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Military Aircraft Operations

Various military aircraft including C-130s, bombers, and refueling planes in flight, showcasing dynamic aerial operations and field conditions.

B-52 Bomber

A Royal Air Force C-130J Hercules covered in dust from field operations.

040518-N-6436W-004. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Country: Unknown

DF-ST-89-05278. Subject Operation/Series: DISTANT MARINER Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

020123-F-5872L-015. Subject Operation/Series: COPE TIGER '02 Country: Thailand (THA) Scene Major Command Shown: AMC

B-52 Bomber

A B-52G Stratofortress bomber aircraft of the 1709th Bomb Wing armed with Mark 82 500-pound bombs on the wing pylons, takes off on a mission during Operation Desert Storm.. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Saudi Arabia(SAU)

An F-16 from the 169th Fighter Wing in South Carolina escorts a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 134th Air Refueling Wing. The 134th Air Refueling Wing celebrated the centennial anniversary of in-flight refueling on June 27, 2023, by performing two flyovers and a total of seven in-flight refuelings in the skies over Tennessee.

DF-ST-86-09328. Country: Unknown

An E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft, assigned to NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany, approaches a KC-135 Stratotanker, assigned to the 92nd Air Refueling Wing, Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, for refueling over Romania, Dec. 8, 2022. An E-3A aircraft aids airspace defense with provided roles, such as fighter control, Search and Rescue support, missile defense and maritime operations support.

A KC-135 Stratotanker with the 914th Air Refueling Wing, New York, refuels a B-52 Stratofortress with the 307th Bomb Wing, Louisiana, July 8, 2022, over Southeastern United States. Boeing built 744 B-52s and delivered the last, a B-52H, in October 1962. Only the H model is still in the Air Force inventory; it is assigned to Air Force Global Strike Command.

A B-52 Stratofortress from the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., launches July 2, 2013, from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. . The deployment to Guam is for an ongoing military effort to provide a continuous bomber presence in the Western Pacific.

An A-10 Thunderbolt II, assigned to the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron (TES), fires Hydra rockets at the Nevada Test and Training Range, Nevada, Dec. 7, 2022. The 422nd TES is a geographically separated unit of the 53rd Test and Evaluation Group, Eglin AFB, Florida.

U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors assigned to the Virginia Air National Guard fly with a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the Alabama ANG for aerial refueling during Sentry Savannah 22-1, May 5, 2022. Sentry Savannah, an ANG near-peer threat training exercise, brought more than 60 aircraft from active duty, ANG and Air Reserve units to the Air Dominance Center for the exercise.

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon with the 180th Fighter Wing is refueled mid-air by a KC-135 Stratotanker with the 121st Air Refueling Wing above Ohio, Oct. 15, 2022. The F-16s were enroute to perform a flyover in Ann Arbor, Mich. for the Michigan vs. Penn State football game. (U.S. Air National Guard photos by Tech. Sgt. Wendy Kuhn)

Under the direction of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD),a KC-135 assigned to the Maine Air National Guard conducts air-to-air refueling from a KC-135 assigned to the Pennsylvania Air National Guard 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 comman

A B-52-H Stratofortress assigned to the 23rd Bomb Squadron from Minot Air Force Base flys over Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Feb. 1, 2024. Bomber Task Force missions are intended to demonstrate the Pacific Air Force's capacity to dominate, deny and deter any aggression or influence from adversaries. Air Force

A C-141 Starlifter aircraft from the 4th Squadron, McChord AFB, Wash., flies over the Pacific Ocean off the Washington state coastline during RODEO 94 competition. Subject Operation/Series: RODEO '94 Base: Mcchord Air Force Base State: Washington (WA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Air Force Maj. Dylan Thorpe, an A-10 East Demonstration Team pilot, showcases his flying talents during the demo team practice certification Feb. 1, 2011. Demonstration teams converged on Langley Air Force Base, Va., for three days to receive annual certification from the Air Combat Command commander.

An air-to-air front view of a B-52G Stratofortress aircraft armed with an AGM-84A Harpoon missile. Base: Andersen Air Base State: Guam (GU) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An A-10C Thunderbolt II flys over a crowd during a final flight at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, June 24, 2022. These final flights, also known as fini flights, are a tradition for pilots who are retiring or moving to another base.

031216-F-9629J-014. Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: AMC

DF-ST-89-07577. Base: Unknown

041118-F-9528H-023. Base: Biggs Army Air Field State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

030618-F-7709A-005. Country: Gulf Of Mexico Scene Major Command Shown: ANG

A head-on aerial view of a C-130 aircraft in flight to Cap Haitian, Haiti, to drop off supplies and equipment for the joint forces at the Haitian airport. Subject Operation/Series: UPHOLD DEMOCRACY Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

An AGM-86 air-launched cruise missile (ALCM) is being released on a B-52 Stratofortress aircraft. Base: Edwards Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

High angle right side view of an A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft assigned to the 81st Tactical Fighter Wing in flight. Country: North Sea

B-52H StratofortressPrimary function: Heavy bomber. Speed: 650 mph. Dimensions: Wingspan 185 ft.; length 159 ft. 4 in.; height 40 ft. 8 in. Range: 8,800 miles unrefueled. Armament: M117, Mk-56/62/65/82/84, CBU- 87/89/103/104/105, AGM-86B/C/D/129A/158A, GBU- 10/12/28/31/38; nuclear weapons. Crew: Five.

Aerial view, medium shot looking down at a USAF KC-10 Extender refueling a C-141 Starlifter cargo plane. This image is from the January 1999 edition of AIRMAN Magazine highlighting the Expeditionary Aerospace Force. Country: Unknown

An A-10 Thunderbolt II assigned to the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron (TES), flies over the Nevada Test and Training Range, Nevada, during a weapons evaluation mission Sept. 13, 2022. The A-10 Thunderbolt II offers excellent maneuverability at low airspeeds and altitude while maintaining a highly accurate weapons-delivery platform.

DF-ST-87-07428. Subject Operation/Series: COPE THUNDER '86-1 Country: Philippines (PHL)

A C-17 Globemaster III prepares to demonstrate aerial refueling capabilities during an aerial refueling demonstration over Kyrgzystan on June 8, 2012. The C-17's primary mission is to transport personnel and cargo into and out of the area of responsibility.

A KC-135T Stratotanker from the 171st Aerial Refueling Squadron of the 127th Wing at Selfridge Air National Guard Base getting ready to refuel an A-10C's from the 107th Fighter Squadron on an aerial refueling sortie on June 27, 2023. In addition to routine aerial refueling training in all conditions, aircraft from the 127th Wing, including A-10C Thunderbolt II attack aircraft of the 107th Fighter Squadron, commemorated the 100-year anniversary of the first aerial refueling conducted on June 23, 1923.

An air-to-air rear view of a YA-10 aircraft being refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker. Base: Edwards Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A B-52H Stratofortress flies away as another taxis onto the runway during a training exercise May 21, 2013, at Minot Air Force Base, N.D. Air Force Global Strike Command officials routinely conduct training operations and exercises to ensure their forces can perform their mission any time they are called upon.

A-10C of the Michigan Air National Guard taking off.

040102-F-9629J-013. Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: AMC

A C-17 Globemaster III aircraft from the 7th Air Lift Sqadron, 62nd Air Lift Wing, McChord Air Force Base, Washington, prepares to connect with a KC-135R from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, 18th Wing, Kadena Air Base, Japan, during a refueling mission over the South China Sea in support of an India earthquake support mission, the Globemaster aircraft was carrying 13,000lbs of tents and blankets. Country: Unknown

An air-to-air right side view of an Air Anti-submarine Squadron 31 (VS-31) S-3B Viking aircraft over the Persian Gulf. The Viking is armed with an AGM-84A Harpoon missile. Country: Unknown

U.S. Army soldiers jump during Operation Toy Drop 2.0 on Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Dec. 9, 2022. The U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological OperationsCommand (Airborne) in conjunction with local Fort Bragg and partner nations Airborneorganizations conduct the Randy Oler Memorial Operation Toy Drop 2.0, a combined airbornetraining event at Fort Bragg, NC from 5-12 December, 2022 to increase joint airborne operationvalidation and standardization, and interoperability with partner nations while providingcommunity outreach.

A U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon, with the Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida, flies away from the boom of a KC-135 Stratotanker with the 914th Air Refueling Wing, New York, August 28, 2022 in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Area of Responsibility. The Poseidon is multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft, specializing in anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface warfare; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and search and rescue.

DF-ST-86-05295. State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA)

NORAD aircraft receive fuel via air refueling from a U.S. Air Force KC-135 from the Alabama Air National Guard's 117th Air Refueling Wing over the Gulf of Mexico in support of North American Aerospace Defense Command's Operation Noble Defender March 24, 2023. Continental U.S. NORAD Region coordinated the launch of the U.S. Air Force F-15 Eagles from the Louisiana Air National Guard's 159th Fighter Wing and an E-3 Airborne Warning and Controls System aircraft to conduct intercept operations with the bomber as it entered the Air Defense Identification Zone off the coast of New Orleans. NORAD units exercised maneuvers designed to defend the southern approach to the United States from simulated cruise missile threats in the particular OND.

DF-ST-85-12446. Base: Fairchild Air Force Base State: Washington (WA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Air-to-air, side view of a 22nd Air Refueling Wing KC-10A Extender from March AFB, California preparing to refuel an in trail 60th Airlift Wing's C-5B Galaxy over the High Sierra mountains of northern California. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Base: Travis Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Two Lockheed P2V-7B, P-2H & SP-2H Neptune Maritime patrol flying cylinders (1961-1982) on patrol in the west.

DN-SC-85-06083. Country: Unknown

A Royal Air Force C-17 Globemaster approaching RAF Brize Norton, England.

040916-F-9429S-009. Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the South Carolina Air National Guard fly with a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the Alabama ANG for aerial refueling during Sentry Savannah 22-1, May 5, 2022. Sentry Savannah, an ANG near-peer threat training exercise, brought more than 60 aircraft from active duty, ANG and Air Reserve units to the Air Dominance Center for the exercise.

Three EA-6B Prowlers belonging to each Prowler squadron aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point conducted a "Final Four" division flight aboard the air station March 1, 2016. The "Final Four" flight is the last time the Prowler squadrons will be flying together before the official retirement of Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Training Squadron 1 at the end of Fiscal Year 16 and the eventual transition to "MAGTF EW". MAGTF EW is a more distributed strategy where every platform contributes to the EW mission, enabling relevant tactical information to move throughout the electromagnetic spectrum and across the battlefield faster than ever before.

A C-5 Galaxy aircraft lands during exercise Proud Phantom. Subject Operation/Series: PROUD PHANTOM Base: Cairo West Country: Egypt (EGY)

A KC-135 Stratotanker from the 100th Air Refueling Wing, RAF Mildenhall, England, refuels an F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy, March 4, 2015, during Exercise Iron Hand over southern France. The aircraft were participating in a combined training event designed to enhance interoperability between the two wings and refine techniques and procedures. This type of planned, routine training allows a key opportunity for U.S. Air Forces in Europe -Air Forces Africa wings to work with each other to ensure assets are ready to conduct real-world missions effectively and efficiently when called upon.

DF-ST-87-04061. Country: Unknown

An A-10 Thunderbolt II assigned to the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron, flies over the Nevada Test and Training Range, Nevada, during a weapons evaluation mission Sept. 15, 2022. The A-10 Thunderbolt II offers excellent maneuverability at low airspeeds and altitude while maintaining a highly accurate weapons-delivery platform.

Lightning strikes behind a B-1B Lancer during an evening thunderstorm Sept. 9, 2010, at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D. Ellsworth is home to the 28th Bomb Wing which maintains a fleet of 28 B-1s.

031219-F-9629J-008. Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

A KC-135 Stratotanker refuels a B-52 Stratofortress over the Indian Ocean.

An MC-130J Commando II assigned to the 1st Special Operations Squadron approaches a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron to receive fuel over the Pacific Ocean, March 27, 2023. As the only U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command unit in the Pacific, the 353rd Special Operations Wing is the focal point for special operations aviation activity in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command theater.

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 77th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, prepares to refuel from a KC-10 Extender assigned to the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron over an undisclosed location in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Nov. 9, 2022. With assistance from the KC-10, F-16s are able to remain in the air for longer durations, maximizing their patrol time and ensuring regional stability.

DF-SC-85-09934. Country: Unknown

Northrop Grumman Military Jets Grumman Fixed Wing Aviat Airplanes B-2A Spirit stealth bomber sky

DF-ST-86-12398. Base: Seymour Johnson Air Force Base State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer turns on to final approach at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.

A 1st Tactical Fighter Wing F-15C Eagle aircraft refuels from a KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft while on a combat patrol near the Iraqi border during Operation Desert Shield.

A left side view of an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft being refueled in flight by a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft as another Falcon awaits its turn. The Falcons, from the 10th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 50th Tactical Fighter Wing, are carrying AN/ALQ-131 pods and missile dispensers. Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)

An EP-3E Orion aircraft, center, is followed by two EA-3B Skywarrior aircraft during flight operations near Gibraltar. The three aircraft are from Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron 2 (VQ-2).. Country: Mediterranean Sea(MED)

DN-SC-04-15206. Base: Grand Canyon State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Arabian Sea, October 15, 2012 - An EA-6B Prowler flies over the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise.

A-10C Thunderbolt II with the Demonstration Team from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base flies next to a KC-135R Stratotanker with the 155th Air Refueling Wing, Aug. 11, 2022, during an air refueling. A-10 pilots received fuel from the 173rd Air Refueling Squadron in order to arrive and prepare for their air show in Akron, Ohio.

A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft is refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraftfrom Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, over the Pacific Ocean, Nov. 21, 2022. The missionrequired the crew to fly to Travis AFB, California, where they loaded 8,000 pounds of cargo andsupplies, followed by providing air refueling training for a C-17 from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.

A Digital Image Generation (DIG) aerial refueling, seen air-to-air. Base: Williams Air Force Base State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA)

020514-F-0193C-021. Country: Unknown

DF-ST-84-08189. Subject Operation/Series: VOLANT RODEO Base: Pope Air Force Base State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

030625-F-6844O-002. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Tallil Air Base State: Dhi Qar Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: CENTCOM

A Navy E-6A Mercury, an airborne communications platform, from Strategic Command Wing One, Tinker AFB approaches the refueling boom of an USAF KC-135 tanker for a mid-air refueling during the exercise GLOBAL GUARDIAN '98. Subject Operation/Series: GLOBAL GUARDIAN '98 Base: Tinker Air Force Base State: Oklahoma (OK) Country: United States Of America (USA)

040727-F-6701P-003. Base: Ramstein Air Base State: Rheinland-Pfalz Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)

A C-130 Hercules aircraft with four firebee target drones hung under its wings passes over the amphibious assault ship USS NASSAU (LHA-4) (not shown) in preparation for live-fire testing of the new Rolling-Airframe-Missile (RAM) system recently installed on board the ship. The tests are being conducted off the coast of Puerto Rico. Country: Caribbean Sea

A 23rd Bombardment Squadron B-52H Stratofortress aircraft comes in for a landing after a bombing mission during the strategic Air Command exercise Giant Warrior '89. Subject Operation/Series: GIANT WARRIOR '89 Base: Eielson Air Force Base State: Alaska (AK) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An air-to-air front view of a two 495th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-111F aircraft flying a mission out of Moron Air Base, Spain, 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 Country: Unknown

A B-52 Stratofortress assigned to the 69th Bomb Squadron, Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, flies during Red Flag-Nellis 22-3 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, July 18, 2022. RF-N 22-3 provides realistic combat training that saves lives while increasing combat effectiveness.

Air to air front view of a flight of five C-141 Starlifters, assigned to the 63rd Military Airlift Wing, Norton AFB, California, flying in formation over the southern California desert. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Country: Unknown

The KC-46A Pegasus deploys the centerline boom for the first time Oct. 9, 2015. The boom is the fastest way to refuel aircraft at 1,200 gallons per minute. (Boeing photo/John D. Parker)

Right side view of a B-1 bomber aircraft being refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft over the base range during testing and evaluation. The KC-135 is assigned to the 141st Air Refueling Wing, Washington Air National Guard. Base: Edwards Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An air-to-air left rear view of a B-1B bomber being refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft during a flight test. This is the first flight in four years for this particular B-1B. Base: Edwards Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An air-to-air front view of a B-1B aircraft during Exercise Distant Mariner. Subject Operation/Series: DISTANT MARINER Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

A C-17 Globemaster III from the 15th Airlift Wing at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 18th Wing, Kadena Air Base, Japan

The B-2 flies over the Utah Testing and Training Range at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, during a test run in which the B-2 dropped 80 inert Joint Direct Attack Munitions.

A KC-135R assigned to the Utah Air National Guard's 151st Air Refueling Wing conducts air refueling operations with A-10s assigned to the 23rd Fighter Group, Moody Air Force base, Georgia. The A-10s received fuel during their cross-country flight enroute to Nellis Air Force base, Nevada.

Three Lockheed P2V-7B, P-2H & SP-2H Neptune Maritime patrol flying cylinders (1961-1982) in formation above the Netherlands.

An MQ-9 Reaper flies a training mission over the White Sands National Monument in Southern New Mexico.

Operation Linebacker II was a US Seventh Air Force and US Navy Task Force 77 aerial bombing campaign, conducted against targets in the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam) during the final period of US involvement in the Vietnam War. The operation was conducted from 18-29 December 1972, leading to several informal names such as 'The December Raids' and 'The Christmas Bombings'. It saw the largest heavy bomber strikes launched by the US Air Force since the end of World War II. Linebacker II was a resumption of the Operation Linebacker bombings conducted from May to October, with the emphasis of the new campaign shifted to attacks by B-52 Stratofortress bombers rather than tactical fighter aircraft. 1,600 civilians died in Hanoi and Haiphong in the raids. During operation Linebacker II a total of 741 B-52 sorties were dispatched to bomb North Vietnam. 15,237 tons of ordnance were dropped on 18 industrial and 14 military targets (including eight SAM sites) while fighter-bombers

Left side view of C-130 Hercules aircraft in flight during Exercise Team Spirit '82. Subject Operation/Series: TEAM SPIRIT '82 Base: Osan Air Base Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

030315-F-4219L-004. Base: RAF Fairford State: Gloucestershire Country: United Kingdom (GBR)

040421-F-7823A-001. Country: Iraq (IRQ)

A KC-135 Stratotanker from the 121st Air Refueling Wing refuels a C-17 Globemaster from the 911th Airlift Wing in-flight, August 18, 2022. The KC-135 provides the core aerial refueling for the United States Air Force.

The Idaho Air National Guards 124th Fighter Wing hosted the biennial A-10 Thunderbolt II competition, Hawgsmoke, Sept. 6-9, 2022. On Sept. 8, nearly 30 A-10s from across the nation took off from Gowen Field's flight line for the competition that took place at Idaho's Saylor Creek Range. 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 190th was announced winners of the 2022 Hawgsmoke on Sept. 9, making this overall win the squadrons fourth 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.

040430-F-1844A-001. Base: Clairborne Bombing Range State: Louisiana (LA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

020222-F-9232S-002. Subject Operation/Series: NOBLE EAGLE Base: Selfridge Air Natl Guard Base State: Michigan (MI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

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