Military Aircraft Operations

A series of U.S. Air Force fighter jets, including F-15s and F-16s, taxiing and preparing for takeoff, showcasing military air operations and readiness at various bases.

A squadron of Turkish Air Force F-16 Block 50+ aircraft taxiing on the runway.

A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress bomber assigned to the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron takes off at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, as part of a routine Bomber Task Force mission, Feb. 5, 2024. Bomber missions enable crews to maintain a high state of readiness and proficiency and validate our always-ready global strike capability. Air Force

An aerial view of the Airlift Rodeo '90 aircraft parking area shows the many aircraft involved in the competition. Airlift Rodeo is an annual airdrop competition that tests the flight and ground skills of Military Airlift Command aircrews as well as foreign teams.. Subject Operation/Series: RODEO '90 Base: Pope Air Force Base State: North Carolina(NC) Country: United States Of America(USA)

U.S. Air Force and Navy aircraft span the flight line during Checkered Flag 23-1 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Nov. 7, 2022. Checkered Flag is a large-force aerial exercise held at Tyndall which fosters readiness and interoperability through the incorporation of 4th- and 5th-generation aircraft during air-to-air combat training. The 23-1 iteration of the exercise was held Oct. 31- Nov. 10, 2022.

A B52H Stratofortress taxies on the flight line during Exercise Prairie Vigilance, Nov. 7, 2022, at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota. Prairie Vigilance tests the 5th Bomb Wings ability to conduct strategic-bomber readiness operations.

An M-998 multi-purpose wheeled vehicle with towed howitzer is offloaded from a Military Airlift Command C-130 Hercules aircraft during exercise Market Square III. Subject Operation/Series: MARKET SQUARE III Base: Mccall Army Air Field State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-ST-90-01669. Base: Dyess Air Force Base State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A 705th Munitions Squadron and 5th Security Forces Squadron convoy travel to the main parking apron on flightline at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, during exercise Prairie Vigilance Sept. 16, 2022. Prairie Vigilance tests the 5th Bomb Wings ability to conduct strategic-bomber readiness operations.

A 705th Munitions Squadron and 5th Security Forces Squadron convoy travel to the main parking apron on flightline at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, during exercise Prairie Vigilance Sept. 16, 2022. Prairie Vigilance tests the 5th Bomb Wings ability to conduct strategic-bomber readiness operations.

Alert crews from the 155th Operations Squadron taxi and take off after the klaxon alarm sounds during a Nuclear Operational Readiness Exercise, Nov. 6, 2022, at the Nebraska Air National Guard base in Lincoln. The 155th Air Refueling Wing mission supports USSTRATCOM's nuclear global strike and strategic deterrence missions through aerial refueling with the Stratotanker to deter regional and strategic threats from adversaries.

A C-130 Hercules transport aircraft takes off as another waits for takeoff clearance during AIRLIFT RODEO '90. AIRLIFT RODEO is an annual airdrop competition that tests the flight and ground skills of Military Airlift Command aircrews as well as foreign teams.. Subject Operation/Series: AIRLIFT RODEO '90 Base: Pope Air Force Base State: North Carolina(NC) Country: United States Of America(USA)

F-15E Eagle fighter aircraft of the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., are parked on an air field during Operation Desert Shield. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Saudi Arabia (SAU)

DF-ST-87-07593. Subject Operation/Series: GALLANT EAGLE '86 Base: Cannon Air Force Base State: New Mexico (NM) Country: United States Of America (USA)

F-35A Lightning II aircraft assigned to the 33rd Fighter Wing, taxi after landing at the Vermont Air National Guard Base, South Burlington, Vermont, July 12, 2022. The 33rd Fighter Wing is utilizing the Vermont Air National Guard air space to continue effective flying operations during hazardous summer weather at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

A U.S. Army Apache AH-64 Echo helicopter assigned to the 59th Aviation Troop Command, a U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jet assigned to the 169th Fighter Wing, and a UH-60L Black Hawk Medical Evacuation helicopter, also assigned to the 59th Aviation Troop Command, are displayed for an interactive tour given to congressional delegation staff representatives at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, South Carolina, June 27, 2023. The purpose of the visit was to meet with South Carolina Air and Army National Guard leadership to discuss the current state of the SCARNG and SCANG while also correlating future endeavors for the organization and the capabilities of the units housed there.

F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft, foreground, and C-130 Hercules aircraft, background, line an airfield during Operation Desert Shield. The aircraft are assigned to the 157th Tactical Fighter Wing.

Maintenance personnel and flight crews from the 18th Tactical Fighter Wing preflight some of the squadron's F-15 Eagle aircraft during Exercise Giant Warrior '89. The aircraft third from front is an F-15D Eagle, the others are F-15C Eagles. Subject Operation/Series: GIANT WARRIOR '89 Base: Andersen Air Base State: Guam (GU) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Airman Staff Sgt. Matthew Pardini, 1st Combat Camera Squadron, documents an MC-12 Liberty from the 361st Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron as it prepare for takeoff for operations on Kandahar Airfield, Afghan. The MC-12 provides full-motion video and signals intelligence to assist battlefield commanders.

Thirty-seven A-10 Thunderbolt IIs sit on the flightline at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho, to compete in Hawgsmoke 2022, Sept 8, 2022. Hawgsmoke is a biennial USAF bombing, missile, and tactical gunnery competition for A-10 Thunderbolt II units which provides unique training.

Seven F-16 Fighting Falcons with the 80th Fighter Squadron taxi at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Nov. 4, 2022. Kunsan launched 16 jets as a part of a Pacific Air Forces annual command sponsored Combined Flying Training Event, VIGILANT STORM 23, showcasing their ability to be ready to fight tonight. The training event allowed fourth and fifth-generation fighters to practice offensive and defensive tactics.

Air to air right side view of a formation of five F-15 Eagle fighters assigned to and lead by the flag ship of the 405th Tactical Training Wing (TTW) flying over flight line and ramps at Luke AFB, Arizona. Front to rear the aircraft are assigned to, 555th, 550th TFTS (Tactical Fighter Training Squadron), 405th TTW, 426th and 461st TFTS, Luke AFB, Arizona. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Country: Unknown

Saying goodbye NF-5 employed by the Royal Netherlands Air Force on 15 March 1991 at Eindhoven airbase. For the Operate Commander of the Air Forces Lieutenant General W.C. (Willy Cornelis) 'Bill' Louwerse. In the foreground NF-5A K-3012 of 316 Squadron, right F-16A J-137 of 314 Squadron. From that moment on, 314 takes over the Qualification Training Theater of 316.

An aerial view of A-10A Thunderbolt II aircraft parked on the flight line during Operation Gunsmoke '81. Subject Operation/Series: GUNSMOKE '81 Base: Nellis Air Force Base State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

981014-F-4155R-002. Subject Operation/Series: JOINT FORGE Base: Cervia Air Base State: Emilia-Romagna Country: Italy (ITA)

C-130 Hercules transport aircraft are displayed showing tail insignia as competing teams arrive for Airlift Rodeo '90, an airdrop competition that tests the flight and ground skills of Military Airlift Command aircrews as well as foreign teams.. Subject Operation/Series: RODEO '90 Base: Pope Air Force Base State: North Carolina(NC) Country: United States Of America(USA)

040713-F-3488S-038. Base: Eielson Air Force Base State: Alaska (AK) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Airmen perform a foreign object debris walk before the flight line opens for daily operations for Checkered Flag 23-1 arrivals at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Oct. 28, 2022. Checkered Flag is a large-force aerial exercise held at Tyndall which fosters readiness and interoperability through the incorporation of 4th- and 5th-generation aircraft during air-to-air combat training.

A F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft and a F-15 Eagle aircraft taxi to the runway at Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, during Operation SOUTHERN WATCH. These Aircrafts are a part of the coalition forces of the 363rd Air Expeditionary Wing, Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, that enforce the no-fly and no-drive zone in Southern Iraq to protect and defend against Iraqi aggression. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH Base: Prince Sultan Air Base Country: Saudi Arabia (SAU)

An A-10C Thunderbolt II taxis as an HC-130J Combat King II takes off during exercise Agile Flag 22-2 at Avon Park, Florida, 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.

U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 169th Fighter Wing return from Sentry Savannah 2022, the U.S. Air National Guard's annual premiere fighter jet exercise at the Air Dominance Center in Georgia, May 12, 2022. The 169th Fighter Wing is temporarily using the Columbia Metropolitan Airport, Lexington County, South Carolina, while runway repairs occur at McEntire Joint National Guard Base.

DN-SC-86-03228. Base: Naval Air Station, Alameda State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 169th Fighter Wing at Columbia Metropolitan Airport, South Carolina, return from Sentry Savannah 2022, the U.S. Air National Guard's annual premiere fighter jet exercise at the Air Dominance Center in Georgia, May 12, 2022. The 169th Fighter Wing is temporarily using the Columbia Metropolitan Airport, Lexington County, South Carolina, while runway repairs occur at McEntire Joint National Guard Base.

Airmen and F-16 fighter jets from the South Carolina Air National Guards 169th Fighter Wing are participating in Relampago VII, Aug. 30, 2022 in Barranquilla, Colombia. The military exercise focuses on training techniques, tactics and procedures, and strengthening interoperability between the U.S. and Colombian air forces as allies under NATO standards. Relampago VII includes two partner nations and integrate combat interoperability. F-16s along with personnel from the South Carolina Air National Guards 169th Fighter Wing will rapidly integrate into theater training, as well as joint, coalition and partnered missions. South Carolina is Colombias State Partner in the State Partnership Program.

000915-N-0533B-002. Base: Uss George Washington (CVN 73) Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

Deployed F-4E Phantom II aircraft are parked on the flight line at Korat Royal Thai Air Base during Exercise CHECKERED FLAG. Subject Operation/Series: CHECKERED FLAG Country: Thailand (THA)

Coast Guard Structures - Air Stations - Operations - 26-HK-96-23. 050927-C-9155P-106. Hurricane Katrina

DF-ST-86-11335. Base: Seymour Johnson Air Force Base State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DN-SC-87-03221. Base: Naval Air Station, Pensacola State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor pilots assigned to the 90th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron walk to their jets, Oct. 17, 2022 at Leeuwarden Air Base, Netherlands. The 90th EFS conducted agile combat employment (ACE) and integrated with Royal Netherlands Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs and U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing in RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom. Continued collaboration and integration on ACE alongside our RNLAF counterparts and other NATO Allies improves the resilience and survivability of coalition airpower.

A T-38 Talon four-ship formation flies over the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinals match between the Republic and the Kansas City Sporting July 27, 2022, in Sacramento, California. The U.S. Air Force performs close to 1,000 flyovers a year, which serve as a way to showcase the capabilities of its aircraft while also inspiring patriotism and future generations of aviation enthusiasts.

DF-ST-85-03689. Subject Operation/Series: BRIGHT STAR '82 Base: Cairo West Country: Egypt (EGY)

DF-ST-85-09758. Subject Operation/Series: WILLIAM TELL '84 Base: Tyndall Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 8th Fighter Wing, Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, conducted a bilateral exercise with Republic of Korea Air Force 7 June, 2022 to demonstrate the ability of the combined US-ROK forces to respond quickly to crisis events. The ROK-U.S. Alliance remains committed to peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and throughout the Indo-Pacific. The U.S. commitment to the defense of the ROK remains ironclad.

C-130 Hercules aircraft taxi down the base runway Oct. 18 to take part in a Joint Readiness Training Center exercise. In the joint exercise with the Army, 26 C-130s will fly to Alexandria International Airport in Alexandria, La., to pick up approximately 1,700 Army paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division's 3rd Brigade and tons of cargo from Fort Bragg, N.C.

980622-F-9580Z-056. Base: Mcchord Air Force Base State: Washington (WA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A U.S. Marine Corps F-35 Lightning II from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 242, out of Iwakuni, Japan, taxis by 8th Operations Group F-16 Fighting Falcons, at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Oct. 31, 2022. The aircraft traveled to Kunsan as a part of the Pacific Air Forces command sponsored VIGILANT STORM 23 training event. VIGILANT STORM integrates U.S. and ROK forces to train on mutual support procedures and maximizes command and control capabilities that improves understanding and trust between the two nations.

DN-SC-87-10226. Country: Unknown

An A-10 Thunderbolt II from the 127th Wings 107th Fighter Squadron returns to Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan, from a training flight. In the background, you see a CH-47 Chinook from Detachment 1, Bravo Company 3-328th Aviation Regiment, Michigan Army National Guard. Along with the 127th Wing, Selfridge Air National Guard Base is home to the Army, Navy, Marine Corp, Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, and dozens of tenant units; making the installation a defense hub for the state and nation.

DF-ST-87-11120. Subject Operation/Series: SALTY DEMO Base: Spangdahlem Air Base Country: West Germany (FRG)

Eight U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, sit on the flightline, July 9, 2018, at Yokota Air Base, Japan. Eight F-22s evacuated from Kadena Air Base, Japan due to Typhoon Maria. The F-22 are deployed under U.S. PACOMs theater security package (TSP) program, which has been in operation since 2004.

Katrina Response Ops - Coast Guard Air Station - Clearwater, Florida - 26-HK-163-58. Hurricane Katrina

220713-N-AC802-0066 VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (Ju1. 13, 2022) Sailors work on F/A-18 Super Hornets on the flightline onboard Naval Air Station Oceana. Oceana is the Navys East Coast Master Jet Base.

041107-F-5420B-259. Base: 174th Fighter Wing State: New York (NY) Country: United States Of America (USA)

F-4 Phantom II aircraft parked on the flight line during a tactical large force employment exercise. They are assigned to the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing. Base: Clark Air Base State: Luzon Country: Philippines (PHL)

Equipment and supplies for the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Defense Logistics Agency continue to arrive at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, Sept. 27, 2022. The installation is an established Incident Support Base and is used to pre-position equipment and personnel to rapidly deploy to areas that may be affected by Hurricane Ian.

An Air National Guard photographer takes a photo of a row of Blue Angels performance aircraft at rest on the flightline here at the 134th Air Refueling Wing Sept. 11, 2022. The Blue Angels were on site to perform in the Smoky Mountain Airshow which welcomed over 100,000 visitors over two days.

Attack Squadron 34 (VA-34) A-6E Intruder aircraft are refueled on the flight line. Base: Nas, Roosevelt Roads State: Puerto Rico (PR) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Members of the Florida National Guard stage for airlifts to Sanibel Island and Pine Island in response to Hurricane Ian, Oct. 4, 2022.

Aerial view of B-52 Stratofortress bombers at the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center, commonly known as the "Boneyard". Hundreds of B-52s were destroyed as part of the 1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty and sold for scrap at 12 cents a pound. Exact Date Shot Unknown Published in AIRMAN Magazine May 1977. Base: Davis-Monthan Air Force Base State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA)

The Alaska Air National Guard, 168th Wing invited the Eielson and the Fairbanks Civil Air Patrol Squadron cadets to tour the KC-135 Stratotanker and learn about the 168th Wings air refueling and aeromedical evacuation missions.

Four U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II, assigned to Hill Air Force Base, Utah, fly a training mission over the Gateway Arch at St. Louis, Missouri, April 7, 2022. The stealth fighters also integrated with two T-38 Talons as part of Exercise Agile Tiger. Agile Tiger provides the opportunity for multiple airframes to integrate, which enables combat-credible forces and grows war fighting talent.

The audience watches the Marine Air-Ground Task Force demonstration during the 2022 Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Air Show at MCAS Miramar, San Diego, California, Sept. 23, 2022. The theme for the 2022 MCAS Miramar Air Show, Marines Fight, Evolve and Win, reflects the Marine Corps ongoing efforts to modernize the force for future conflicts.

Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 772 - 26-HK-334-122. Hurricane Katrina

The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, known as the "Thunderbirds", perform in front of thousands of spectators at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, April 2, 2022. This was the team's second show of the season.

The Idaho Air National Guards 124th Fighter Wing is hosting biennial A-10 Thunderbolt II competition, Hawgsmoke, Sept. 6-9, 2022. On Sept. 7, nearly 30 A-10s from across the nation parked at Gowen Field's flightline in preperation for the competition. 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 overall win was the squadrons third 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.

High angle view of opening ceremonies for 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)

011129-F-1279W-036. Subject Operation/Series: NOBLE EAGLE Base: Jacksonville Iap State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

DM-ST-86-08406. Base: Mcas, Cherry Point State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A wide view of the exhibit and ceremony for the last A-4 Skyhawk aircraft built by McDonnell Douglas Corporation. A Marine major general at the podium speaks to the honored guests and spectators. Base: Long Beach State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Overall view of flight line showing a SR-71 Black Bird, reconnaissance aircraft, after its final flight. It will be retired to the March Field Museum. On the flight line, in the background are KC-135 and KC-10 tankers from the 22nd Air Refueling Wing. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Base: March Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Marines with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 269 fly AH-1Z Vipers and UH-1Y Venoms near Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, Nov. 7, 2022. This was the last flight for HMLA-269, which is deactivating in accordance with Force Design 2030. HMLA-269 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force.

040918-F-6701P-021. Base: Lask Air Base State: Lodzkie Country: Poland (POL)

An A-6E Intruder aircraft and several F-14A Tomcat aircraft from Carrier Air Wing 3 (CVW-3) are parked along the flight line upon their return from duty in the Persian Gulf region for Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. CVW-3 was deployed aboard the aircraft carrier USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67). Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD DESERT STORM Base: Naval Air Station, Oceana State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

The Royal Air Force Red Arrows flight demonstration team (standing) and the US Air Force Thunderbirds Flight Demonstration Team, pose for photographers at the Open House Air Show. Behind them is the British BAe Hawk aircraft, right, and an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft. Base: Andrews Air Force Base State: Maryland (MD) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An aerial view of Aviation Nation 2010, the Nellis Air Force Base Open House and annual Las Vegas air show Nov. 13. The two-day event depicts the history of American aviation and salutes the recent accomplishments of America's military in operations around the globe through numerous military and civilian ground displays. Approximately 100 aircraft, covering everything from the earliest days of aviation to some of the nation's newest military aviation technology, are scheduled to be on display.

A view of the various aircraft being used in a weapons and tactics instruction course. Base: Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Attendees walk around a C-130J Super Hercules on the flightline 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.

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