Military Aircraft Operations

Various military aircraft on airfields, showcasing maintenance and readiness activities, with a focus on cargo and transport planes.

An Italian Air Force C-27J taxis in after landing at RAF Fairford.

041116-F-9629J-088. Base: Biggs Army Airfield State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Air Force base personnel conduct maintenance checks on a C-17 Globemaster III during preparations for Hurricane Ian at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, Sept. 28, 2022. The base routinely relocates aircraft prior to extreme weather conditions in order to continue the rapid global mobility mission and to avoid potential damage.

U.S. Air Force base personnel conduct maintenance checks on a C-17 Globemaster III during preparations for Hurricane Ian at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, Sept. 28, 2022. The base routinely relocates aircraft prior to extreme weather conditions in order to continue the rapid global mobility mission and to avoid potential damage.

980623-F-2171A-013. Base: Mcchord Air Force Base State: Washington (WA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

The flight engineer assists with the engine shut down of the C-130 Hercules after its arrival at the Kansas City, Mo., Downtown Airport. The C-130s are participating in Exercise Patriot Express '95. Subject Operation/Series: PATRIOT EXPRESS '95 Base: Kansas City Downtown Airport State: Missouri (MO) Country: United States Of America (USA)

030411-F-4806N-002. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base Country: Romania (ROM)

An Italian Air Force C-27J taxis in after landing at RAF Fairford.

050105-F-9429S-006. Base: Karshni-Khanabad Air Base Country: Uzbekistan (UZB)

U.S. Air National Guard units from the 152nd Airlift Wing, Nevada Air National Guard, 153rd Airlift Wing, Wyoming Air National Guard, 146th Airlift Wing, California Air National Guard and the 302nd Airlift Wing, Air Force Reserves, Colorado Springs, equipped with Modular Airborne Firefighting Systems conduct annual training operations at Gowen Field, Idaho April 27, 2022. The MAFFS units are training for a U.S. Northern Command mission. In the event of activation during the fire year, First Air Force (AFNORTH), U.S. Northern Command's Air Component Command, is the DoD's operational lead for the aerial military efforts to support USDA Forest Service-National Interagency Fire Center requests for fire suppression support.

A KC-10 Extender aircraft from McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey, taxi's to the runway at Naval Station Diego Garcia. The aircraft is on it's way home at the end of the crew's rotation in support of Operation DESERT THUNDER 2. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT THUNDER 2 Base: Nav Sup Activity, Diego Garcia Country: British Indian Ocean Territory (IOT)

021101-F-6701P-005. Base: Ramstein Air Base State: Rheinland-Pfalz Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)

C-130 Hercules line the runway before a flight, at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., Oct. 3, 2012. The aircraft were part of a 14-ship formation.

Hill Air Force Base and the local community hosted the 2022 Warriors Over The Wasatch Air & Space Show. The show featured more than a dozen worldclass acts, including an F-35A Lightning II demonstration by the 388th Fighter Wing, and a large assortment of Air Force, Army and Space displays.

U.S. Air Forces in Europe C-130 Hercules at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

A rear view of 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 U.S. Marine Corps KC-130J Super Hercules prepares for take with a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System on board as part of HIMARS Direct Reload In Plane/Download Resupply training at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 20, 2024. Conducting HIDRIP/HIDROP training establishes clear roles, responsibilities, and expectations between ground combat and aviation elements, ensuring successful embarkation and reload process during rapid insertions. The Marines are with 3d Battalion, 12th Marines assigned to 12th Marine Littoral Regiment, 3d Marine Division and Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.

A 437th Military Airlift Wing C-141B Starlifter aircraft carrying the remains of members of the 3rd Bn., 502nd Inf., 101st Airborne Div., arrives at the base. On December 12, 1985, 248 soldiers of the 3rd Battalion were killed in a plane crash at Gander Airport, Newfoundland, Canada. They were returning to the United States after participating in peacekeeping duty with the Multi-national Force and Observers in the Sinai Desert. Base: Dover Air Force Base State: Delaware (DE) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A U.S. Air Force Air National Guard C130 Hercules assigned to 133rd Airlift Wing, St. Paul, Minnesota, is staged with a U.S. Marine Corps High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System with 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, aboard in support of exercise Valiant Shield 2022 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, June 7, 2022. Exercise such as Valiant Shield allows the Indo-Pacific Command Joint Forces the opportunity to integrate forces from all branches of service to conduct precise, lethal, and overwhelming multi-axis, multi-domain effects that demonstrate the strength and versatility of the Joint Force and our commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

U.S. Marines with 3d Battalion, 12th Marines, 3d Marine Division and Airmen with 353 Special Operations Wing conduct a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System Rapid Infiltration during Marine Aviation Support Activity 22.1 in Luzon, Philippines, June 8, 2022. MASA 22 is a bilateral exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. Marine Corps, aimed at increasing interoperability and improving aviation-related capabilities in support of U.S.-Philippine mutual defense.

Members of the 165th Airlift Wing, Georgia Air National Guard, return to Savannah, Georgia from a deployment to Europe in a C-130 Hercules on April 5, 2022. The Airmen deployed in support of the U.S. Air Forces Europe and provided logistical support and a tactical airlift package supplying military aid.

040826-F-2233S-060. Base: Harrisburg International Airport State: Pennsylvania (PA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A member of an Air Force maintenance squadron inspects an engine of a 63rd Military Airlift Wing C-141B Starlifter aircraft prior to conducting engine start up tests. The Starlifter, which was badly damaged during a landing mishap in January 1987, is undergoing the final stages of repair before its eventual return to the United States. Base: Marine Corps Air Station,Iwakuni Country: Japan (JPN)

A close in 3/4 left view of a C-130 from the 123rd Louisville Kentucky Air National Guard leaving the airport ramp carrying troops and equipment from Task Force 51, Mannheim, Germany, for redeployment. Subject Operation/Series: SUPPORT HOPE Base: Goma Country: Zaire (ZAR)

A US Air Force C-130 Hercules taxis to the runway for take off. The aircraft will be used to airlift US Army soldiers and cargo to the training area near L'viv, Ukraine, for humanitarian and peacekeeping exercises with the Ukrainian Army. Subject Operation/Series: PEACE SHIELD '95 Base: Rhein-Main Air Base Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)

Fuels operators assigned to the 6th Logistics Readiness Squadron exercise multi-source refueling for a C-5 Super Galaxy aircraft assigned to the 436th Airlift Wing, Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, at MacDill AFB, Florida, Dec. 12, 2022. Multi-source refueling is an efficient refueling method used for large aircraft that require more fuel. The process often involves refueling from multiple sources such as a hydrant system and a refueling vehicle or several refueling vehicles.

Five C-130 Hercules aircraft from the Georgia Air National Guard taxi in on the flightline after completing a 5-ship formation flight at the 165th Airlift Wing in Garden City, Georgia, on Sept. 11, 2022. The formation flight showcased the recently completed modernization of the C-130 fleet.

DF-ST-86-09202. Base: Raaf Williamtown Country: Australia (AUS)

A U.S. Air Force C-5M Super Galaxy arrives at Subic Bay International Airport to deliver equipment in support of oil-spill response operations on March 26, 2023. The Exercise Balikatan 23 Joint Mobility Coordination Cell enabled timely delivery of equipment to assist the Philippine Government in cleaning affected areas in Mindoro, Philippines. 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.

The Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron-352 (Raiders) (VMGR-352)'s Jolly Roger flags flies proudly on one of their KC-130/R stopped outside the Kandahar Airport in Afghanistan during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Kandahar International Airport Country: Afghanistan (AFG) Scene Major Command Shown: VMGR-352

A C-5M Super Galaxy assigned to Travis Air Force Base, California, delivers 36 pallets of medical supplies and equipment Aug. 26, 2022, to Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, as part of the Denton Cargo Program. Joint Task Force-Bravo and the 612th Air Base Squadron support the Denton Cargo Program, which provides much needed supplies to our partners across Central America. Soto Cano Air Base has the only C-5 capable U.S.-operated runway in the region.

SENIOR AIRMAN Adam Brunkow, Aero Structure Repairman, and Airmen First Class Rian Capaci, and Ken Sergent, C-130 Crew Chiefs with the 4410th Airlift Squadron conduct a routine structure inspection on a C-130 Hercules. This is part of the relocation of Operation Southern Watch and the 4404th Wing (Provisional ) from Dhahran after a terrorist bomb killed 19 Air Force personnel in June. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT FOCUS Base: Prince Sultan Air Base Country: Saudi Arabia (SAU)

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

Maintainers preflight a C-17 Globemaster III in the rain for a late morning flight at Stewart Air National Guard Base, N.Y., Oct. 19, 2012.

980616-F-2907C-041. Base: Mcchord Air Force Base State: Washington (WA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

041023-F-9032T-002. Subject Operation/Series: OPERATION SILVERBACK EXPRESS Base: Kigali Country: Rwanda (RWA)

The first fixed-wing aircraft, an MC-130H Combat Talon II, lands at Sendai Airport March 16th thanks to a collaborative effort between Japanese workers and the 320th Special Tactics Squadron.

980623-F-6655M-004. Base: Mcchord Air Force Base State: Washington (WA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A U.S. Marine Corps Joint Light Tactical Vehicle prepares to load onto a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III attached to 15th Wing during exercise Bougainville II at Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands, Hawaii, Oct. 31, 2022. 3d Marine Littoral Regiment interdicted a notional adversary maritime surface platform to set conditions for joint force follow on actions. BVII is a field exercise that allows the MLR and its subordinate units to conduct expeditionary advanced base operations across the island of Oahu. BVII displays the MLRs ability to rapidly establish and displace EABs while executing command and control in a dispersed environment3d MLRs Bougainville II is integrated into the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center training rotation 23-01 that strengthens defense relationships, fosters multinational interoperability, increase readiness, and reinforces the unified regional land power network of the Joint Force. This rotation of JPRMC includes participants from all

Two U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 36th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron park on the flightline at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Nov. 30 ,2022. Three Yokotas C-130Js carried with Airmen who participated in OCD arrived at same day. OCD is one of many events where U.S. and partner nation forces operate side by side, with this event emblematic of our mutual respect and cooperation with our friends and neighbors.

020104-F-3356N-008. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Country: Unknown Scene Major Command Shown: CENTAF

An Airman assigned to the 305th Air Mobility Wing approaches a KC-46A Pegasus on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., Jun. 17, 2022. The KC-46A Pegasus is a wide body, multirole tanker that can refuel all U.S., allied and coalition military aircraft compatible with international aerial refueling procedures.

Three A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft taxi onto the runway as they prepare to depart to Yuma, Ariz. Several Moody A-10C aircraft traveled to Arizona to participate in the Enhanced Mojave Viper Exercise.

A C-17 Globemaster III awaits a mission in support of a training exercise at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Aug. 24, 2022. The C-17 is capable of strategically carrying troops and cargo to any operating base in the world.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Tristian Acosta, left, 312th Airlift Squadron C-5M Super Galaxy engineer, prepares a C-5M for an offload as the engines are running during Exercise Dragon Spark at Travis Air Force Base, California, Oct. 14, 2022. Exercise Golden Spark provided units from the 60th Air Mobility Wing and the 621st Contingency Response Wing an opportunity to sync operations in preparation for a national disaster.

A U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron, Yokota Air Base, Japan, performs dirt strip operations at Donnelly Training Area, Alaska, in support of RED FLAG-Alaska 22-2, June 17, 2022. This exercise provides unique opportunities to integrate various forces into joint, coalition and multilateral training from simulated forward operating bases.

A Royal Thai Air Force C-130H Hercules taxis on a runway at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Aug. 11, 2022. The Royal Thai Air Forces 601st Squadron came to Japan to perform their own multilateral trainings. Thailand is part of the United Nations and Yokota Air Base is one of seven U.S. bases designated for joint United Nations Command - Rear use.

011114-F-5795G-006. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Country: Unknown Scene Major Command Shown: CENTAF

US Air Force KC-10 Extenders from the 32nd Aerial Refueling Squadron, McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey, are parked on the ramp at Moron Air Base, Spain, to continue aerial refueling operations in support of Operation Phoenix Duke II. US Air Force KC-10 Extenders from the 32nd Aerial Refueling Squadron, McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey, are parked on the ramp at Moron Air Base, Spain, to continue aerial refueling operations in support of Operation Phoenix Duke II.

U.S. Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 323, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, board a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III bound for Poland from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, June 6, 2022. VMFA-323 is deployed to Poland to provide defensive counter-air support to our NATO allies and partners. NATOs strength lies in its unity, which has never been greater than it is today.

An HC-130J Combat King II lands at Avon Park, Florida, to transport simulated casualties during exercise Agile Flag 22-2, July 23, 2022. Agile Flag 22-2 is Air Combat Command's first lead-wing certification event designed to demonstrate the 23rd Wing's capability to generate combat air power while continuing to move, maneuver, and sustain the Wing and subordinate force elements in a dynamic and contested environment.

An airman marshals a C-5 Galaxy cargo aircraft through a crowded flightline at Moron Air Base, Spain, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Moron Air Base State: Sevilla Country: Spain (ESP) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

A Portuguese Air Force P-3P Orion at Beja Air Base, Portugal.

A Kuwaiti soldier stands as armed escort for Secretary of Defense William Perry (not shown) as he arrives at Kuwait International Airport, Kuwait City, on board a C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft from Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina. Base: Kuwait City Country: Kuwait (KWT)

Four C-130 Hercules from the 36th Airlift Squadron taxi out for a training mission during an eight-ship sortie June 4, 2012, at Yokota Air Base, Japan. The training tested Yokota AB Airmens ability to perform large-force employment and tactics.

KC-135T Stratotanker aircraft from the 127th Wing, Selfridge Air National Guard base, Michigan, lined up and prepared to fly refueling missions during a surge exercise July 28, 2022. The unit employed a week-long increase in flying July 25-29, 2022, that was designed to bring full-time and drill-status guardsmen together for maximum training exposure in a short amount of time.

C-130 Hercules aircraft taxi on the runway as they take part in Exercise Volant Cape, designed to test the capabilities of the 314th Tactical Airlift Wing's War Readiness Spare Parts Kit. Wing members must use only the parts provided in the kit to keep a squadron of 16 C-130s operational over a 30-day period. Subject Operation/Series: VOLANT CAPE Base: Little Rock Air Force Base State: Arkansas (AR) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A U.S. Air Force HC-130J Combat King II, assigned to the 79th Rescue Squadron, lands at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Oct. 8, 2022. Members with the 355th Wing returned home on two C-130s after an overseas deployment.

May 20, 2009 - A C-17 Globemaster lands on the runway in participation of Mobility Air Forces Exercise at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.

Airmen assigned to the 79th Rescue Squadron perform pre-flight inspections before flight at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, April 5, 2022. The HC-130J Combat King II is a rapidly deployable aircraft that provides recovery operations, refueling operations and humanitarian assistance operations.

A KC-10 tanker, bringing members of the 90th Fighter Squadron, comes to a stop on the runway. Subject Operation/Series: FOAL EAGLE '96 Base: Kunsan Air Base Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

011013-F-4406B-008. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Naval Air Station, Sigonella State: Sicily Country: Italy (ITA) Scene Major Command Shown: AMC

A 380th Expeditionary Maintenance Group tow team moves a KC-10 Extender, while maintainers participate in a foreign object debris walk April 28, 2014, in Southwest Asia. The groups mission is to perform intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and aerial refueling in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.

An A-10 Thunderbolt II from the 124th Fighter Wing, Idaho Air National Guard, and A C-130 Hercules from the 130th Airlift Wing, West Virginia Air National Guard, taxi the runway during Agile Rage 22, at the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, Mich., June 10, 2022. Agile Rage is a new Air National Guard exercise designed to test a unit's ability to implement Agile Combat Employment and work in an austere combat environment.

A Royal Air Force C-130J Hercules assigned to No. 47 Squadron, RAF Brize Norton, England, undergoes pre-flight checks during RED FLAG-Alaska 22-1 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, May 10, 2022. Approximately 2,200 service members from the U.S., Great Britain and Canada are expected to fly, maintain and support more than 90 aircraft from over 25 units during this iteration of the exercise.

U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft from the 130th Airlift Wing, McLaughlin Air National Guard Base, Charleston, West Virginia, lands after performing an airdrop during Agile Combat Employment (ACE) training during Agile Rage 22, Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, Mich., June 10, 2022. ACE is not a specific mission, but a universal application to all combat air force operations. ACE is the ability to project combat power anytime, anywhere, while remaining operationally unpredictable to complicate an adversary's decision making process.

A U.S. Marine Corps KC-130J Super Hercules, assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 234, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Forces Reserve, taxis to the runway aboard Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, April 5, 2022. The Marine Corps utilizes HIMARS and its KC-130J aircraft to provide combatant commanders with rapidly deployable precision fires asset, capable of being anywhere in the world within 24 hours.

A U.S. Air Force HC-130J Combat King II, assigned to the 79th Rescue Squadron, taxis down the flight line at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, June 7, 2022. Members with the 355th Wing returned home on two C-130s after an overseas deployment.

020315-F-0675P-001. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Country: Unknown

040227-F-9232S-111. Base: Mcchord Air Force Base State: Washington (WA) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: 127th Wing

011013-F-4406B-007. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Naval Air Station, Sigonella State: Sicily Country: Italy (ITA) Scene Major Command Shown: AMC

A U.S. Marine Corps KC-130J Hercules assigned to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1), touches down during Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course 1-23 at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, Sept. 30, 2022. WTI is a seven-week training event hosted by MAWTS-1, providing standardization advanced tactical training and certification of unit instructor qualifications to support Marine aviation training and readiness and assist in developing and employing aviation weapons and tactics.

The last C-130H Hercules prepares to depart from the 179th Airlift Wing at Mansfield Lahm ANGB, Ohio, July 7, 2022. This aircraft, tail 88-4401, will retire and become a static display at the MAPS Air Museum (Military Aviation Preservation Society), an internationally known museum of aviation in North Canton, Ohio. After being selected to become the nation's first Air National Guard Cyber Wing, the unit is transitioning from flying the C-130H Hercules to a new mission assigned to Air Combat Command.

A KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron is parked on the flightline prior to flight in support of a joint training exercise over the Pacific Ocean, Oct. 24, 2022. Joint training strengthens partnerships and enhances capabilities, allowing the U.S. to maintain air supremacy and ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific.

A C-141 Starlifter from the 62nd Air Wing at McChord AFB, Wash., touches down on the flight line at McChord AFB, Wash., as its exact time of arrival is logged by score keepers on the 25th of June 94 as part of the first day of competition of the U.S. Air Force's Air Mobility Command's annual mobility competition "RODEO 94". Subject Operation/Series: RODEO '94 Base: Mcchord Air Force Base State: Washington (WA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

030304-F-1698M-005. Base: Lajes Field Country: Azores (AZR) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

030421-F-4806N-003. Base: Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base Country: Romania (ROM) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

Right side front view medium shot as a C-17A Globemaster III from the 437th Airlift Wing, at Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina, is departing from Hoedspruit AFB, South Africa, after delivering cargo and personnel (cargo and personnel not shown) to aid in the distribution of relief supplies in Mozambique for "Operation Atlas Response." A member of the South African Air Force stands on the tarmac marshalling the aircraft. Subject Operation/Series: ATLAS RESPONSE Base: Hoedspruit Air Force Base Country: South Africa (ZAF)

A U.S. Air Force C-130J from Moody Air Force Base taxis along the runway at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Florida, July 22, 2022, as part of AGILE FLAG 22-2. Participating units for AGILE FLAG 22-2 travelled from Moody AFB, Shaw AFB, Dyess AFB, Hurlburt AFB, MacDill AFB, Travis AFB, and Robbins AFB to the Air Dominance Center in Savannah, Georgia, and other regional locations for the duration of the exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Lionel Castellano)

A U.S. Air Force HC-130J Combat King II, assigned to the 79th Rescue Squadron, taxis down the flight line at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Oct. 8, 2022. Members with the 355th Wing returned home on two C-130s after an overseas deployment.

An Airman assigned to the 305th Air Mobility Wing marshals in a KC-46A Pegasus on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., Jun. 17, 2022. The KC-46A Pegasus is a wide body, multirole tanker that can refuel all U.S., allied and coalition military aircraft compatible with international aerial refueling procedures.

Sergeant Ricky Poon, USMC, First Mech (Mechanic), Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron-352 (VMGR-352) stands at the door of his KC-130/R during a brief stop on a forward operating base to pick up ground troops from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (MEU(SOC)) during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Country: Unknown Scene Major Command Shown: VMGR-352

A contractor from the 88th Logistics Readiness Squadron at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio directs an AC-130J Ghostrider gunship to the runway as it departs WPAFB Sept. 29, 2022. Aircraft, equipment and Airmen were repositioned from Hurlburt Field, Florida to WPAFB in preparation for possible impacts from Hurricane Ian.

C-130 Awaits a Mission

A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III taxis on the flightline at Travis Air Force Base, California, March 29, 2023. The C-17 was part of a 50th anniversary of Operation Homecoming commemoration flight, which retraced the original mission. Operation Homecoming returned 591 American prisoners of war from Vietnam in 1973.

Delaware Air National Guard C-130H aircraft taking off from Hohn Air Base, Germany.

040521-F-9032T-002. Base: RAF Lakenheath State: East Anglia Country: England / Great Britain (ENG) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

011031-F-5795G-012. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Country: Unknown Scene Major Command Shown: CENTCOM

An 86th Airlift Wing C-130J Super Hercules aircraft sits on the flightline before a training flight at Ramstein Air Base Germany Feb. 13, 2024. The goal of the exercise was to practice mission readiness tactics with the U.S. Army and the German Army, to ensure air superiority in Europe. Air Force

A C-130J Super Hercules from Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, a C-130J Super Hercules from Yokota Air Base, Japan and a C-17 from March Air Reserve Base, California sit on a flightline during the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center training exercise at Air Station Barbers Point, Hawaii, November 3, 2022. Department of Defense entities and national allies from around the pacific area of responsibility participated in the JPMRC.

A member of the 123rd Logistics Readiness Squadron prepares to load a vehicle onto a North Carolina Air National Guard C-17 Globemaster III at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Feb. 10, 2023. The vehicle is being transported to the Northern Mariana Islands for Cope North, a multinational exercise designed to enhance combat readiness in the South Pacific. Fourteen Kentucky Air Guardsmen from the 123rd Contingency Response Group are providing air base-opening and cargo-handling capabilities for Cope North.

A B-52 Stratofortress aircraft, 96th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, returns to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, July 20, 2009. The B-52s flew a fly over as part of the memorial unveiling to dedicate those who lost their lives on July 21st, 2008. The B-52s are deployed from Barksdale, La., to support U.S. Pacific CommandÕs Theater Security package and Continuous Bomber Presence in the Asia-Pacific region.

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 U.S. Air Force Airman makes final preparations on an AC-130J Ghostrider gunship from the 1st Special Operations Wing, Hurburt Field, Florida before its 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.

Civic leaders from the local community tour Rosecrans Air National Guard Base, St. Joseph, Missouri, on Oct. 14, 2022. About 30 elected officials, local businesses and community leaders learned about the mission of the 139th Airlift Wing as part of a community engagement event.

Three U.S Air Force pilots assigned to the 317th Airlift Squadron walk to a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft parked on the flight line at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, Jan. 25, 2022. The mission of the 317th Airlift Squadron is to recruit, train and support combat ready aircrews in order to meet global taskings. (U.S. Air Force photo be Senior Airman Taylor Crul)

Two US Marine Corps (USMC) KC-130 Hercules aircraft assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron Two Three Four (VMGR-234), fly in trail formation over the countryside in Central Iraq, during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Country: Iraq (IRQ)

A C-130J Super Hercules aircraft assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron prepares to land during exercise Agile Wolf 22 at Koszalin, Poland, Sept. 14, 2022. After landing, the aircraft taxied and performed an engine running offload, which included 435th CRG Airmen loading the aircraft with simulated heavy equipment while the aircraft engines were still operating.

Airmen assigned to the 911th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron conduct maintenance tasks on a C-17 Globemaster III at the Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station, Pennsylvania, Aug. 31, 2022. Aircraft undergo routine maintenance to ensure mission and operational readiness.

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