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Military Aircraft Operations

Images showcasing various military aircraft, including cargo planes, during pre-flight inspections, refueling missions, and readiness exercises.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Gage Olejniczak, a C-17 Globemaster III loadmaster assigned to the 16th Airlift Squadron, performs engine start procedures prior to an aerial refueling mission on Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, June 30, 2022. The aircrew members also performed touch-and-go, assault landings, and combat offload maneuvers in South Carolina to sharpen their mission readiness.
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Gage Olejniczak, a C-17 Globemaster III loadmaster assigned to the 16th Airlift Squadron, performs engine start procedures prior to an aerial refueling mission on Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, June 30, 2022. The aircrew members also performed touch-and-go, assault landings, and combat offload maneuvers in South Carolina to sharpen their mission readiness.
350 assets in this story
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Captain (CAPT) Sushil Ramrakha, USAF, a KC-135R Stratotanker pilot, performs his pre-flight walk around the aircraft, with crewchief AIRMAN 1ST Class Fausto Olivo, USAF, before taking off on a refueling mission over the Adriatic Sea. CAPT Ramrakha and about 20 other aircrew members and maintenance personnel are deployed from McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, to the 16th Expeditionary Operations Group, a small US detachment located on this French air base. The McConnell active duty personnel join the primarily Air National Guard flying and maintenance operations here. The group flies aerial refueling missions in support of NATO Operation JOINT FORGE, refueling US and NATO aircraft, .... Complete Scene Caption: Captain (CAPT) Sushil Ramrakha, USAF, a KC-135R Stratotanker pilot, performs his pre-flight walk around the aircraft, with crewchief Airman 1st Class Fausto Olivo, USAF, before taking off on a refueling mission over the Adriatic Sea. CAPT Ramrakha and about 20 other aircrew memb
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United States Air Force personnel assigned to the 401st Expeditionary Air Base Group, off load supplies from an Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft, out of Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, at Tuzla Air Base in Bosnia and Herzegovina in support of Operation Joint Guard. Subject Operation/Series: JOINT GUARD Base: Tuzla Air Base Country: Bosnia And/I Herzegovina (BIH)
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Two members of the 2955th Combat Logistics Support Squadron confer while working on the main landing gear of a 63rd Military Airlift Wing C-141B Starlifter aircraft. The landing gear was lost when the aircraft skidded off the end of the runway at Iwakuni Marine Corps Air Station, Okinawa, Japan, on January 13,1987. The aircraft, which also sustained extensive damage to its fuselage and right wing, was returned to flyable condition at Iwakuni and then flown to Yokota for further work. Base: Yokota Air Base Country: Japan (JPN)
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040427-F-7169B-003. Base: Balad Air Base Country: Iraq (IRQ)
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A pallet of supplies delivered in support of Pacific Angel 22-4 sit on the flight line at Baucau City Airport, Timor-Leste, Sept. 7, 2022. The operation is scheduled for Sept. 12-17 and will focus on capacity building through health service outreach, subject matter expert exchanges and civil engineer renovation projects. The Indo-Pacific Command sponsors Pacific Angel to promote interoperability and demonstrate Department of Defense support capabilities for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief events by conducting global medical outreach and enhancing regional partnerships.
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Department of the Air Force civic leaders receive a tour of an E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System assigned to the 962nd Airborne Air Control Squadron during the DAF civic leader tour at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, June 22, 2022. The aircrafts radar has a range of more than 200 miles for low-flying targets and farther for aerospace vehicles flying at medium-to-high altitudes.
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A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 22nd Air Refueling Wing, McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, prepares to land on Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska in support of Operation Noble Defender 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.
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Airmen with Whiteman Air Force Bases 393d Expeditionary Bomb Squadron prepare for the arrival of a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber as a Minot Air Force Base 5th Bomb Wing B-52H Stratofortress taxis across the runway during Red Flag-Nellis 22-1 on Jan. 25, 2022, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. Participants in Red Flag-Nellis 22-1 conduct a variety of scenarios, including defensive counter air, offensive counter air suppression of enemy air defenses and offensive counter air interdiction. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Michael A. Richmond)
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Minnesota Air National Guard Airmen using two C-130 Hercules” military cargo aircraft flew five relief missions in support of Superstorm Sandy Nov. 3 and 4, 2012 in places like Joint Base Andrews, Md. and Kennedy Airport, N.Y. They delivered at least 5,000 pounds of supplies and at least nine passengers throughout the region. U.S. Air Force official photo
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U.S. Air Force Col. Corey Simmons, 60th Air Mobility Wing commander, taxis a C-17 Globemaster III marshalled by his children during his final flight at Travis Air Force Base, California, July 22, 2022. A final flight, also known as a "fini flight," is an Air Force tradition typically marking an aircrew members departure from the his or her unit or the last time flying a specific aircraft. Simmons and his family arrived at Travis AFB July 2020 and will depart to Scott AFB, Illinois, July 2022.
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220513-N-CR843-0216 Misawa, Japan (May 13, 2022) A P-8A Poseidon assigned to Patrol Squadron (VP) 8, taxis into position during an Elephant Walk at Misawa Air Base. The Elephant Walk showcased Misawa Air Base's collective readiness and ability to generate combat airpower at a moment's notice to ensure regional stability throughout the Indo-Pacific.VP-8 is currently deployed to NAF Misawa, Japan conducting maritime patrol and reconnaissance and theater outreach operations within U.S. 7th Fleet (C7F) area of operations in support of Commander, Task Force 72, C7F, and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command objectives throughout the region.
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The Navmar Applied Sciences Corporations TigerShark prepares for its final takeoff at Edwards Air Force Base for the Unmanned Aircraft Systems integration in the National Airspace Systems, Flight Test Series Six (FT6) project. FT6 flight tests took place at NASAs Armstrong Flight Research Center in California and focused on low size weight and power sensors for Detect and Avoid (DAA) operations in controlled airspace to inform the FAA through the RTCA Special Committee DAA Working Group on the phase 2 minimum operational performance standards for DAA and air-to-air radar.
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A BETA Technologies team watches as a 41st Rescue Squadron HH-60W Jolly Green II drops into a landing zone at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida Jan. 11, 2024. The two aircraft and crews participated in a casualty evacuation exercise with the HH-60 dropping off and the ALIA, an electric convention take-off and landing aircraft, picking up the simulated patient for higher-level care.
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The Idaho Air National Guards 124th Fighter Wing is hosting biennial A-10 Thunderbolt II competition, Hawgsmoke, Sept. 6-9, 2022. On Sept. 7, nearly 30 A-10s from across the nation parked at Gowen Field's flightline in preperation for the competition. At the previous competition, Hawgsmoke 2021, the 124th Fighter Wings 190th Fighter Squadron was recognized as the top pilot team at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. The winning team traditionally hosts the next competition. The 190th Fighter Squadron won all three team awards in 2021: overall champion, top bombing team and top tactical team. The overall win was the squadrons third since 2003.More than 150 pilots, maintainers and weapon teams from approximately 14 active duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve units from across the globe are in the competition.
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The Global Hawk unmanned aircraft is fueled after its arrival at Langley Air Force Base. The aircraft flew non-stop from Edwards Air Force Base, California, to Langley as part of a NATO seminar hosted by the Supreme Allied Commander, Atlantic. Base: Langley Air Force Base State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC
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Volunteers with the Alaska National Guard, Salvation Army and local community partners, unload gifts for Operation Santa Claus from a 176th Wing HC-130J Combat King II aircraft at the Nuiqsut airport Nov. 29, 2022. Operation Santa Claus is the Alaska National Guards yearly community relations and support program that provides gifts to children in remote communities across the state. In partnership with the Salvation Army, Santa, Mrs. Claus and more than three dozen elves delivered 1,420 pounds of gifts, backpacks, hygiene supplies, and books to 191 children in Nuiqsut. (Alaska National Guard photo by 1st Lt. Balinda ONeal)
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An M-109A1 155mm self-propelled howitzer is offloaded from a YC-15 aircraft during a heavy loading test. Base: Yuma State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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980608-F-4116M-001. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH 1998 Base: Kuwait International Airport Country: Kuwait (KWT)
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Sacramento, CA, July 14, 2008 Cal Fire operates the DC 10 aircraft that has been activated to provide unique capabilities and is part of a unified military support effort of U.S. Northern Command to provide assistance to the U.S. Forest Service, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, and the National Inter agency Fire Center. USNORTHCOM continues to closely monitor the California wildfires to anticipate additional requests for Cal Fire aerial assistance to local, federal, and state civil authorities and will launch as many missions as officials require to battle the wildfires. Adam DuBrowa/FEMA.. Photographs Relating to Disasters and Emergency Management Programs, Activities, and Officials
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981016-F-1894K-001. Subject Operation/Series: JOINT FORGE Base: Ramstein Air Base State: Rheinland-Pfalz Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE
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Snow falls on a C-130 Hercules aircraft assigned to the 182nd Airlift Wing, Illinois Air National Guard, in Peoria, Ill., Dec. 30, 2015. That days snow was the first measurable snowfall since a record 4.6 inches fell on Nov. 21.
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Employers from the Greater Reno Area walk on the flight line at the Nevada Air National Guard Base prior to an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Boss Lift, April, 15, 2022. One of the Nevada National Guards strategic priorities is to be engaged and involved with the local communities, and these flights are one of the ways the High Rollers build support from members of the Greater Reno Area.
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Col. John D. Wolf II Caldwell, 8th Fighter Wing vice commander, salutes during the arrival of 7th Air Force leaders at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Aug. 4, 2022. The visit allowed 7th AF leaders the opportunity to learn more about the Wolf Pack mission, meet with Airmen and provide mentorship to wing personnel.
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Right side profile long shot of a USAF C-5 Galaxy cargo aircraft as it rolls down the runway at Lajes Field, Azores, for take off. The C-5, from the 312th Airlift Squadron (AS), Travis AFB, California, is leaving Lajes Field for East Timor with several pallets of MRE's (Meals Ready to Eat). The MRE's are part of a joint US-Portugal humanitarian relief effort. Base: Lajes Field State: Azores Country: Portugal (PRT)
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030824-F-1740G-004. Base: Yokota Air Base Country: Japan (JPN)
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DF-ST-85-05738. Base: Palmdale State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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Two Air National Guardsmen remove a drag chute from an F-4 Phantom II aircraft during Reforger (Coronet Rawhide). Subject Operation/Series: REFORGERCORONET RAWHIDE Base: Sola Air Base Country: Norway (NOR)
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U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 174, 1st Marine Aircraft prepare to refuel a MQ-9A Reaper with 163d Attack Wing, California Air National Guard during Balikatan 23 at the Subic Bay International Airport, Philippines, April 7, 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.
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Members of the 82nd Airborne Division board a Military Airlift Command (MAC) C-141 Starlifter aircraft during Operation URGENT FURY. Subject Operation/Series: URGENT FURY Country: Grenada (GRD)
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NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY SOUDA BAY, Greece (July 18, 2022) File photo from Dec. 1959 captioned, President Eisenhower arrives on board USS Des Moines”. Naval Support Activity Souda Bay is an operational ashore base that enables U.S., Allied, and Partner nation forces to be where they are needed when they are needed to preserve security and stability in the European, African, and Central Command areas of responsibility.
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U.S. Army Garrison staff in front of an A400 aircraft during the Chièvres Air Fest June 25, 2022.
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Three F-16C Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft of the 614th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 401st Tactical Fighter Wing, Torrejon Air Base, Spain, armed with bombs and AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, and three Coalition F-1C Mirage fighter aircraft are prepared for a mission at an air field during Operation Desert Storm.. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Qatar(QAT)
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Senior Airman Jolan Besse, 535th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, directs a k-loader to load cargo onto a C-17 Globemaster III in support of an airdrop exercise at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Aug. 24, 2022. Airdrop exercises provide Airmen with real world training opportunities to advance the 15th Wings mission of rapid global mobility.
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Maintenance crew members with the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, The Blue Angels, prepare to return their F/A-18 Super Hornets after a flight demonstration as part of the 2022 Kaneohe Bay Air Show, Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Aug. 14, 2022. The air show provided an opportunity to showcase the aircraft, equipment and capabilities of the armed forces to the local community. The Kaneohe Bay Air Show, which contained aerial performances, static displays, demonstrations and vendors, was designed to celebrate MCBHs longstanding relationship with the local community.
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More than 6,000 visitors showed up to an open house hosted by the Vermont Air and Army National Guard, where military aviation, equipment, vehicles, munitions and flight simulators were on display, along with a career fair, musical performances and police dog demonstrations, at the Vermont Air National Guard Base, South Burlington, Vermont, Sept. 11, 2022. The event was planned to coincide with the Vermont National Guard's observance of the 21st anniversary of the attacks of 9/11 which saw Vermont Air National Guard F-16s flying patrols over NYC in the immediate aftermath of the attack.
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NASA, Canadian Space Agency, Roscosmos, and Russian Search and Recovery Forces deploy from Karaganda to Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan in advance of the landing of Expedition 59 crew members Anne McClain of NASA, David Saint-Jacques of the Canadian Space Agency, and Oleg Kononenko of Roscosmos, Monday, June 24, 2019. McClain, Saint-Jacques, and Kononenko are returning after 204 days in space where they served as members of the Expedition 58 and 59 crews onboard the International Space Station.
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051013-A-1327A-024. Base: Chaklala Air Base State: Islamabad Country: Pakistan (PAK) Scene Major Command Shown: NORTHEAST
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The 58th Special Operations Wing units highlight their aircraft during a visit by the Tuskegee Airmen Summer CampKirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. The students were allowed to see the aircraft and walk parts of the flight line. The camp is designed as an aerospace immersion for students to learn about aviation careers. June 09, 2022.
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030402-F-6809H-004. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Country: Unknown Scene Major Command Shown: 398th AEG
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A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet assigned to the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 323 out of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, prepares to land at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Aug. 5, 2022. During the flights they had opportunities to identify strengths, weaknesses and capabilities while also sharpening their skills and tactics between the 510th Fighter Squadron and the VMFA-323 Squadron.
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A view of the sign at the entrance to Anderson Air Force Base. A KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft prepares to land in the background. Base: Andersen Air Base State: Guam (GU) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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DN-SD-03-09281. Base: Lingshui Air Field State: Hainan Country: China (CHN) Scene Major Command Shown: USPACOM
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Coast Guard Structures - Air Stations - New Orleans - 26-HK-95-188. AIRSTA NOLA--Coast Guardsman standing on stairs of CG aircraft on ramp (2). Hurricane Katrina
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20905-F-4649H-019. Base: Dover Air Force Base State: Delaware (DE) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC
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040217-F-9616R-022. Base: Altus Air Force Base State: Oklahoma (OK) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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221004-N-CR843-0379NAVAL AIR STATION JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Oct. 4, 2022) Aviation Machinist's Mate 2nd Class Donald Green, assigned to the Fighting Tigers of Patrol Squadron (VP) 8 is greeted by his family as VP-8 returns to Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla., Oct. 4, 2022. VP-8 is returning from a six month deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of Commander, Task Force 72 and U.S, Indo-Pacific Command objectives throughout the region.
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148th Fighter Wing Airmen return from an approximately four month aviation deployment and are greeted by family and friends at the 148th Fighter Wing, Duluth, Minn., July 27, 2022. While deployed the Wing flew over 700 sorties, totaling more than 4,400 flight hours in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
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040302-F-1272F-001. Base: RAF Fairford State: Gloucestershire Country: England / Great Britain (ENG)