Military Aircraft Operations

Photos showcasing military fighter jets on airfields, highlighting aircraft readiness and operations during various training exercises and missions.

U.S. Air Force U-2 Dragon Ladys and chase cars from the 99th Reconnaissance Squadron, T-38 Talons from the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron, and KC-135R Stratotankers from the 940th Air Refueling Wing conduct an elephant walk on Beale Air Force Base, California, Jan. 4, 2024. The elephant walk showcased a display of joint airpower between the wings hosted at Beale.
U.S. Air Force U-2 Dragon Ladys and chase cars from the 99th Reconnaissance Squadron, T-38 Talons from the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron, and KC-135R Stratotankers from the 940th Air Refueling Wing conduct an elephant walk on Beale Air Force Base, California, Jan. 4, 2024. The elephant walk showcased a display of joint airpower between the wings hosted at Beale.
134 assets in this story
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The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron Thunderbirds begin their demonstration at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, April 3, 2022. The team is composed of eight pilots, four support officers, four civilians and more than 100 enlisted personnel performing in almost 30 job specialties.
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DF-ST-86-07786. Country: Egypt (EGY)
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An aerial view of the Roswell Industrial Air Center showing U.S. Navy aircraft parked on the flight line ramp. They are deployed for the world's largest joint service, multi-national tactical air operations exercise. Subject Operation/Series: ROVING SANDS '97 Base: Roswell State: New Mexico (NM) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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More than 200 Airmen and 10 A-10 Thunderbolt II Warthogs from the 924th Fighter Group of the 944th Fighter Wing are working out of Marine Corps Base Hawaii, July 29, 2022, during the units participation in Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022, July 21-Aug. 4. Twenty-six nations, 38 ships, three 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.
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Attendees visit the Joint Base Andrews 2022 Air and Space Expo at JBA, Md., Sept. 18, 2022. The Joint Base Andrews 2022 Air & Space Expos theme was designated "Innovate, Accelerate, Thrive...the Air Force at 75" and showcased performers such as the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, the F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team and the United States Air Force Academy Wings of Blue.
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Crew members from the Blue Angels perform mantenance on a F/A-18 Super Hornet at the Titans of Flight Air Expo, Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, April 7, 2022. The airshow showcases more than 50 aerial demonstration performances and static aircraft displays.
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DN-SC-87-11528. Base: San Diego State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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CDR. Donnie Cochran, commanding officer of the Navy's Blue Angel Flight Demonstration Squadron, climbs into the lead F/A-18 Hornet aircraft as the other pilots march off to their waiting planes at the beginning of their portion of the open house airshow at the Naval Air Station. Base: Naval Air Station, Cecil Field State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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A Royal Air Force Lakenheath F-15E Strike Eagle lands at Andravida Air Base, Greece, April 4, 2022. The 48th Fighter Wing from Royal Air Force Lakenheath flew alongside the Hellenic air force and other NATO partners during INIOCHOS 22, a Hellenic air force led exercise designed to enhance the interoperability and skills of allied and partner forces in the accomplishment of joint operations and air defenses.
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Members of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels perform pre-flight procedures prior to an aerial demonstration at the Titans of Flight Air Expo, Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, April 10, 2022. The airshow showcases more than 50 aerial demonstration performances and static aircraft displays.
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Arctic Thunder Open House crowds cheer after the West Coast F-18 demonstration team performs during the Arctic Thunder Open House at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, July 31, 2022. Hailing from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Lemoore, Calif., the VFA-122 West Coast Rhino Demonstration Team showcases the power and capabilities of the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet.
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An F-15C Eagle taxis after landing at Muniz Air National Guard Base in Carolina, Puerto Rico in support of North American Aerospace Defense Commands (NORAD) Operation Noble Defender (OND), 29 June, 2022. As a part of OND, which is a recurring operation, the Continental U.S. NORAD Region (CONR) coordinated and conducted joint operations with the U.S. Navy while concurrently launching jets from different locations across the United States' gulf coast and Puerto Rico. OND, is an integrated air and missile defense operation designed to ensure the defense and security of the northern and southern approaches to North America. This particular OND allowed NORAD units to exercise maneuvers designed to defend the southern approach to the United States from simulated cruise missile threats. NORAD is a bi-national Canadian and American command that employs a network of aerial, ground-based, and space-based sensors, air-to-air refueling tankers, and fighter aircraft controlled by a sophisticated co
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U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Jonathan Schaafsma, executive officer, Marine Test and Evaluation Squadron (VMX) 1, taxis under an arch of water as part of a traditional wet down after a final flight at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, April 21, 2022. This was Schaafsmas final flight after serving 20 years in the Marine Corps.
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Helo Air Station - 26-HK-147-43. Hurricane Katrina
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Airmen from the 129th Rescue Wing, California Air National Guard, gather for a group photo with incoming wing commander, U.S. Air Force Col. Victor L. Teal, Jr., on his first day in command, April 2, 2022, at Moffett Air National Guard Base, California.
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041003-F-8194F-029. Base: Joe Foss Field State: South Dakota (SD) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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Under the direction of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), two F-15C Eagle aircraft take-off from Barnes Air National Guard Base, Massachusetts, during air-defense Operation NOBLE DEFENDER, Oct. 27, 2022. Operation NOBLE DEFENDER is a long-planned NORAD exercise that validates the commands capability to defend Canada and the United States from every avenue of approach. The Continental U.S. NORAD Region (CONR) led this iteration of OND and coordinated and conducted combined operations, while concurrently launching aircraft from different locations across the northeast coast of the United States. F-15 and KC-135 aircraft from CONR and CF-18 aircraft from the Canadian NORAD Region participated in the operation. NORAD is a bi-national Canadian and U.S. command that employs a network of aerial, ground-based, and space-based sensors, air-to-air refueling tankers, and fighter aircraft controlled by a sophisticated command and control network to deter, detect and defend aga
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040112-M-5455N-014. Base: Naval Air Facility, El Centro State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: VMAQ-3
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Dover Air Force Base Honor Guard members present the colors in front of the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, F/A-18 Super Hornets, during the first days opening ceremony of the 2022 Thunder Over Dover Airshow, May 21, 2022, at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. This was the first time the Blue Angels performed at Dover AFB since 1991.
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A B-25 Mitchell and a P-40 Warhawk perform a fly-by during at Travis Air Force Base, California, May 14, 2022. The Wings Over Solano open house and air show provided an opportunity for the local community to interact directly with the base and its Airmen and see capabilities on full display at Travis AFB.
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DF-ST-86-12109. Base: North Field State: South Carolina (SC) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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Multiple A-10C Thunderbolt IIs assigned to the 66th Weapons Squadron, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, sit on the flight line at Naval Air Station North Island, California, November 7, 2022. In an effort to modernize and strengthen our military for strategic competition, the 549th Combat Training Squadron used Green Flag-West 23-02 to focus on facilitating air operations in maritime surface warfare missions, air-to-surface.
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The US Navy Blue Angels perform a demonstration at the Kaneohe Bay Air Show from August 12th through August 14th, 2022 at US Marine Corps base Kaneohe Bay. The Air Show at Kaneohe Bay demonstrated military prowess while entertaining many visitors with local vendors and demonstration teams such as the Blue Angels. (U.S. Army photograph by Spc. Joshua Oller/28th Public Affairs Detachment)
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070224-M-1726S-001. Base: Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: MCAS YUMA
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Airmen from the 129th Rescue Wing, California Air National Guard, gather for a group photo with incoming wing commander, U.S. Air Force Col. Victor Teal, Jr., on his first day in command, April 2, 2022, at Moffett Air National Guard Base, California.
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Aviation Training Center - Mobile Aircrew - Aftermath and Rescue - 26-HK-279-161. Hurricane Katrina
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Airmen from the 129th Rescue Wing, California Air National Guard, gather for a group photo with outgoing wing commander, U.S. Air Force Col. Jeffrey H. Waldman, on his last day in command, April 2, 2022, at Moffett Air National Guard Base, California.
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Air to air right side view of a formation of five F-15 Eagle fighters assigned to and lead by the flag ship of the 405th Tactical Training Wing (TTW) flying over over downtown Phoenix, Arizona. Front to rear the aircraft are assigned to, 555th, 550th TFTS (Tactical Fighter Training Squadron), 405th TTW, 426th and 461st TFTS, Luke AFB, Arizona. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Country: Unknown
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The Thunder and Lightning over Arizona 2023 Airshow at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona March 26, 2023. Air show attendees were able to engage with the displays and military members throughout the weekend.
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DF-ST-89-01138. Base: Maxwell Air Force Base State: Alabama (AL) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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A close up view of the base sign at the main gate. Base: Griffiss Air Force Base State: New York (NY) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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A close-up view of the base sign with a static F-16. The main gate is behind it. Base: Macdill Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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Kunsan Air Base main gate welcoming sign. Base: Kunsan Air Base Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)