Military Aircraft Operations

Images feature various military aircraft being serviced or prepared for flight. The tone is professional with a focus on air force readiness and operations.

F-16 Pilots Show Hands During Arming Phase of Launch of F-16s

F/A-18A Hornets USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) US Navy

An F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft from the 169th Fighter Wing (FW) of the South Carolina Air National Guard, McEntire Air National Guard Station, deployed to Hill Air Force Base, Utah, to participate in COMBAT HAMMER prepares to take off. The 169th FW's flying squadron, the 157th Fighter Squadron, is one of several units operating in this 'live-fire' weapons testing mission. The 157th FS will fire AGM-88 Highspeed Anti-Radiation Missiles (HARM) and AGM-65G Maverick missiles to test their pilots abilities, their unit tactics, and the effectiveness of missile systems. Subject Operation/Series: COMBAT HAMMER Base: Hill Air Force Base State: Utah (UT) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-ST-85-11560. Subject Operation/Series: KINDLE LIBERTY 83 Base: Howard Air Force Base Country: Panama (PAN)

F-15A on display at Otis Air National Guard Base. Dedicated to retired Brig. Gen. Anthony 'Kimo' Schiavi.

Distinguished visitors from the Office of Management and Budget observe flight operations aboard the first-in class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), Sept. 19, 2022. Ford is underway in the Atlantic Ocean conducting carrier qualifications and workups for a scheduled deployment this fall.

U.S. Air Force Col. Michael D. Stohler, commander of the 122nd Fighter Wing, Indiana Air National Guard, sits in the cockpit of an A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft April 23, 2022, at the 122nd Fighter Wing, Fort Wayne, Indiana. Stohler flew his last military flight during a regularly scheduled drill.

040508-F-4338B-016. Base: Shaw Air Force Base State: South Carolina (SC) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

U.S. Navy Airmen assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron 131 at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, perform preflight procedures with EA-18G Growlers during Vigilant Storm 23 at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Nov. 1, 2022. VS23 is an annually recurring, re-planned training that assessed Airmen and aircrew on their ability to perform their duties while operating in a simulated emergency environment.

A U.S. Airman with the 510th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron marshals an F-16 Fighting Falcon used to support NATOs Enhanced Air Policing operations at 86th Air Base, Romania, May 15, 2022. The multinational NATO Alliance currently hosts more than 100 combat aircraft on alert in the region, performing 24/7 patrols along the eastern borders.

A crew chief assigned to the 158th Fighter Wing Maintenance Group inspects an F-35A Lightning II prior to takeoff for a training mission from the Vermont Air National Guard Base, South Burlington, Vermont, April 3, 2023. The training mission is an Agile Combat Employment training exercise.

020721-F-6175D-001. Base: Davis-Monthan Air Force Base State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Stace Bechtel, a 77th Expeditionary Fighter Generation Squadron crew chief, moves a ladder, prior to launch of an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft from Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Nov. 14, 2022. Crew chiefs are responsible for the continuity and airworthiness of the aircraft and work closely with their pilots to maintain mission readiness.

A-10 Thunderbolt IIs from across the globe arrive at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho, to compete in Hawgsmoke 2022, Sept 7, 2022. Hawgsmoke is a biennial USAF bombing, missile, and tactical gunnery competition for A-10 Thunderbolt II units which provides unique training.

Staff Sgt. Luis Rodriguez from the New Jersey Air National Guard's 177th Security Forces Squadron conducts an early morning walk-around of a Thunderbirds F-16D Fighting Falcon Aug. 11, 2014, at Atlantic City Air National Guard Base, N.J. The Thunderbirds are the premier flying demonstration group and performed for the Atlantic City "Thunder Over the Boardwalk Airshow" Aug. 13.

A Royal Canadian Air Force CF-188 Hornet preparing for a night takeoff from Romania.

Medium shot, left front view, Captain Valentine S. Arbogast, USAF, 23rd Fighter Squadron, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, seated in F-16C Fighting Falcon cockpit hands fight to crew chief AIRMAN First Class Sean Keane. A1C Keane in on ladder on side of aircraft. CPT Arbogast just completed a morning flight during the last Green Flag exercise, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. (Duplicate image, see also DF-SD-01-06159 or search 000816-F-0751D-011). Subject Operation/Series: GREEN FLAG Base: Nellis Air Force Base State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

120706-N-SK590-088 ARABIAN SEA (July 6, 2012) An aviation boatswains mate (handling) directs an aircraft toward a catapult on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Lincoln is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and combat flight operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

AN automatic loader is moved into position for loading the 30mm nose gun on an A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft during operational readiness inspection at Travis Field. Base: Savannah State: Georgia (GA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A detailed view of a Malaysian Air Force Mig-29 Fulcrum refueling high over the South China Sea, Malaysia.

070320-M-2166H-021. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Al Asad Air Base State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: VMAQ-1

A U.S. Air Force F-16 fighter pilot and his back seat passenger, both with the 177th Fighter Wing of the New Jersey Air National Guard, taxi in preparation for an incentive flight, Jan. 24, 2023, at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. F-16 pilots, maintainers and support staff from the 177th FW traveled to Tyndall for WSEP Combat Archer training.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Luke Weyhmuller, 157th Fighter Squadron F-16 fighter jet pilot, and Airman 1st Class Beau Laeufer, 169th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, both assigned to the 169th Fighter Wing from McEntire Joint National Guard Base, South Carolina, conduct preflight engine checks before takeoff at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport, West Columbia, August 24, 2022. The 169th Fighter Wing is temporarily flying out of Columbia Metropolitan Airport while the McEntire Joint National Guard Base runway undergoes construction.

DF-ST-87-05156. Base: Bitburg Air Base Country: West Germany (FRG)

Pilot boarding an F-16AM of the Belgian Air Force.

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-22 Raptor sit on the parking ramp at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, Aug. 12, 2022. The aircraft flew a training sortie to support the 43d Fighter Squadrons basic training course capstone which tests the skills F-22 student pilots have learned in a simulated combat environment.

A U.S. Navy pilot with the Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 2, Naval Air Station Lemoore, California, exits a F/A-18 Super Hornet during Weapons System Evaluation Program-East 22.12 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Sept. 12, 2022. WSEP-E 22.12 is a formal, two-week evaluation exercise designed to test a squadrons capabilities to conduct live-fire weapons systems during air-to-air combat training missions.

A C-130 Hercules, from the 133rd Airlift Wing, Minneapolis-Saint Paul Joint Air Reserve Station, Minnesota, takes off from Young Landing Zone on Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, June 13, 2022. The aircraft was supporting Airmen from the 260th Air Traffic Control Squadron who were training on agile combat employment spoke operations in preparation for a near peer conflict.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Noah Martinez, an aircraft ordnance technician from Round Rock, Texas, assigned to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1), conducts routine maintenance on an AV-8B Harrier II, during Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course 2-22 at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, April 12, 2022. WTI is a seven-week training event hosted by MAWTS-1, providing standardized advanced tactical training and certification of unit instructor qualifications to support Marine aviation training and readiness and assists in developing and employing aviation weapons and tactics.

A pilot from the 47th Flying Training Wing poses for a photo in a T-38C Talon at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, Sept. 30, 2022. Laughlins mission continues to be training the militarys finest and most lethal pilots.

Capt. Joshua Logie walks away from a B-52 Stratofortress at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, after a mission in support of exercise Cope North. The Air Force and the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force conduct Cope North annually to increase combat readiness and interoperability, concentrating on coordination and the evaluation of air tactics, techniques and procedures.

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 389th Fighter Squadron (FS) taxi an F-15E Strike Eagle at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, Sep. 29, 2022. The F-15E is operated by a pilot and weapons system officer in tandem.

030414-F-3082A-006. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Langley Air Force Base State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

020520-F-2902B-007. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Bagram Air Base State: Parwan Country: Afghanistan (AFG)

U.S. Air Force Airman assigned to the 1st Fighter Wing inspects an F-22 Raptor during Red Flag at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, July 12, 2022. The 1st Fighter Wing functions as Air Combat Commands and the Air Forces only service-retained combat F-22 Wing.

A U.S. Air Force pilot with the 510th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron boards an F-16 Fighting Falcon at 86th Air Base, Romania, May 3, 2022. The 510th EFS is deployed to Romania to support the enhanced Air Policing operations over NATO airspace. The multinational NATO Alliance currently hosts more than 100 combat aircraft on alert in the region, performing 24/7 patrols along the eastern borders.

An eye-level view of an F-15 Eagle aircraft being marshaled by a ground crewman silhouetted against the sunset. Country: Unknown

US Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles from the 492nd Fighter Squadron, 48th Fighter Wing, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, United Kingdom, roll down the taxiway prior to launch. The Strike Eagle is a two-seat fighter designed to maintain air superiority during combat. (Duplicate image, see also DF-SD-01-03275 or search 000828-F-9032T-003). Base: Raf Lakenheath State: East Anglia Country: England / Great Britain (ENG)

DF-SD-04-03402. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Kelly Air Force Base State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A U.S. Navy Sailor with Unmanned Patrol Squadron 19 inspects a MQ-4C assigned to VUP-19 Triton prior to departing Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 5, 2022. Due to its geographic location and co-located airfield and harbor, MCAS Iwakuni is uniquely postured to provide advanced naval integration in support of regional security.

041110-F-1789V-132. Base: Tyndall Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

040911-F-8194F-008. Base: Joe Foss Field State: South Dakota (SD) Country: United States Of America (USA)

020314-F-9032T-018. Base: RAF Lakenheath State: East Anglia Country: England / Great Britain (ENG) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

U.S. Air Force Capt. Zachary Eastman, an A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot with the 75th Fighter Squadron, 23rd Fighter Group out of Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, prepares for take off during Southern Strike 2022, at Gulfport Combat Readiness Training Center, Gulfport, Mississippi, April 26, 2022. Southern Strike 2022 is a large-scale, joint multinational combat exercise hosted by the Mississippi National Guard that provides tactical level training for the full spectrum of conflict.

001008-N-3228G-003. Base: Uss Kitty Hawk (CV 63) Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

Members of the 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing decontaminate an F-15 Eagle aircraft during Exercise Nomad Thrust '88. Subject Operation/Series: NOMAD THRUST '88 Base: Eglin Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

031104-F-3378P-045. Base: Great Falls Intl Airport State: Montana (MT) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: Air National Guard

F-15E Strike Eagle, two seat, all-weather, tactical fighter, on static display in support of the Supreme Allied Commander, Atlantic (SACLANT) Seminar held at Langley Air Force, Virginia. The SACLANT Seminar was attended by 100 delegates from 18 countries, the purpose was to bring NATO leaders together to discuss issues from a Maritime and North American perspective and give leaders a hands on opportunity. Base: Langley Air Force Base State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

A right side nighttime view of a parked F-15 Eagle aircraft undergoing maintenance during the William Tell '82 competition. A star filter was used on the camera to obtain the special lighting effect. Subject Operation/Series: WILLIAM TELL "82" Base: Tyndall Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A U.S. Air Force maintainer and pilot assigned to the 23rd Wing communicate before takeoff from Savannah Air National Guard Base, Georgia, July 22, 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.

A front view of an F-4 Phantom II aircraft on the flight line during Combined Effects Munitions testing. Four CBU-87B cluster bombs are mounted on the wing pylons of the F-4. Base: Eglin Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

031101-F-0758D-003. Base: Terre Haute Iap State: Indiana (IN) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ANG

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Conner Schneider Munn, 80th Fighter Generation Squadron pilot, salutes Senior Airman Brendan McNeely, 35th Fighter Generation Squadron crew chief, during RED FLAG-Alaska 22-3 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 1, 2022. RF-A 22-3 offers U.S. and allied service personnel and aircraft the opportunity to leverage forces in support of bilateral or multilateral exercises.

A 96th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Red team carry an AIM-9 during the squadrons weapons load competition Nov. 4 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The Red (F-15) team battled the Blue (F-16) team for weapons loadcrew supremacy during the quarterly competition. The Blue team claimed victory this quarter. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

030331-F-2034C-006. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Country: Iraq (IRQ)

020703-F-8425S-013. Base: Aviano Air Base State: Pordenone Country: Italy (ITA)

Members of the 509th Bomb Wing Aircraft Maintenance Squadron help prepare a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber for a hot-pit refuel during Exercise Agile Tiger on Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, April 4, 2022. Exercise Agile Tiger was a 509th-led interoperability training exercise which combined and honed the skills of active duty, guard, and reserve U.S. Military Forces to ensure combat-readiness.

A United States Marine F/A-18 Hornet pilot assigned to the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 323 out of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, prepares to fly at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Sept. 20, 2022. During the training sorties, the VMFA-323 Squadron fought as an element alongside the 510th Fighter Squadron, meaning two F-16s or two F-18s worked together to defeat a simulated threat as quickly as possible.

A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II sits on the ramp in Tyler, Texas, July 1, 2022. The A-10 Demonstration Team travels to shows around the country, as well as internationally, to highlight the combat capabilities of the A-10. The A-10 is the first Air Force aircraft specially designed for close air support.

U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 28th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron load the final munitions of a weapons loading competition into a B-1B Lancer at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., July 22, 2022. The B-1 is equipped with multiple compartments that can hold a variety munitions in a variety of sizes, carrying a payload up to 75,000 pounds.

Maj. Thomas Bernard, 52nd Expeditionary Flying Training Squadron and an Iraq air force student pilot walk to their aircraft before a training flight Sept. 26, 2010, at Tikrit Air Base, Iraq. U.S. Air Force instructor pilots are training and advising the first group of Iraqi air force instructor pilots on the T-6A Texan II as part of the advise, train, assist and equip mission of Operation New Dawn. Once qualified the Iraqi air force pilots will become instructor pilots and continue to train the next generation of pilots.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The air crew for the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Demonstration Squadron show their precision formation as the pilots get ready to take off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The squadron performed for the World Space Expos' aerial salute along with other aircraft that included the U.S. Navy F-18 Super Hornets, U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor, U.S. Air Force F-15 Eagle, P-51 Mustang Heritage Flight, the U.S. Air Force 920th Rescue Wing, which was responsible for Mercury and Gemini capsule recovery, and the U.S. Army Golden Knights precision skydiving team. The World Space Expo held Nov. 1-4 was an event commemorating humanity's first 50 years in space while looking forward to returning people to the moon and exploring beyond. The expo showcased various panels, presentations and educational programs. It also was a part of NASA's 50th anniversary celebrations, highlighting the 45th Anniversary of the Mercury Program celebration featuring original NASA astronauts

F/A-18 Hornet USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) US Navy

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. William Betts, the 378th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, and Senior Airman Demarcus Jenkins, an assistant dedicated crew chief with the 77th Expeditionary Fighter Generation Squadron conduct pre-flight checks for an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft, at Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Oct. 22, 2022. Jenkins is completing his second deployment to PSAB, during his first in 2020, he was assigned to the 77th EFGS debrief section.

US Marine Corps Aviators Climb Into the Cockpit Of Their F/A-18D Hornet at Al Asad Air Base in the Al Anbar Province of Iraq To Begin a Close Air Support Mission

040305-F-0335M-048. Base: Fresno Air National Guard Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Ordnancemen of the Air Force Reserve's 944th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron remove an AIM-9 Sidewinder missile from an F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft during a training exercise. The men are wearing nuclear-biological-chemical warfare gear. Base: Luke Air Force Base State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA)

220905-N-SH953-1124Virginia Beach, Va. (Sept. 5, 2022) - The Red Rippers of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11 returned home to Naval Air Station Ocean, September 5. VFA-11, part of Carrier Air Wing 1, embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), returns to Naval Station Norfolk after a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied and partner interests.

030615-F-6844O-001. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Kirkuk Country: Iraq (IRQ)

220525-N-IL330-1005 PACIFIC OCEAN (May 25, 2022) - Airman Jacob Lavey, from Chesterfield, Mississippi, uses the spotting dolly to move an F-35B Lightning II aircraft assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 in the hangar bay aboard amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli (LHA 7), May 25, 2022. Tripoli is conducting routine operations in U.S. 7th Fleet.

Air Force ROTC cadets from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University visited the 149th Fighter Wing to get a first hand look and what an operational fighter wing looks like behind the scenes at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, June 10, 2022. The tour was put together by members of our various maintenance units who gave gave unique insights into what it takes to be successful as a leader in todays military. (Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Mancuso)

USA, Arizona, Glendale, Luke Air Force Base. F-16 Thunderbird pilot, Maj. Caroline Jensen, waves from cockpit.

DF-ST-85-04183. Subject Operation/Series: PITCH BLACK Base: Darwin State: Northern Territory Country: Australia (AUS)

U.S. Air Force airmen from the New Jersey Air National Guard 177th Fighter Wing Crash Disabled Damaged Aircraft Recovery team maneuver an F-16 Fighting Falcon hooked up to a crane, Sept. 19, 2015 at Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum, N.J. The CDDAR team completed crane lift training, a tri-annual certification used in the event an immobile aircraft needs to be removed from a runway quickly and safely.

U.S. Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Cody Bowman, 114th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, salutes U.S. Air National Guard Lt. Col. Eric Cleveringa, pilot, 114th Fighter Wing, during Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course 2-22 at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., April 6, 2022. WTI is a seven-week training event hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1), providing standardized advanced tactical training and certification of unit instructor qualifications to support Marine aviation training and readiness, and assists in developing and employing aviation weapons and tactics.

U.S. Air Force Airmen, Luke Air Force Base supporters, and civic leaders from surrounding communities gather under the shade of an F-15C Eagle assigned to the 173rd Fighter Wing, Kingsley Field, Oregon, during the Luke AFB Supporter Appreciation Day event, May 13, 2022, at Luke AFB, Arizona. The jet was on display as part of the event where civic leaders met with Airmen and learned about the bases mission and the connection it has with the surrounding community.

061214-N-7130B-427. Base: USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76)

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- A U.S. Navy F-18 Super Hornet arrives at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Several of the planes are participating in the World Space Expo being held from Nov. 1 to Nov. 4 at the NASA Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Other aircraft joining in the salute include U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Aerial Demonstration Squadron , U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor, U.S. Air Force F-15 Eagle, the P-51 Mustang Heritage Flight and the U.S. Air Force 920th Rescue Wing, which was responsible for Mercury and Gemini capsule recovery. The U.S. Army Golden Knights also will demonstrate precision skydiving. The World Space Expo is an event to commemorate humanity's first 50 years in space while looking forward to returning people to the moon and exploring beyond. The expo will showcase various panels, presentations and educational programs. It also is a part of NASA's 50th anniversary celebrations, highlighting the 45th Anniversary of the Mercury

040714-F-6849F-009. Base: Spangdahlem Air Base State: Rheinland-Pfalz Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

010912-F-4483U-001. Base: Duluth International Airport State: Minnesota (MN) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

Airmen assigned to the 175th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Maryland Air National Guard, direct an A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft to it's parking spot after arrival at Lielvārde Air Base, located in the Vidzeme region of Latvia, May 14, 2022, for support and training while participating in DEFENDER-Europe 22. DEFENDER-Europe 22 is a series of U.S. Army Europe and Africa multinational training exercises within U.S. European Command's Large Global Scale Exercise construct taking place in Eastern Europe. DEFENDER-Europe 22 demonstrates U.S. Army Europe and Africa's ability to conduct large scale ground combat operations across multiple theatres in support of NATO and the National Defense Strategy.

U.S. Air Force Col. Kevin Jamieson, 3rd Wing commander, steps into F-22 Raptor in preparation for a training flight, Oct. 12, 2022 at Łask Air Base, Poland. The 90th EFS, from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska is currently forward-deployed to the European Theater to support the NATO Air Shielding mission and enhance the defense posture on the eastern NATO flank. The 3rd Wing commander and command chief from Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson recently visited the 90th EFS to support deployed Airmen and integrate with the squadron.

U.S. Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 112s aircrew standby as an F/A-18C Hornet aircraft is prepped for takeoff at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Jan. 25, 2022. Marines with VMFA-112 are performing unit-level training at Andersen Air Force Base as part of an Aviation Training Relocation Program. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Booker T. Thomas III)

AIRMAN 1ST Class Michael Bjorkley an F-15E Strike Eagle crew chief from the 492nd Fighter Squadron, 48th Fighter Wing, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, United Kingdom watches an F-15E take on fuel from the 48th Supply Squadron, R-11 fuel truck. Base: Raf Lakenheath State: East Anglia Country: England / Great Britain (ENG) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

An A-10C Thunderbolt II close air support aircraft is shown parked on the flight line during a winter storm at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan, on Jan. 11, 2024. Aircraft of the 127th Wing, Michigan Air National Guard, "Stand Ready" to support training and operational missions in all conditions at Selfridge Air National Guard Base.

LT. COL. Gary North, 33rd Fighter Squadron commander; STAFF SGT. Roy Murray, crew chief; SENIOR AIRMAN Steven Ely, assistant crew chief, pose with the F-16D Fighting Falcon that LT. COL. North was flying when he shot down an Iraqi MiG over the "No Fly Zone" on December 27, 1992 during Operation Desert Storm. LT. COL. North is the only U.S. F-16 pilot to have shot down a MiG. Mounted on the wing tips are the AIM-120A advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Base: Shaw Air Force Base State: South Carolina (SC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Members of the 158th Fighter Wing from the Vermont Air National Guard, prepare to load a GBU-12 paramount training missile onto an F-35A Lightning II aircraft during a Weapons Load Crew of the Quarter competition at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, July 22, 2022. This is the second time Spangdahlem has hosted an F-35 load crew during a Weapons Load Crew of the Quarter competition, previously competing against a crew from Hill Air Force Base.

Airmen from the 366th Fighter Wing, Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, participate in simulated events at a forward operating location at Wendover Air Force Base, Utah, May 21, 2022 while participating in the Raging Gunfighter exercise. Raging Gunfighter is an Air Combat Command exercise designed to simulate operating a Lead Wing from an Austere Environment. The purpose of the exercise is to prepare the 366th Fighter Wing and its Airmen for potential future operations in accordance with the National Defense Strategy.

Under the direction of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), U.S. Air Force Maj. Scott McGowen, a 104th Fighter Wing F-15 pilot, prepares to 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 comm

Swiss Air Force F 18 Hornet during an exercise in Switzerland F/A-18 Hornet, Swiss Air Force, fighter jet, military aircraft, Swiss aviation, Hornet fighter, air combat, Swiss defense, F/A-18 operations, supersonic jet, Swiss military, tactical aircraft, F/A-18 training, Hornet Switzerland, air superiority, fighter pilot training, Swiss airpower, Hornet jet, military exercises, Swiss precision, air defense, F/A-18 deployment, aerial maneuvers, Swiss air drills, Hornet capabilities, F/A-18 missions, supersonic aircraft, air-to-air combat, Swiss Air Force jets, F/A-18 performance, tactical fighter, military readiness, Swiss aerial defense, Hornet operations, Swiss airshows, F/A-18 combat, Swiss fighter jet, air force training, aerial defense, Copyright: xZoonar.com/ThomasxFuhrmannx 22587973

Israeli Air Force F-15D Baz at Tel Nof Air Force Base, Israel.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jonathan Basquez, F-35B Lightning II mechanic, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 225 (VMFA-225), 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, stands by for pre-flight operations at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 11, 2022. Basquezs responsibilities include supervising and inspecting maintenance performed on aircraft to ensure operational readiness of the squadron.

A US Air Force F-16 pilot from Aviano Air Base, Italy, watches the directional lights on the belly as he moves in to receive fuel from a McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey, KC-10 Extender, while deployed to a forward location in the European theatre. This mission is in direct support of Joint Task Force Noble Anvil. Subject Operation/Series: NOBLE ANVIL Country: Unknown

USAF recontechnician checks the aerial camera located in the nose of an RF-4 aircraft during Reconnaissance Air Meet 88, a multi-national competition of military aerial reconnaissance teams at Bergstrom Air Force Base. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Subject Operation/Series: RECONNAISSANCE AIR MEET '88 State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DN-ST-89-06489. Subject Operation/Series: GALLANT EAGLE 88 Base: Unknown

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jonathan Bootenhoff, a fixed-wing aircraft mechanic with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312, signals to an F/A-18C Hornet aircraft before launch during exercise Keen Sword 2023 at Japan Air Self-Defense Force Nyutabaru Air Base, Japan, Nov. 15, 2022. Keen Sword is a biennial exercise designed to enhance Japan-U.S. readiness, interoperability, and bilateral relations while demonstrating U.S. resolve to support the security interests of allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region.

The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, known as the Thunderbirds, practice for the upcoming Frontiers in Flight Open House and Air Show at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, Sept. 23, 2022. The Thunderbirds were the headline performance for McConnells first air show in four years.

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