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.

U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft prepares to take off during a mission generation exercise at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, Jan. 5, 2023. The exercise focused on agile combat employment and the ability to project overwhelming air power and superiority in a short timeframe.

A USAF WC-130 Hercules aircraft from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, (Hurricane Hunters) Keesler AFB, Mississippi sit ready for take off on the tarmac at Hurlburt Field, Florida. From AIRMAN Magazine December 1995 article "Hunting Season". Base: Hurlburt Field State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A U.S. Customs Service P-3 Orion aircraft, left, and two Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft sit on the ground at the station's airfield during exercise Ocean Venture '88. Subject Operation/Series: OCEAN VENTURE '88 Base: Nas, Roosevelt Roads State: Puerto Rico (PR) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Nearly ten U.S. Navy aircrew members and their P-8A Poseidon aircraft, assigned to Patrol Squadron 10, Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida, found shelter from Hurricane Ian at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan, Sept. 28, 2022. Selfridge Air National Guard Base's extensive ramp space routinely provides hurricane refuge for aircraft in the path of extreme weather scenarios.

010611-A-6086T-003. Base: Quito Country: Ecuador (ECU) Scene Major Command Shown: Air Mobility Command

A C-130H Hercules aircraft from the 152rd Airlift Wing, Nevada Air National Guard, lands after a Modular Airborne Firefighting System (MAFFS) training mission in Boise, Idaho, April 26, 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 374th Tactical Airlift Wing (374th TAW) C-130 Hercules aircraft makes a low-altitude parachute extraction system (LAPES) pallet drop near an airfield during the joint South Korean/United States exercise TEAM SPIRIT '89. Subject Operation/Series: TEAM SPIRIT '89 Base: Yoju Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

A German Air Force Airbus A400M completed a short-field landing exercise part of Swift Response 22 at Gaižiūnas Airfield, Lithuania, May 9, 2022. This training allows pilots a diverse range of landing strategies for future missions. Exercise Swift Response 2022 is an annual multinational training exercise, which takes place in Eastern Europe, the Arctic High North, Baltics and Balkans from May 2-20. The purpose of the exercise is to present combat credible Army forces in Europe and Africa, and enhance readiness by building airborne interoperability with Allies and Partners and the integration of joint service partnership.

Pilots from the 437th Airlift Wing taxi C-17 Globemaster III aircraft before a mission generation exercise at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, Jan. 5, 2023. The 437th Airlift Wing, along with Army, Marine, and Air Force units, exercised the seamless integration of warfighting capabilities.

030908-F-7924J-009. Base: Graf Ignatievo Air Base Country: Bulgaria (BGR)

Clouds of dust behind US Air Force C-17 Globemaster III at Fort Irwin, California USA 1999

A right front view of a U.S. Air Force KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft open for public inspection on the tarmac at the Naval Air Station during the annual airshow. Base: Naval Air Station, Cecil Field State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An AC-130J Ghostrider Gunship takes flight at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Feb. 1, 2023. The AC-130 gunships have an extensive combat history dating back to Vietnam.

A Brazilian plane director guides a 50th Tactical Airlift Squadron C-130E Hercules aircraft along the parking apron after an airdrop during the joint U.S./Brazilian exercise Saci '84. Subject Operation/Series: SACI '84 Base: Rio De Janeiro Country: Brazil (BRA)

An MC-130J Commando II assigned to the 1st Special Operations Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan, lands at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Nov. 8, 2022. Members from the 1st SOS conducted training alongside the 36th Munitions Squadron, Andersen AFB, increasing integration with conventional forces and demonstrating the capability of ready and postured forces within the Pacific theater.

Lt. Col. Todd Hudson, 152nd Airlift Wing Chief of Safety and Nevada Air National Guard C-130 navigator, flies his final flight with the 152nd Airlift Wing before he retires from the military in Reno, Nev., June 25, 2022. Hudson is set to become the Air Force Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) commander at North Valleys High School in Reno.

980616-F-2907C-056. Base: Mcchord Air Force Base State: Washington (WA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

020330-F-6740T-072. Subject Operation/Series: NORTHEN EDGE Base: Kodiak State: Alaska (AK) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ANG

A Hercules C-130-H Aircraft of the Black Bulls, the 336th Squadron of the Royal Netherlands Air Force performs Landing Zone operations, in collaboration with the 424th Air Base Squadron of the U.S. Air Force, during operation Orange Bull 2023 on Chièvres Air Base, Belgium, March 14, 2023.

A C-130E Hercules aircraft from the 50th Airlift Squadron (50th AS) makes its final approach to the runway at Little Rock Air Force Base. Country: United States Of America (USA)

A Royal Dutch Air Force C-130 Hercules taxis in after landing.

020525-F-6655M-012. Subject Operation/Series: COBRA GOLD 2002 Base: Utapao Royal Thai Air Base Country: Thailand (THA)

A KC-135R from the 151st Wing take off from Roland R. Wright Air National Guard Base during Exercise PERSES on Feb. 3, 2024. The joint exercise challenges the tactics, techniques, and procedures of both Utah Air and Army National Guard units along with other component units, while testing innovative ideas and communication practices. (Utah Air National Guard

An employee at the Baucau City Airport, Timor-Leste, marshals in a U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 143rd Airlift Wing at Quonset Point Air National Guard Station, Rhode Island, Sept. 11, 2022. The aircraft landed in Baucau to deliver medical supplies in support of Pacific Angel 22-4. 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.

A MC-130H Combat Talon II sits parked on the flight line at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Nov. 15, 2022. The aircraft provides infiltration, exfiltration and resupply of special operations forces and equipment in hostile or denied territory.

A B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron from Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, lands at RAF Fairford, United Kingdom, Aug. 18, 2022. Strategic bombers contribute to stability in the European theater, they provide a critical role in strategic deterrence. If called upon, U.S. bombers offer a rapid response capability.

DN-SD-03-09279. Base: Lingshui Air Field State: Hainan Country: China (CHN) Scene Major Command Shown: USPACOM

Various aircrews attended the Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Centers Advanced Tactics Aircrew Course in Fort Huachuca, Arizona, from April 11-15, 2022 including the U.S. Air Force Reserve Commands 302nd Airlift Wing, Rhode Island Air National Guards 143rd Airlift Wing, New York ANGs 105th Airlift Wing, the Royal Danish Air Forces 721 Squadron, and the U.S. Air Forces 517th Airlift Squadron. During ATAC, students spend their first week at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base in St. Joseph, Missouri, and their second week at Fort Huachuca.

German Air Force A400M tanker plane during Exercise Air Defender 2023, Wunstorf, Germany.

DF-ST-88-10246. Base: Elmendorf Air Force Base State: Alaska (AK) Country: United States Of America (USA)

The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, The Red Arrows, fly behind a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft static display assigned to the 100th Air Refueling Wing, during the Royal International Air Tattoo at Royal Air Force Fairford, England, July 15, 2022. RIAT allowed the U.S. Air Force to demonstrate its strong forward presence in Europe as well as reinforce NATO and other European ally partnerships. The event, which showcased aircraft from across the globe celebrated aviations past and present while inspiring the next generation.

981012-F-6655M-008. Subject Operation/Series: DEEP FREEZE '98 State: Mcmurdo Sound Country: Antarctica (ATA)

A Kawasaki C-2 from the 403rd Tactical Airlift Squadron flies in a formation during a bilateral training exercise with the 535th Airlift Squadron around the Hawaiian Islands, Sept. 27, 2022. The 3-day training focused on interoperability between the C-2 and C17 Globemaster III to cultivate best practices for future operations within the Indo-Pacific region.

The front end of a USAF 86TH Air Wing C-130 parked on the tarmac at Tuzla Air Base, Bosnia-Herzegovina. The 86th is in Bosnia supporting US and foreign forces involved in Operation Joint Endeavor. Operation Joint Endeavor is a peacekeeping effort by a multinational Implementation Force (IFOR), comprised of NATO and non-NATO military forces, deployed to Bosnia in support of the Dayton Peace Accords. (Duplicate image, see also DFST9702253 or search 960914F3939J506). Base: Tuzla Air Base Country: Bosnia And/I Herzegovina (BIH)

The Honorable Christine Wormuth, U.S. Secretary of the Army, arrives at the Grafenwoehr Army Airfield during her visit to Grafenwoehr, Germany, Feb. 15, 2024. While here, Wormuth met with U.S. and Ukrainian troops, observed the Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine-led training of Ukrainians, and participated in U.S. and Ukrainian training sensing sessions. The 7th Army Training Command enables readiness for all assigned and regionally aligned United States Army Europe and Africa forces, Allies, and Partners by conducting live, virtually, and constructing training in a fully replicated, multi-domain battlefield. Army

DF-SC-85-03336. Base: Wright-Patterson Air Force Base State: Ohio (OH) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A U.S. Air Force C-130H Hercules from the 145th Airlift Wing, North Carolina Air National Guard, takes off from Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan on Feb. 13. The C-130H is a versatile air frame used for troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport.

A ground crewman wearing foul weather gear uses flashlights to signal a pilot as he maneuvers a C-5 Galaxy aircraft into position on the flight line during Exercise GLOBAL SHIELD '84. Subject Operation/Series: GLOBAL SHIELD '84 Base: Offutt Air Force Base State: Nebraska (NE) Country: United States Of America (USA)

110404-N-WF583-351NAVAL AIR STATION JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (April 4, 2011) The Navy's next generation long-range anti-submarine warfare and maritime patrol aircraft, the P-8A Poseidon, lands at Naval Air station Jacksonville, Fla., during the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Centennial of Naval Aviation events.

Air Force personnel offload equipment at Flyvestation. Personnel and aircraft from the 52nd Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem AB, Germany, along with members of the 110th Air Control Squadron, Tennessee Air National Guard, deployed to participate with Danish forces. The three week exercise tested the effectiveness of both Danish and American air defenses. F-15 and F-16 Fighters from the 22nd and 53rd Fighters Squadrons flew three air to air and air to ground missions a day. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Subject Operation/Series: TACTICAL WEAPONRY '95 Base: Flyvestation State: Karup Country: Denmark (DNK)

Airmen with the 152nd Airlift Wing, Nevada Air National Guard and the 103rd Airlift Wing, Connecticut Air National Guard assist the Idaho Air National Guards Air Support Operations Squadron as they prepare for their departure out of Gowen Field, ID, January 6 & 7, 2023. The ASOS will travel to Fort Smith, Kansas where they will conduct predeployment training throughout the month of January.

U.S. Air Force Airmen wave to the crowd on top of a MC-130J Commando II during Friendship Festival 2022, at Yokota Air Base, Japan May 22, 2022. The two-day festival was an opportunity for visitors to learn more about the U.S. and Japan bilateral partnership, while strengthening the bonds between Yokota and the local communities. Yokota was able to host the event with the support of Japan Self-Defense Force, sister services and the local community.

YAMAGATA, Japan -- Airmen from the 374th Logistics Readiness Squadron Fuels Management Flight work with Marines at a forward area refueling point in support of humanitarian assistance/disaster relief efforts March 18. A FARP allows aircraft to operate from airfields where fuel is not usually available. The 374th LRS sent four Airmen and an R-11 fuel truck to augment the Marines.

981012-F-6655M-006. Subject Operation/Series: DEEP FREEZE '98 State: Mcmurdo Sound Country: Antarctica (ATA)

A U.S. Marine Corps KC-130J Super Hercules aircraft with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152 idles at Subic Bay International Airport, Philippines, Oct. 15, 2022. VMGR-152 supported Marines and Sailors with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, transporting personnel and equipment across the Indo-Pacific region.

981012-F-6655M-003. Subject Operation/Series: DEEP FREEZE '98 State: Mcmurdo Sound Country: Antarctica (ATA)

040127-F-1830P-001. Base: Ramstein Air Base State: Rheinland-Pfalz Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

U.S. citizens living in Haiti wait to board a U.S. Coast Guard C-130 at the Port-Au-Prince airport for transport back to the U.S. Jan. 15, 2010. Department of Defense assets have been dispatched to Haiti to assist with humanitarian assistance and disaster relief after a magnitude 7 earthquake hit the country on 12 Jan. 2010.

USAID Deputy Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) leader Ben Hemingway steps off a U.S. military C130 flight in Tacloban, currently among the only ways to reach the hard-hit region, on November 16, 2013. Hemingway was among the first disaster response experts on the ground in Leyte Province.

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.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Megan Burris, CH-53 Crew Chief, Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461 (HMH-461), 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, conducts preflight operations of a CH-53K King Stallion on Marine Corps Air Station New River in Jacksonville, North Carolina June 22, 2022. HMH-461 aviation maintenance Marines go through vigorous training and testing to ensure that aircraft aboard MCAS New River are ready to fly and support all missions safely.

Air show attendees gather to watch a Joint Air-Ground Task Force Demonstration during the 2022 Kaneohe Bay Air Show, Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Aug. 13, 2022. The air show provided an opportunity to demonstrate the capabilities of a Joint Force in the Indo-Pacific Region. The Kaneohe Bay Air Show, which contained aerial performances, static displays, demonstrations and vendors, was designed to express MCBHs appreciation to the residents of Hawaii and their continued support of the installation.

Airmen with 374th Airlift Wing and local Japanese aviation enthusiasts pose for a group photo during a tour at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Aug. 31, 2022. Aviation enthusiasts are hobbyists who have an enhanced understanding of the aviation industry and typically document aircraft through photography from a distance.

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.

Civilian visitors surround and board a USAF Air Mobility Command (AMC) C-5 Galaxy on display during Joint Services Open House 2000. Base: Andrews Air Force Base State: Maryland (MD) Country: United States Of America (USA)

920th Logistics Readiness Squadron Airmen offload equipment from the back of an HC-130J Combat King II aircraft during exercise Distant Horizon exercise at Bradshaw Army Airfield, Hawaii, Aug. 4, 2022.Distant Horizon is an exercise designed to validate tactics, techniques, and procedures of personnel recovery and agile combat employment in the Indo-Pacific region.

U.S. Air Force KC-135 takes off from the flight-line of Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, to support exercise BALTOPS-22 on June 16, 2022. BALTOPS is an annual NATO exercise over the Baltic Sea Region that gives NATO allies and partners the chance to test their interoperability within a complex maritime environment.

The Arkansas Military Affairs Committee poses for a photo with the 19th Airlift Wing command team during a base tour at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, Nov. 9, 2022. During their visit, members of the AMAC toured a C-130J Super Hercules, viewed the current runway construction, met with the HERKWERX team and tested out virtual reality maintenance training to gain insight on Airmen and the steps they are taking to innovate and accelerate change throughout Herk Nation.

A C-146A Wolfhound from the 524th Special Operations Squadron, touches down on a grass field during a training exercise in Asheville, North Carolina, August 17, 2022. The 524th SOS conducted the landing to continue sharpening the capability of the Wolfhound to deliver agile intra-theater mobility support for special operations forces worldwide.

031017-F-9209C-005. Base: Tampa State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: AMC

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