress parked on the flight line at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, Aug. 23, 2022. The B-52H Stratofortress can carry military assets with worldwide precision navigation capability.

Moscow, Monino, Russia, the plane of war an a parking Moscow, Monino, Russia, the plane of war an a parking Copyright: xZoonar.com/AlexanderxStrelax 3924405

A group of four KC-135s from the 185th Air Refueling Wing, Iowa Air National Guard, taxi prior to take off from the Sioux City regional airport.The aircraft are departing for a local air refueling mission. Sioux City is home for the 185th Air Refueling Wing.

C-130 Hercules Hill Air Force Base Utah USA

A C-17 Globemaster III assigned to the 911th Airlift Wing flies out of the Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station, Pennsylvania, April 7, 2022. The C-17 is capable of rapid strategic delivery of troops and all types of cargo to main operating bases or directly to forward bases in the deployment area.

A KC-135R Stratotanker from the 134th Air Refueling Wing is towed to the hangar at the 134th Air Refueling Wing, McGhee Tyson ANG Base, Tennessee. The grand opening of the new hangar was held on Jun. 3, with Airmen and community members present for the event, and has the capability of housing the new next-generation air refueling aircraft, the KC-46 Pegasus, which the unit hopes to acquire in the future.

A400M Atlas military transport aircraft of the Spanish Air Force comes in for landing.

Victoria International Airport, aircraft at sunrise, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

A C-17 Globemaster III assigned to the 911th Airlift Wing sits on the flight line at the Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station, Pennsylvania, Feb. 3, 2024. The design characteristics of the C-17 give it the capability to operate into and out of short runways and austere airfields carrying large payloads. Air Force

An A-50U AWACS of the Russian Air Force parked on the tarmac in Kubinka, Russia.

An air-to-air view of a C-17 Globemaster III from the 437th Airlift Wing, Charleston AFB, South Carolina. Base: Isle Of Palms State: South Carolina (SC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A C-17 Globemaster III assigned to the 911th Airlift Wing flies over the Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station, Pennsylvania, June 2, 2022. The C-17 is capable of rapid strategic delivery of troops and all types of cargo to main operating bases or directly to forward bases in the deployment area.

An Air Force C-5 Galaxy transport plane opens its nose section at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida to deliver the GOES-R spacecraft for launch processing. The GOES series are weather satellites operated by NOAA to enhance forecasts. The spacecraft is to launch aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket in November.

A U.S. Air Force C-5M Super Galaxy conducts touch and go training during a flight at Travis Air Force Base, California, Feb. 10, 2023. Touch and goes involve landing on a runway and taking off again without coming to a full stop. This training maneuver is used to maximize pilot proficiency.

A KC-135E Stratotanker aircraft of the 128th Air Refueling Group, Wisconsin National Guard, taxis out to the runway 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 Base: Moron Air Base State: Sevilla Country: Spain (ESP)

DF-ST-89-02041. Country: Unknown

Illinois Air National Guard C-130H takes to the runway at Hohn Air Base, Germany.

A C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft takes off at Karshi-Khanabad Air Base, Uzbekistan, on Feb. 12, 2005, during Operation Enduring Freedom operations there.

DN-SP-04-08644. Country: Unknown

An-140 transport aircraft of the Russian Air Force prepares for landing, Russia.

A WC-130J Super Hercules aircraft assigned to the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., takes off June 2, 2022. The 53rd WRS flew its first data collection mission of the Atlantic hurricane season into Invest 91L off the Yucatan Peninsula.

A long range view of the main gate with the base sign and a static C-130 Hercules. Base: Little Rock Air Force Base State: Arkansas (AR) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Alaska Air National Guardsmen with the 176th Wing showcase their HC-130J Combat King II aircraft to spectators attending the 2022 Great Alaska Aviation Gathering at the Palmer Municipal Airport in Palmer, Alaska, May 7. The Great Alaska Aviation Gathering is an annual two-day event that features indoor and outdoor static aircraft, and national and international exhibitions that promote general aviation in Alaska. (Alaska National Guard photo by 1st Lt. Balinda ONeal)

An air-to-air left side view of a P-3C Orion aircraft with a Harpoon AGM-84A missile on its wing, during tests on the Pacific Missile Test Center (PMTC) range. Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

A U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress sits on the flightline July 9, 2022 at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. The B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range, heavy bomber that can perform a variety of missions. The bomber is capable of flying at high subsonic speeds at altitudes of up to 50,000 feet (15,166.6 meters).

Three KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft from the 127th Wing, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan, taxi for takeoff during a surge exercise on July 27, 2022. The week-long increase in flying July 25-29, 2022 was designed to bring full-time and drill-status guardsmen together for maximum training exposure in a short amount of time.

Military aircraft C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft on runway

DF-ST-87-00813. Country: West Germany (FRG)

A plane taking off from Rhein-Main-Airport, Frankfurt Airport, in the evening light, Frankfurt am Main, Hesse, Germany, Europe, Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Hesse, Germany, Europe

Portside view, looking up, of an E-2C Hawkeye, Group II, from the Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW-1131) "Black Eagles," from Naval Air Station (NAS) Point Mugu, California, in flight over the Persian Gulf. Country: Persian Gulf

Israeli Air Force 1124N Sea Scan at Nevatim Air Base, Israel.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Haden Fullam, A-10C Thunderbolt II Demonstration Team commander and pilot, flies over Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, June 1, 2022. Fullam is responsible for administrative oversight of the 11-man team, as well as flying demonstrations and heritage flights at over 20 airshows around the country annually.

Two LC-130 "Skibirds" with the New York Air National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing sit on the ramp on Oct. 18, 2016, shortly before departing for McMurdo Station, Antarctica. This is the 29th season that the unit will participate in Operation Deep Freeze, the military component of the U.S. Antarctic Program, which is managed by the National Science Foundation.

Airplanes in a row at an air base, C-17 Globemaster III, US Air Force

DN-SC-87-13193. Base: Naval Air Station, Norfolk State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An Aero Spacelines B-377 Super Guppy sits on the flightline at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas March 3, 2017. The Super Guppy, operated by NASA, has a cargo space that is 25 feet in diameter and 111 feet long.

Low angle view of a plane in a sky with clouds; Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, England

The AC-130J Ghostrider gunship is on display at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, Aug. 17, 2022. Unlike previous variants, the AC-130J can travel vast distances and reach the Indo-Pacific. The J variant is also equipped with advanced avionics, and the ability to carry long range munitions on its wings.

DN-ST-88-02182. Country: Unknown

A P-3 Orion anti-submarine aircraft of Patrol Squadron 11 (VP-11) taxis into position for take-off during a New England snow storm. Base: Naval Air Station, Brunswick State: Maine(ME) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Air to air left side, view of an Air Mobility Command's 437th Airlift Wing C-17 Globemaster III as it flies over the ramp and runways of Charleston, South Carolina. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Country: Unknown

IL-76MD military transport aircraft of the Russian Air Force over Russia.

C295M aircraft of the Portuguese Air Force.

C-17 Globemaster III aircraft of the 437th Airlift Wing from Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, sit parked on the ramp at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, Sept. 29, 2022. Planes, equipment and Airmen came to Wright-Patt to get out of the way of Hurricane Ian which had crossed Florida and turned North.

Vehicle of the ground control in front of a Antonov 124, Munich Airport, Bavaria, Germany, Europe

Romanian Air Force An-26 transport aircraft, Ostrava, Czech Republic.

A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III operated by the 3rd Wing flies over Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska during Arctic Thunder Open House July, 31, 2022. The Pacific Air Forces C-17 demonstration team flies the newest, most flexible cargo aircraft in the United States Air Force, embodying the Air Forces global reach mission.

WAAAM GLIDER

A C-17 Globemaster III takes off after being loaded with cargo by the 455th Expeditionary Aerial Port Squadron here Aug. 1, 2011. The 455 EAPS's mission is moving passengers and cargo all throughout Afghanistan. More than 80 percent of all people and supplies traveling through the country come through 455 EAPS.

B-52H in Flight

Russian Antonov AN-225 transport landing on the runway after a demonstration flight at the Abbotsford Air Show. Exact Date Shot Unknown. State: British Columbia (BC) Country: Canada (CAN)

An A-50U AWACS of the Russian Air Force taxiing.

A Boeing KC-135R from the 336th/452nd Air Mobility Wing based at March Air Reserve Base, California, parked on the ramp at Christchurch, New Zealand. The unit is flying in support of 452nd MAW (Military Airlift Wing)s, Lockheed C-141C Starlifter supporting Operation DEEP FREEZE 2001, resupply of McMurdo station in Antarctica. Subject Operation/Series: DEEP FREEZE 2001 Base: Christchurch State: Canterbury Country: New Zealand (NZL) Scene Major Command Shown: AMC

Nine LC130s with the 109th Airlift Wing conducted the units first ever Elephant Walk on September 10th 2022. An elephant walk is a United States Air Force term for thetaxiing of military aircraft in close formation; often employed to project air power through the rapid deployment of multiple aircraft at once.

NATO German Air Force Airbus A400M A German Air Force Airbus A400M during a NATO exercise: modern military transport aircraft in camouflage livery, taking off from a field airstrip, loaded with equipment and troops, mission coordination Copyright: xZoonar.com/ThomasxFuhrmannx 22601721

A Soviet AN-225 aircraft takes off during Airshow Canada '89. Subject Operation/Series: AIRSHOW CANADA '89 Base: Abbotsford State: British Columbia (BC) Country: Canada (CAN)

A C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron sits on the flightline at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Jan. 7, 2022. Heavy snowfall hit Yokota and the Kanto Plain, accumulating 10 centimeters of snow in the evening, a level unseen in the past four years.

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