Military Aircraft in Formation

Aerial views of various military aircraft flying in formation, showcasing refueling operations and tactical jets against a clear blue sky.

Squadron of three fighter planes flying in formation

DN-ST-89-08845. Country: Unknown

DN-SC-90-11932. Country: Unknown

Left side view of a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft refueling an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft in flight, as the other two F-16s await their turns. The F-16s are from the 35th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, and the KC-135, 909th Air Refueling Squadron, all involved in Exercise Sandgroper '82. Subject Operation/Series: SANDGROPER '82 Country: Unknown

DN-SN-85-08591. Country: Unknown

DN-SC-04-12611. Base: San Diego State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An air-to-air right side view of an F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft, armed with an AIM-9 Sidewinder missile, bottom, and an Air National Guard F-4D Phantom II aircraft of the 148th Fighter Interceptor Group, armed with AIM-7 Sparrow and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, over West Germany. The F-16C is also equipped with an AN/ALQ-131 electronic countermeasures pod. Country: Unknown

DF-SD-07-26029. Base: Unknown

DF-ST-88-03902. Subject Operation/Series: CORONET WARRIOR Base: Langley Air Force Base State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Squadron of three fighter planes flying in formation

Two F-16 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

DN-SC-87-05494. Country: Unknown

A view of a six-ship delta formation of F-16A Fighting Falcon aircraft in flight. The aircraft are from the 35th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, being deployed to Kunsan Air Base, Korea. Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

An air-to-air front view of an SR-71 Blackbird aircraft being hooked up with a KC-10 Extender aircraft for refueling during testing. The aircraft, from the 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, is seen from the refueling boom operator's section. Base: Beale Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An RC-135W Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft, Air Combat Command 55th Wing from Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, flies a training mission over Nebraska. The RC-135W works closely with the E-3A aircraft Airborne Warning And Control System (AWACS) during war or contingency situations, providing direct, near real-time reconnaissance information and electronic warfare support to theater commanders and combat forces. All RC-135s are equipped with an aerial refueling system, which gives the aircraft unlimited range. This image was used as the back cover photo for the May 2000 AIRMAN Magazine article "Rivet Joint:Recon Ready". State: Nebraska (NE) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An EA-3B Skywarrior aircraft of Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron Thirty Three (VAQ-33) refuels a formation of TA4J Skyhawk aircraft of Composite Squadron Twelve (VC-12). Exact Date Shot Unknown. Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

DN-SC-87-05660. Country: Unknown

Two U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 510th Fighter Squadron, Aviano AB, Italy, fly with a German MiG-29A on a training exercise. Base: Decimomannu State: Sardinia Country: Italy (ITA)

An air-to-air right side view of a 142nd Fighter Interceptor Group, Oregon Air National Guard, F-4C Phantom II aircraft during the air-to-air weapons meet William Tell '84. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Subject Operation/Series: WILLIAM TELL '84 Country: Unknown

Vietnam: February 28, 1966 A U.S. Air Force F-5 Skoshi Tiger from the 4503rd Tactical Fighter Squadron drops three general purpose bombs on a Viet Cong position.

1982 - Air-to-air right side view of a KC-10A Extender aircraft refueling an F-14 Tomcat aircraft..

AN air-to-air left side view of KC-10 Extender aircraft refueling a C-5 Galaxy aircraft. AN F-4 Phantom II aircraft can be seen in the background. State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A Strike Fighter Squadron 147 (VFA-147) F/A-18C Hornet aircraft refuels from a KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft during Operation Southern Watch, a multinational effort establishing a no-fly zone for Iraqi aircraft south of the 32nd parallel in Iraq. Standing by is an F-14A Tomcat aircraft of Fighter Squadron 24 (VF-24). The squadrons are embarked aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS NIMITZ (CVN-68). Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH Country: Southwest Asia

AV-8B Please note that the description with this photo is the original description by the photographer. At a later stage this description will be revised if necessary.

High Angle Right Side View of a YC-15. High Angle Right Side View of a YC-15. "Edwards AFB, CalifHigh angle right side view of a YC-15 with camouflage markings approaching a KC-135 for aerial refueling."

An air-to-air right side view of an F-4 Phantom II aircraft and a Norwegian F-5E Tiger II aircraft in use during Reforger '82. Country: Norway (NOR)

DF-ST-85-04190. Subject Operation/Series: PITCH BLACK Country: Australia (AUS)

An air-to-air right side view of a B-52 Stratofortress aircraft from the 416th Bomb Wing, Griffiss Air Force Base, New York, equipped with the air-launched cruise missile (ALCM) weapon system. Country: Unknown

U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning IIs from the 356th Fighter Squadron at Eielson Air Force Base fly side by side with Republic of Korea Air Force F-35s from the 151st and 152nd Combat Flight Squadrons as part of a bilateral exercise over the Yellow Sea, Republic of Korea, July 12, 2022. Combined training demonstrates our commitmient to the defense of South Korea and is the foundation of maintaining a robust defense posture.

DF-ST-86-09265. State: Hawaii (HI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

030218-F-3961R-010. Subject Operation/Series: COPE TIGER 2003 Country: Unknown

A close-up view of a B-52 Stratofortress aircraft wing pylon holding an AGM-86 air-launched cruise missile during an icing test mission. Base: Hill Air Force Base State: Utah (UT) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An EA-6B Prowler from Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 140 (VAQ-140) is refueled by a KA-6D Intruder tanker from Attack Squadron 34 (VA-34) as an F/A-18C Hornet from Strike Fighter Squadron 136 (VFA-136) flies near during flight operations off the nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN-69) in the Persian Gulf. Country: Unknown

AN air-to-air underside view of an A-7D Corsair II aircraft banking to the left over a range. The aircraft is carrying three Mark 82 high-drag bombs on each wing. The aircraft is assigned to the 76th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 23rd Tactical Fighter Wing. Base: Nellis Air Force Base State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An air-to-air right side view of a New Jersey Air National Guard F-4 Phantom II aircraft flying in close formation with a Norwegian Air Force F-5 Tiger II aircraft during exercise Coronet Rawhide. Subject Operation/Series: CORONET RAWHIDE Country: Norway (NOR)

DN-SN-85-08595. Country: Unknown

Flight of P-47 Thunderbolts. Flight of P-47 Thunderbolts. Disc/Side/Frame Number: 4A-21172

An underside view of a Fighter Squadron 41 (VF-41) F-14A Tomcat aircraft on a Combat Air Patrol (CAP) during Operation Desert Storm. The aircraft is carrying four AIM-7 Sparrow missiles under its fuselage and two AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles on each wing pylon.. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Unknown

DN-SC-89-00021. Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

An Attack Squadron 72 (VA-72) A-7E Corsair II aircraft of the commander, Carrier Air Wing, flies homeward following deployment in the Persian Gulf area during Operation Desert Storm. The squadron's aircraft, along with planes of Attack Squadron 46 (VA-46), will be decommissioned following return to the United States after twenty years of service in Carrier Air Wing 3. This particular Corsair exhibits a camouflage paint scheme along with the name of the war in which it played a part. Corsairs of both VA-72 and VA-46 had been stationed aboard the aircraft carrier USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67). Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Unknown

DF-ST-87-09588. Subject Operation/Series: TEAM SPIRIT '86 Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

DF-ST-88-07190. State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A front view of four A-4F Skyhawk aircraft assigned to the Blue Angels flight demonstration team as one touches down onto a runway. Two other A-4F aircraft are approaching in the background. Country: Unknown

Flying under radar control with a B-66 Destroyer, Air Force F-105 Thunderchief pilots bomb a military target through low clouds over the southern panhandle of North Vietnam. June 14, 1966. Public Domain image by Lt. Col. Cecil J. Poss, USAF.

DN-SN-87-00484. Base: USS Coral Sea (CV 43) Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

Planes Of Three Nations Dive As One -- This official picture shows a formation of four jet aircraft of three different types from three different air forces diving vertically towards the earth on completing a loop during aerobatics at Metz, France.The pilots belong to aerobatic teams of the Royal Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force and the United States Air Force which had gone to Metz for a French national air meeting. It was the first time they had flown together.Leading the quartet is a Hawker Hunter of No. 54 Squadron, RAF Fighter Command flown by Captian Richard G. Immig, a United States Air Force officer from Gillette, New Jersey, serving with the RAF on exchange posting. August 10, 1955.

An air-to-air left side view of a Fleet Composite Squadron 12 (VC-12) TA-4J Skyhawk aircraft as it refuels an RF-8G Crusader aircraft. Base: Pascagoula State: Mississippi (MS) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-ST-88-00991. Country: Unknown

Project 24 - Operation Hardtack (Enewetak/Bikini/Johnnston Island Area) Test Activities. Air-to-air of B-57D sampler aircraft. Photographs of Atmospheric Nuclear Testing at Pacific Island and Nevada Test Sites.

An air-to-air left side view of four F-111 aircraft as they fly over two supply ships during exercise Bright Star '83. Country: Egypt (EGY)

A Strike Fighter Squadron 15 (VFA-15) F/A-18A Hornet aircraft receives fuel from the "buddy store" tank carried by an Attack Squadron 35 (VA-35) A-6E Intruder aircraft as a second VFA-15 Hornet waits for its turn to refuel. The aircraft are all from Carrier Air Wing 8 (CVW-8), which is assigned to the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN-71). Country: Unknown

An air-to-air left side view of an F-4G Phantom II Wild Weasel aircraft from the 81st Tactical Fighter Squadron. Base: Spangdahlem Air Base State: Rheinland-Pfalz Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)

DF-SC-87-02083. Country: Unknown

An F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft of the 169th Tactical Fighter Group, South Carolina, banks to the left. The aircraft, armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, display the new "South Carolina" tail marking. State: South Carolina (SC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-SC-82-03794. Country: Unknown

An air-to-air right side view of Attack Squadron 72 (VA 72) A-7E Corsair II aircraft over the Florida coast. Country: Unknown

AN air-to-air right side view of an F-106 Delta Dart aircraft after firing an ATR-2A missile over a range. AN auxiliary fuel tank is on each wing. The aircraft is assigned to the 194th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, California Air National Guard. Base: Tyndall Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. F-84 Thunderjets on bombing mission north of the 38th parallel during the Korean War. Ca. 1950-53.. (BSLOC_2014_11_227)

An air-to-air left side view of three A-7 Corsair aircraft assigned to Light Attack Squadron 72 (VA-72) on the aircraft carrier USS AMERICA (CV 66). Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

A B-52D Stratofortress aircraft waits beside the runway as a B-52G approaches for landing after completing a bombing mission over North Vietnam during Operation Linebacker. The aircraft are from the Strategic Air Command. The Second Indochina War, known in America as the Vietnam War, was a Cold War era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of South Vietnam, supported by the U.S. and other anti-communist nations. The U.S. government viewed involvement in the war as a way to prevent a communist takeover of South Vietnam and part of their wider strategy of containment. The North Vietnamese government viewed the war as a colonial war, fought initially against France, backed by the U.S., and later against South Vietnam, which it regarded as a U.S. puppet state. U.S. military

An air-to-air side view of an EA-6B Prowler aircraft from Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 129 (VAQ-129). Country: Unknown

An Air Combat Command 55th Wing RC-135W Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft from Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, flies a training mission over Nebraska. The RC-135W works closely with the E-3A Airborne Warning And Control System (AWACS) during war or contingency situations, providing direct, near real-time reconnaissance information and electronic warfare support to theater commanders and combat forces. All RC-135s are equipped with an aerial refueling system, which gives the aircraft unlimited range. This image was used in the May 2000 AIRMAN Magazine and included in the article "Rivet Joint:Recon Ready". State: Nebraska (NE) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-ST-86-12600. Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

An air-to-air left front view of two C-141 Starlifter aircraft in camouflage paint scheme, from the 437th Military Airlift Wing. Base: Charleston State: South Carolina (SC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-ST-85-11510. Country: Unknown

A view of an AIM-9L/M Sidewinder missile on a display stand. Country: Unknown

DF-ST-88-04626. Base: Southern State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A view of damage caused to the tail section of an F-4 Phantom II aircraft when the aircraft carrier USS MIDWAY (CV 41) when it collided with the Panamanian freighter CACTUS. Base: Naval Station, Subic Bay State: Luzon Country: Philippines (PHL)

American B-29 Superfortress heavy bombers under attack from Japanese Nakajima Ki-84 fighter planes during World War II.

DN-SC-88-08220. Country: Spain (ESP)

During a C-5 Galaxy airdrop test a formation of six Air Mobility Command C-5s fly over the drop zone on Fort Bragg near Pope AFB, North Carolina. Country: Unknown

DN-SC-04-12498. Base: San Diego State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An air-to-air front view of an Airborne Early Warning Squadron 110 (VAW-110) E-2C Hawkeye aircraft with its landing gear lowered. Country: Unknown

A formation of German Ju 87 Stuka dive bombers.

B-26, B-47, C-97, RC-121, B-52, C-131, C-119, and C-124 in Formation. B-26, B-47, C-97, RC-121, B-52, C-131, C-119, and C-124 in Formation. "Formation of (left to right, clockwise) Consolidated B-26, Boeing B-47, Boeing C-97, Lockheed RC-121, Boeing B-52, Consolidated C-131, Fairchild C-119 and Douglas C-124.". 1940 - 1980. National Archives at College Park - Archives II (College Park, MD). Transparency. Department of Defense. Department of the Air Force. 9/26/1947-. Color Photographs of U.S. Air Force Activities, Facilities, and Personnel, Domestic and Foreign

Artist's concept of an F-15 Eagle aircraft firing advanced medium range air-to-air missiles during combat. Country: Unknown

A right rear view of an XM-1 Abrams tank being driven into a C-5A Galaxy aircraft. Base: Wright-Patterson Air Force Base State: Ohio (OH) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DN-SC-87-00279. Base: Unknown

Royal Air Force- Italy, the Balkans and South East Europe, 1942-1945. Martin Baltimore Mark IVs of No. 223 Squadron RAF, based at Celone, Italy, flying over the mouth of the Biferno River, whilst en route up the Adriatic coast to attack the railway and sidings at Montesilvano Marina, north of Pescara.

An air-to-air left rear view of a U.S. Air Force KC-10A Extender aircraft trailing a refueling drogue. The aircraft is participating in the multi-national exercise Bright Star '83. Subject Operation/Series: EXERCISE BRIGHT STAR '83 Country: Unknown

DF-ST-89-06396. Base: Farnborough Country: England / Great Britain (ENG)

NASA astronauts and astronaut candidates fly in formation aboard T-38 jets over NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. They flew in to support the Artemis I mission and various pre-launch activities.Aircraft designations and passengers:NASA 901: Chris Condon / Astronaut Zena Cardman.902: Astronaut Candidate Nicole Ayers / Astronaut Christina Koch.903: Canadian Space Agency Astronaut Jeremy Hansen / Astronaut Drew Morgan.904: Chief Astronaut Reid Wiseman / Astronaut Joe Acaba.905 (Photo Chase): Astronaut Candidate Jack Hathaway / Josh Valcarcel

Artwork: "X-90" Artist: Marilyn Montgomery (US Air Force Art Collection). Country: Unknown

A-4 Skyhawk aircraft fly near the aircraft carrier USS INDEPENDENCE (CV-62) as they take part in a farewell airshow to commemorate the turning over a NAS SUBIC BAY to the Philippine government at the close of the year. The INDEPENDENCE battle group will be the last such unit to visit the port while it is still operated by the U.S. Navy. Base: Naval Air Station, Cubi Point State: Luzon Country: Philippines(PHL)

A Field of B-52 Aircraft, Davis Montham Air Force Base, Tucson, Arizona

A air-to-air left side view of six USAF Thunderbird F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft in a delta formation during flight maneuver training. Base: Valley Of Fire State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DN-SN-85-05635. Base: Natc, Patuxent River State: Maryland (MD) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-ST-88-07180. State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-SC-89-11194. Base: Unknown

DF-SC-86-05744. Country: Unknown

AN air-to-air overhead view of a seven-ship echelon formation of F-5E Tiger II aircraft from the 57th Fighter Weapons Wing over a desert. Each aircraft is painted in a different camouflage scheme and is carrying one AIM-9 Sidewinder missile. State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A U.S. Air Force Boeing B-52F-70-BW Stratofortress (s/n 57-0162, nicknamed "Casper The Friendly Ghost") from the 320th Bomb Wing dropping Mk 117 750 lb (340 kg) bombs over Vietnam.

DF-ST-87-07213. Subject Operation/Series: REFORGER '86 Country: West Germany (FRG)

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