Military Aircraft in Action

Images of military aircraft such as C-17s and C-130s during deployments and humanitarian missions, showcasing their role in military logistics.

Air National Guard C-17 transport plane during Exercise Air Defender 2023 in Wunstorf, Germany.

A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft assigned to the 437th Airlift Wing from Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, taxis after temporarily relocating to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, during Hurricane Ian Sept. 28, 2022. The 88th Air Base Wing Airmen provided strength through support as aircraft and aircrews from installations affected by the hurricane arrived seeking safety.

Airmen unload supplies and a forklift from a MC-130H Combat Talon II, at Sendai Airport, Japan on March 16, 2011. This is the first fixed-wing aircraft to land at the airport since an earthquake and tsunami crippled much of the Japanese eastern seaboard March 11. The opening of this runway to fixed-wing aircraft by the 320th Special Tactics Squadron and Japanese emergency management organizations provides a critical means of transporting fuel, equipment, food and other supplies to areas affected by the earthquake and tsunami.

3/4 Left front view of two C-141 Starlifters lined up on the flightline for deployment. The Starlifters will be used to airlift US Army soldiers and cargo to the training area near L'viv, Ukraine, for humanitarian and peacekeeping exercises. Subject Operation/Series: PEACE SHIELD '95 Base: Rhein-Main Air Base Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)

A C-5B Galaxy from the Air Force Reserve taxies past the fuel station in the evening light at Moffett Federal Airfield, Mountain View, California. Able to hold 51,150 gallons of fuel, a C-5 with a cargo load of 270,000 pounds can fly 2,150 nautical miles, offload, and fly to a second base 500 nautical miles away. Base: Moffett Federal Air Field State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: 129th Rescue Wing

Airmen from the 366th Fighter Wing, Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, and a C-130 aircrew from the 40th Airlift Squadron, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas load cargo as part of their redeoyment process at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, May 25, 2022 after participating in the Raging Gunfighter exercise. Raging Gunfighter is an Air Combat Command exercise designed to simulate operating a Lead Wing from an Austere Environment. The purpose of the exercise is to prepare the 366th Fighter Wing and its Airmen for potential future operations in accordance with the National Defense Strategy.

U.S Air Force C-130J loadmasters Staff Sergeant Trevor Humes (left) and Senior Airman Gordon Mursatt (right), assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron at Yokota Air Base, prepare for passengers during Red Flag 22-2 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, June 13, 2022. RF-A 22-2 provides realistic combat training in a simulated environment.

041021-F-9429S-003. Subject Operation/Series: CRISIS OUTLOOK 2004 Base: Phelps-Collins Angb, Alpena State: Michigan (MI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III sits waits on the flightline after delivering cargo to be processed by Airmen from the 621st Contingency Response Wing who are deployed in eastern Europe, April 11, 2022. The 621st Contingency Response Wing recently deployed Airmen as a Contingency Response Element to move resources in support of U.S. European Command operations.

Air National Guard C-17 transport plane during Exercise Air Defender 2023 in Wunstorf, Germany.

040227-F-9232S-164. Base: Mcchord Air Force Base State: Washington (WA) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: 127th Wing

020511-F-1166S-002. Base: Mcguire Air Force Base State: New Jersey (NJ) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-ST-86-08095. Base: Cairo West Country: Egypt (EGY)

U.S. Air Force KC-135's assigned to the 117th Air Refueling Wing are parked on the flightline at Sumpter Smith Joint National Guard Base, Alabama, Oct. 21, 2022. Photos of the aircraft were for general public affairs use.

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to Baker Battery, 321st Field Artillery Regiment (3-321 FAR), 18th Fires Brigade unload an M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System from a C-130 Hercules aircraft during a Latvian-led field artillery live-fire exercise, NAMEJS, at Liepāja, Latvia, Sept. 26, 2022. The 3-321 FAR is among other units assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, proudly working alongside NATO allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces to V Corps, Americas forward deployed corps in Europe.

Service members of Alaska Air National Guard's 176th Wing conduct an engine check on a C-17 Globemaster III prior to take off for Eielson Air Force Base, Sept. 21, 2022. Approximately 100 members of the Alaska Organized Militia, which is comprised of the Alaska National Guard, Alaska State Defense Force and Alaska Naval Militia, were activated following a disaster declaration issued Sept. 17 after the remnants of Typhoon Merbok caused dramatic flooding across more than 1,000 miles of Alaskan coastline. (Alaska National Guard photo by Victoria Granado)

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Peter Dunn, a loadmaster with the 167th Operations Support Group helps guide a high mobility vehicle onto a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft during an aircraft cargo loading training exercise, Martinsburg, West Virginia Shepherd Field, Apr. 10, 2021. Extra caution was used when guiding heavy equipment inside the plane to ensure safety and damage prevention.

A C-17 Globemaster III from the 62d Airlift Wing, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, taxis onto the runway during Exercise Rainier War 22B, at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho, Oct. 20, 2022. Rainier War is the 62d Airlift Wings most expansive exercise, where they deploy as the lead wing and provide command and control and airlift capabilities like airdrop and airland.

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.

030415-F-1631A-021. Base: Camp Sarafovo, Burgas State: Bourgas Country: Bulgaria (BGR)

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Tech Sgt. Mark Shertzer, 535th Airlift Squadron, watches engines of a C-17 Globemaster III during starting up here March 20. The supplies were delivered to Sendai Airport to be used for humanitarian assistance bringing relief to Japan after the earthquake and tsunami disaster.

A C-17 Globemaster III waits on the flightline after offloading cargo to be processed by Airmen from the 621st Contingency Response Wing who were deployed in eastern Europe, April 17, 2022. Alongside partner nations and allies, 621st Contingency Response Wing Airmen delivered cargo to operations in support of U.S. European Command.

A U.S. Air Force AC-130J Ghostrider gunship from the 1st Special Operations Wing, Hurburt Field, Florida taxis to the runway in preparation for departure from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio Sept. 29, 2022. Aircraft, equipment and Airmen were repositioned to WPAFB in preparation for possible impacts from Hurricane Ian.

030602-F-3354H-008. Base: Middletown State: Pennsylvania (PA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Airmen with 62nd Wing prepare to unload cargo out of a C-17 Globemaster III in preparation for Balikatan 23 at Subic Bay International Airport, April 2, 2023. Balikatan is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences.

220716-F-KO270-1034 MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, Hawaii (July 16, 2022) An AC-130J Ghostrider gunship from the 4th Special Operations Squadron lands at Marine Corps Base Hawaii to participate in Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022. Twenty-six nations, 38 ships, four submarines, more than 170 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 29 to Aug. 4 in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The worlds largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the worlds oceans. RIMPAC 2022 is the 28th exercise in the series that began in 1971.

A U.S. Air Force AC-130 Hercules gunship is directed to a parking spot on the ramp. U.S. forces are bringing in personnel, materiel and equipment to support Operation United Shield, which is the withdrawal of United Nations peacekeepers from Mogadishu, Somalia. Subject Operation/Series: UNITED SHIELD Base: Mombasa International Airport Country: Kenya (KEN)

An EC-130E Volant Solo aircraft of the 193rd Special Operations Group (Pennsylvania Air National Guard) taxis on the runway. The unit's primary mission is to broadcast tactical psychological operations messages over radio frequencies and standard television channels during contingencies or engagements. Base: Middletown State: Pennsylvania (PA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

041021-F-9429S-005. Subject Operation/Series: CRISIS OUTLOOK 2004 Base: Phelps-Collins Angb, Alpena State: Michigan (MI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 93rd Air Refueling Squadron, Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, sits on the flightline as an F-35 Lightning II soars overhead at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, during Operation Noble Eagle 22-4.2 Sept. 12, 2022. Noble Defender is an air defense operation designed to demonstrate the United States and Canada's ability to defend the approaches of North America from current and future cruise missile threats while integrating across domains with partners and allies.

A C-130H Hercules aircraft taxis during the joint service exercise OCEAN VENTURE '90. Subject Operation/Series: OCEAN VENTURE '90 State: Puerto Rico (PR) Country: United States Of America (USA)

980620-F-2171A-011. Base: Mcchord Air Force Base State: Washington (WA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft crew from the 21st Airlift Squadron, Travis Air Force Base (AFB), Calif., load U.S. Army equipment from Fort Bragg, N.C., in support of Haiti earthquake relief efforts, Jan. 27, 2010.

U.S. Air Force members with the 68th Airlift Squadron arrive with their C-5M Super Galaxy containing a Bradley Fighting Vehicle and an M1 Abrams for The Great Texas Airshow, Apr. 20, 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 Airmen offload fuel from the C-17 Globemaster III into a fuel truck at North Auxiliary Airfield, North, South Carolina, in support of the U.S. Marine Corps Composite Training Unit Exercise, Jan. 27, 2022. The exercise is a combination of multiple units and commands preparing to conduct military operations at sea, project combat power ashore, and deploys the nations crisis response force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Diana Cossaboom)

At dusk, Marines from Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron-352 (VMGR-352) secure their KC-130/R after a day of flying in Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Country: Unknown Scene Major Command Shown: VMGR-352

030908-F-3066T-002. Base: Will Rogers Ang Base State: Oklahoma (OK) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A KC-46A Pegasus arrives onto Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., May 20, 2022. The arrival of the KC-46 on Joint Base MDL reinforces the role of the installation in enabling global reach. The 305th and 514th Air Mobility Wings operate and maintain the aircraft with installation support from the 87th Air Base Wing.

A 317th Tactical Airlift Wing C-130 Hercules aircraft, foreground, taxis past a C-5A Galaxy aircraft during Operation Desert Shield. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Saudi Arabia (SAU)

041119-M-3668O-024. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Al Asad State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ)

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle, assigned to the 366th Fighter Wing, takes off in front of a C-130J Super Hercules, assigned to 317th Airlift Wing, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, as part of Exercise Raging Gunfighter at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, May 17, 2022. Raging Gunfighter is an exercise to prepare the 366 FW for future Agile Combat Employment (ACE) operations around the world.

U.S. Air Force loadmasters, assigned to the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, load cargo onto a C-17 Globemaster III at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, April 24, 2022. The 816th EAS, deployed with Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central), is responsible for delivering cargo and personnel to U.S. and partner nation forces' bases, providing airpower to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

A crew chief from the 117th Maintenance Group signals for the KC-135R Stratotankers pilot to stop the aircraft in its parking spot on the flight line at Sumpter Smith Joint National Guard Base, Alabama, Feb. 10, 2024. The mission of the 117th Air Refueling Wing is to provide quality worldwide air refueling, airlift, support, logistics, intelligence, and medical services in support of its community, state, and the nation with its KC-135R Stratotanker fleet. Air National Guard

An U.S. Air Force EC-130E Hercules from the 42nd Airborne Command and Control Squadron, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, prepares for another mission on the flightline. The aircraft is being used as an Airborne Battlefield Command and Control Center in support of the enforcement of a NATO no fly zone over Bosnia-Herzegovina. Subject Operation/Series: DENY FLIGHT Base: Aviano Air Base State: Pordenone Country: Italy (ITA)

041016-F-9429S-049. Base: Alpena State: Michigan (MI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

041021-F-9429S-014. Subject Operation/Series: CRISIS OUTLOOK 2004 Base: Phelps-Collins Angb, Alpena State: Michigan (MI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

030304-F-9032T-002. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Country: Unknown Scene Major Command Shown: CENTCOM

041016-F-9429S-051. Base: Alpena State: Michigan (MI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A 2nd Bomb Wing B-52H Stratofortress taxis under a spray of water after returning from a mission July 12, 2014, at Barksdale Air Force Base, La. This marked the last flight for one crewmember on the aircraft, Lt. Col. Ronald Polomoscanik, the 343rd Bomb Squadron director of operations, who is retiring after 23 years of service.

C-17 crew members and personnel from the 3rd Aerial Port Squadron and personnel from nearby Ft. Bragg load the C-17 with equipment, supplies, and trucks to be deployed to Panama. Subject Operation/Series: SAFE HAVEN Base: Pope Air Force Base State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

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.

An HC-130J Combat King II aircraft taxis for departure at Patrick Space Force Base, Florida, Sept. 26, 2022, in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Ian. The decision was made to relocate the aircraft to areas that would prevent them from being damaged. In less than 24-hours, all of the wing's HC-130J Combat King II aircraft and HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters were prepared, pre-flight checked, then flown or loaded to be transported off of the installation. This movement was the equivalent of a rapid deployment of the wing's Personnel Recovery Task Force-Heavy, which utilizes multi-capable Airmen from across the wing to mobilize rapidly for rescue operations around the world.

A snowcapped C-17 Globemaster III aircraft sits on the flightline of Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, Jan. 16, 2024. The base recorded an inch of snow overnight.

Munitions personnel, on a B-52 pylon maintenance/loading stands, from the 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, prepare to attach a pylon loaded with AGM-129 Advanced Cruise Missiles onto a Louisiana Air B-52H bomber in support of the joint military exercise GLOBAL GUARDIAN '98. Subject Operation/Series: GLOBAL GUARDIAN '98 Base: Barksdale Air Force Base State: Louisiana (LA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A MC-130H Combat Talon II sits parked on the flight line at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Nov. 15, 2022. The aircraft provides infiltration, exfiltration and resupply of special operations forces and equipment in hostile or denied territory.

020823-F-6956A-015. Base: Mcchord Air Force Base State: Washington (WA) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: AMC

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Christopher Bucy-Espinoza, a loadmaster assigned to the 300th Airlift Squadron, inspects the engines of a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III during preflight checks, Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, Aug. 24, 2022. Loadmasters direct and secure cargo while working hand-in-hand with joint and total force partners to ensure rapid global mobility.

Three C-17 Globemaster III from the 15th Wing, Hawaii Air National Guard, and Royal Australian Air Force sit on the flightline during Exercise Global Dexterity 2022 at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Hawaii, May 11, 2022. The USAF and RAAF conducted bilateral training in C-17 focused training to enhance their capabilities with the aircraft.

020322-F-9232S-013. Subject Operation/Series: NOBLE EAGLE Base: Selfridge Air Natl Guard Base State: Michigan (MI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules Transport Planes

Ground crews service several KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft parked on the flight line during Operation Desert Shield. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Saudi Arabia (SAU)

A Minnesota Air National Guard (MNANG) US Air Force (USAF) C-130H Hercules, 133rd Airlift Wing (AW), parked at Al Udeid Air Base (AB), Qatar. The C-130s provide vital airlift in the area of responsibility for Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, and Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa. Base: Al Udeid Air Base, Doha Country: Qatar (QAT)

030721-F-6701P-005. Base: Lungi Country: Sierra Leone (SLE) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

Maintenance technicians work on a C-5A Galaxy aircraft prior to its flight to Canada. The U.S. is providing airlift support for Canadian troops that are part of a United Nations-sponsored peacekeeping force that will monitor the cease-fire between Iran and Iraq. Base: Dover Air Force Base State: Delaware (DE) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III cargo plane prepares to depart 535th Airlift Squadron, 15th Operations Group, 15th Wing, 11th Air Force, PACAF on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Nov. 01, 2022. Heavy drop operations are one aspect of the realistic training the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center (JPMRC) training rotation 23-01 provides to Indo-Pacific land forces. JPMRC strengthens defense relationships, fosters multinational interoperability, increases readiness, and reinforces the unified regional land power network of the Joint Force.

A KC-135 Stratotanker from the 151st Air Refueling Wing arrives at Dugway Proving Ground, Utah, during a joint force exercise on Sept. 8, 2022. This exercise will develop new operational concepts, capabilities and plans to bolster deterrence and maintain the U.S. militarys competitive advantage for the future.

040814-F-7823A-002. Base: Dobbins Air Reserve Base State: Georgia (GA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A U.S. Air Force maintainer from the 86th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron out of Ramstein Air Base, Germany, performs a regular maintenance inspection on a C130J Super Hercules aircraft, Dec. 2, 2010. Inspections are done daliy to ensure aicraft readiness.

050905-F-5995O-013. Base: Gulport (ANGCRTC) State: Mississippi (MS) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Air Force aircrew with the 20th Bomb Squadron, Barksdale Air Force Base, La., arrive with their B-52H Stratofortress for The Great Texas Airshow, Apr. 20, 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.

A C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft assigned to the 97th Air Mobility Wing out of Altus Air Force Base, Okla., arrives at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Nov 17, 2010, during the Mobility Air Forces Exercise held over the Nevada Test and Training Range. Approximately 40 C-17 Globemaster III and C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft will assemble in aerial formations over the NTTR to conduct air and ground operations as part of the bi-annual, U.S. Air Force Weapons School Mobility Air Forces Exercise.

An EC-30H Compass Call aircraft of the 66th Electronic Combat Wing returning from OPERATION DESERT STORM approaches Hangar 1. The EC-130H is used in tactical and strategic communications jamming missions.. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Base: Sembach Air Base Country: Deutschland / Germany(DEU)

DF-ST-87-08309. Base: Andrews Air Force Base State: Maryland (MD) Country: United States Of America (USA)

031219-F-9629J-004. Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

011008-F-3329S-003. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Ramstein Air Base State: Rheinland-Pfalz Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU) Scene Major Command Shown: AMC

A C-130 Hercules aircraft from the 165th Airlift Wing, Georgia Air National Guard, taxis on the runway after a large formation flight that showcased the force and the new modifications to the aircraft on September 11, 2022 in Savannah, Georgia. Over the last 18 months, the entire 165th AW fleet of C-130H aircraft was modernized with NP-2000 eight blade propellers and T-56 3.5 engines. The eight-bladed propellers will deliver more power and efficiency while reducing maintenance.

030730-F-8156G-004. Base: RAF Mildenhall State: Suffolk Country: England / Great Britain (ENG) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Paul Erickson, KC-135 pilot assigned to the 50th Expeditionary Air Refuel Squadron, does a pre-flight walk through at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, July 5, 2022. The KC-135 provides core refueling capabilities in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

A row of C-17 Globemaster III aircraft from the 62d Airlift Wing, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, sit on the flightline after transporting equipment to conduct special fueling operations during Exercise Rainier War 22B at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho, Oct. 20, 2022. These special fueling operations were conducted during the 62d AWs most expansive exercise, Rainier War 22B, to exhibit Air Mobility Commands agile combat employment capabilities.

Marines from Alpha Company, 2d Light Armored Vehicle Company, attached to the Battalion Landing Team 3/6, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), move away on their patrol in a Light Armor Vehicle (LAV-25), while a USAF C-130, 40th Airlift Squadron, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, is unloaded with a 10K AT loader at Khandahar International Airport during OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Kandahar International Airport Country: Afghanistan (AFG) Scene Major Command Shown: 26th MEU (SOC)

010927-F-3961R-001. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Country: Unknown Scene Major Command Shown: Air Force

An aircrew from the 139th Airlift Wing flies a C-130H Hercules aircraft training sortie Nov. 23, 2022, at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base, St. Joseph, Missouri. This is the first 139th aircraft to fly after nearly two months of the C-130H fleet being grounded due to a propeller issue.

A Marine KC-130-J is prepared to begin an aerial refueling mission, March 03, 2011, for Emerald Warrior. Emerald Warrior 2011 is a U.S. Special Operations Command-sponsored, multiservice exercise designed to leverage lessons learned from Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom to provide trained and ready forces to combatant commanders.

A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III from Altus Air Force Base sits on the tarmac during The Great Texas Airshow Apr. 23, 2022, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph. The U.S. Air Force is celebrating its 75th anniversary with a The Great Texas Airshow as a key event. The airshow features the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron Thunderbirds performing for people 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 Forces premier multi-role fighter jet, the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

A C-130H Hercules aircraft assigned to the 139th Airlift Wing, Missouri Air National Guard, waits to be refueled on Feb. 13, 2024, at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base, St. Joseph, Missouri. Aircrews conducted a 41-hour sortie in which the aircraft engines ran continuously for 45 hours and the aircraft was refueled three times. This type of training enhances the wings warfighting capability by pushing the limits of the aircraft and personnel. Air National Guard

A C-17 Globemaster III lands on the runway at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Oct. 12, 2022, after a morning sortie as part of Exercise RED FLAG-Alaska 23-1. Team McChord Airmen from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, are participating in Red Flag, in conjunction with Exercise Rainier War 22B. Exercise Rainier War is a full-scale readiness exercise with an Air Force Force Generation prioritization; demonstrating the ability to generate, employ and sustain a combat force during a rigorous wartime scenario.

A C-130 Hercules aircraft from the 165th Airlift Wing, Georgia Air National Guard, taxis on the runway after a large formation flight that showcased the force and the new modifications to the aircraft on September 11, 2022 in Savannah, Georgia. Over the last 18 months, the entire 165th AW fleet of C-130H aircraft was modernized with NP-2000 eight blade propellers and T-56 3.5 engines. The eight-bladed propellers will deliver more power and efficiency while reducing maintenance.

An HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter is loaded into the back of a C-17 Globemaster aircraft at Patrick Space Force Base, Florida, Sept. 26, 2022, in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Ian. The decision was made to relocate the aircraft to areas that would prevent them from being damaged. In less than 24-hours, all of the wing's HC-130J Combat King II aircraft and HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters were prepared, pre-flight checked, then flown or loaded to be transported off of the installation. This movement was the equivalent of a rapid deployment of the wing's Personnel Recovery Task Force-Heavy, which utilizes multi-capable Airmen from across the wing to mobilize rapidly for rescue operations around the world.

An R-11 fuel truck refuels C-17A Globemaster III on the ramp at Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella, Italy, during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. In response to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 at the New York World Trade Center and the Pentagon, President George W. Bush initiated Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in support of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT), fighting terrorism abroad. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Naval Air Station, Sigonella State: Sicily Country: Italy (ITA) Scene Major Command Shown: AMC

980620-F-2907C-011. Base: Mcchord Air Force Base State: Washington (WA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Airmen prepare a U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron to take part in the Cope North 24 multinational exercise to better train and hone U.S. and Allied interoperability at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Feb. 9, 2024. Participants exercise interoperability during Cope North 24 through agile combat employment and integrated generation of airpower from dispersed locations across the Indo-Pacific. Air Force

U.S. Air Force Maj. Joshua Moore, 535th Airlift Squadron pilot, performs a pre-flight inspection around the exterior of a C-17 Globemaster III before takeoff during Exercise Global Dexterity 2022 at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, May 4, 2022. Exercise Global Dexterity is designed to prepare the U.S. Air Force and the Royal Australian Air Force for combined action in wartime, peacetime, and humanitarian operations throughout the Indo-Pacific.

U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III taxis down the runway at Bradshaw Army Airfield, Hawaii, in support of the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center (JPMRC) exercise 23-01, Nov. 4, 2022. The 15th Wings ability to provide rapid global mobility and surge combat-ready forces across the theater is critical to supporting regional alliances and the existing security architecture.

020329-F-6740T-005. Subject Operation/Series: NORTHERN EDGE Base: Patrick Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ANG

Senior Master Sgt. David Workman, 403rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron production superintendent, completes a walk-around inspection of a WC-130J Super Hercules prior to releasing the aircraft to the aircrew for take-off, Jan. 15. Members of the 403rd Maintenance Group ensure the aircraft are maintained for the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron to fly ARs in the Pacific Ocean Basin from 1 January through 31 March as a specific part of the National Winter Season Operations Plan.

A U.S. Air Force Airman looks over a C-17 Globemaster III just returning to Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, Oct. 1, 2022, following Hurricane Ian. To carry on the rapid global mobility mission, all of Team Charlestons C-17s were either secured in a hangar or relocated prior to the storms landfall.

A U.S. Air Force Airman looks over a C-17 Globemaster III just returning to Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, Oct. 1, 2022, following Hurricane Ian. To carry on the rapid global mobility mission, all of Team Charlestons C-17s were either secured in a hangar or relocated prior to the storms landfall.

Various aircrews attended the Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Centers Advanced Tactics Aircrew Course in Fort Huachuca, Arizona, from April 11-15, 2022 including the U.S. Air Force Reserve Commands 302nd Airlift Wing, Rhode Island Air National Guards 143rd Airlift Wing, New York ANGs 105th Airlift Wing, the Royal Danish Air Forces 721 Squadron, and the U.S. Air Forces 517th Airlift Squadron. During ATAC, students spend their first week at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base in St. Joseph, Missouri, and their second week at Fort Huachuca.

Airmen from the 127th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan, perform Agile Combat Employment (ACE) training on an A-10 Thunderbolt II at Selfridge on Dec. 13, 2022. The training included Integrated Combat Turns which enables the quick rearming and refueling of a running jet to reduce the aircrews ground time and quickly get them back into the air executing missions and supporting operations.

040211-F-2167L-124. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Balad Air Base Country: Iraq (IRQ)

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