Military Aircraft Operations

Dynamic images of U.S. Air Force aircraft operations, capturing moments of takeoff, aerial refueling, and logistical support in various environments.

A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster II takes off from Camp Bastion, Helmand Province, southern Afghanistan.

A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster II takes off from Camp Bastion, Helmand Province, southern Afghanistan.

Aircrew members assigned to the 300th Airlift Squadron operate a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III to conduct aerial refueling with a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to 6th Air Refueling Wing over South Carolina, Aug. 24, 2022. The KC-135 provides a core aerial refueling capability for the United States Air Force and has excelled in this role for more than 60 years.

A C-17 Globemaster III pilot assigned to the 437th Airlift Wing dons his headphones at North Auxiliary Airfield in North, S.C., Feb. 12, 2019. The pilot took part in exercise Crescent Moon, an annual training event, aimed at maintaining the readiness of Transportation Command and Air Mobility Command contingency response efforts.

United States Air Force personnel deployed to a Jordanian Air base unload munitions for the upcoming Air Power Expeditionary Force operation from a United States Air Force C-130E currently deployed to the 4404th (P) Wing Dhahran Air Base, Saudi Arabia. Subject Operation/Series: AIR POWER EXPEDITIONARY FORCE Country: Jordan (JOR)

A KC-130 with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR-352), 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (MEU(SOC)) silhouetted at a forward area refueling point at an undisclosed location in the ENDURING FREEDOM area of operations during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Country: Unknown Scene Major Command Shown: 26 MEU

U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121, embarked aboard the amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli (LHA 7), fly in formation with a KC-130J Super Hercules with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152 above the Pacific Ocean, June 15, 2022, after participating in a joint maritime strike rehearsal to demonstrate service components fires and effects capabilities in the maritime environment during exercise Valiant Shield 22 (VS 22). Exercises such as Valiant Shield allows the Indo-Pacific Command Joint Task Force the opportunity to integrate forces from all branches of service to conduct long-range, precise, lethal, and overwhelming multi-axis, multi-domain effects that demonstrate the strength and versatility of the Joint Task Force and our commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

A US Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle from the 334th Fighter Squadron, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, NC, takes off from the Roswell Industrial Air Center as another F-15E aircraft taxis down the runway during the annual air defense exercise. Subject Operation/Series: ROVING SANDS '95 Base: Roswell State: New Mexico (NM) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress, assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing, Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, approaches a KC-10 Extender assigned to the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for air refueling support, during a Bomber Task Force mission, over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Sept. 4, 2022. During the BTF, two B-52H Stratofortresses, along with other U.S. aircraft, conducted theater integration training with a variety of coalition and partner ally aircraft to demonstrate readiness and strengthen ties within the USCENTCOM AOR.

Ground crewmen wearing chemical warfare gear work on an F-15 Eagle aircraft in a hangar during Sidewinder II exercises. Subject Operation/Series: SIDEWINDER II Base: Amsterdam Country: Holland / Netherlands (HOL)

A C-17 Globemaster III waits on the flightline after offloading cargo to be processed by Airmen from the 621st Contingency Response Wing who were deployed in eastern Europe, April 17, 2022. The 621st CRW is highly-specialized in training and rapidly deploying personnel to quickly open airfields and establish, expand, sustain, and coordinate air mobility operations.

Airmen assigned to the 437th Airlift Wing, stationed at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, and 509th Bomb Wing, stationed at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, conduct a specialized fuel operations (SFO) from a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III to a U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit at Edwards Air Force Base, Dec. 2, 2022. The SFO marks the first time a C-17 refueled a B-2, increasing flexibility for the bomber to conduct agile combat employment operations.

A RQ-4 Global Hawk is moved on the flight line on Grand Forks Air Force Base Sept. 19. The Global Hawk covers intelligence collection capability to support forces in worldwide peace, crisis and wartime operations. The capabilities of the aircraft allow more precise targeting of weapons and better protection of forces through superior surveillance capabilities.

An aircrew member from the 437th Airlift Wing boards a C-17 Globemaster III during a training exercise April 10, 2013, at Joint Base Charleston, S.C. Thirteen C-17s participated in the exercise that included airdrops, aerial refueling and low-level tactical training. The exercise is a total-force effort with aircrews consisting of active-duty Airmen from the 437th Airlift Wing and Reserve Airmen from the 315th AW. The crews completed more than 600 training requirements in a single day.

A McChord AFB, WA, 62nd Military Airlift Wing's C-141B Starlifter is refueled while flying over the snow and ice covered expanse of Antarctica. It is returning to Christchurch, New Zealand after dropping containers of supplies and food to the Deep Freeze personnel who spend the winter darkness at McMurdo Base and South Pole station. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Subject Operation/Series: MID-WINTER AIR DROP Country: New Zealand (NZL)

F-14B Tomcat USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) US Navy

DF-ST-86-00197. Base: Fairchild Air Force Base State: Washington (WA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

030322-F-9171L-002. Complete Scene Caption: As night falls at Tague Air Base (AB), Korea, an MC-130H Combat Talon II sits in the foreground as the maintenance crew from the 1ST Special Operation Squadron (1ST SOS), Kadena AB, Okinawa, finish their day. The 1ST SOS is taking part in RECEPTION STAGING ONWARD MOVEMENT and INTEGRATION (RSO&I), and FOAL EAGLE which are joint and combined exercises for soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines. They gather in Korea to work hand-in -hand with their South Korean counterparts for the purpose of showing the resolve of US forces to defend the Republic of Korea (ROK). It also gives the war fighters and planners an opportunity to operate in a joint (interservice) and combined (multinational) environment to safeguard the security of the ROK. Subject Operation/Series: FOAL EAGLE and RSO&I Base: Taegu Air Base Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

DN-SC-87-03142. Subject Operation/Series: BRIGHT STAR '83 Country: Unknown

A loadmaster assigned to the 815th Airlift Squadron, inspects a C-130J Super Hercules prior to take-off in Guatemala City, Guatemala, June 11, 2022. The aircraft are in Guatemala in support of Resolute Sentinel 22, which is a multi-national training opportunity that offers real-world benefits to U.S. and partner nation military personnel and the people of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador by promoting well-being and readiness in addition to building long-term partnerships.

U.S. Airmen with the 378th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadrons Air Terminal Operations Center, use a K-loader to load cargo onto a C-17 Globemaster aircraft, assigned to the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, at Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, May 16, 2022. Air Transportation specialists are responsible for securely managing cargo and passengers and to ensure that everything and everyone on a military aircraft is transported safely and quickly.

010416-F-6020H-001. Subject Operation/Series: CRISIS REACH 01-49 Base: Fairchild Air Force Base State: Washington (WA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A KC-10 Extender from the 380th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron flies over Southwest Asia in support of Operation Inherent Resolve Dec. 9, 2015. OIR is the coalition intervention against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

A C-17 Globemaster III is prepared for a flying operation at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, April 20, 2022. The C-17 provides rapid strategic delivery of troops and cargo to main operating bases or to forward bases across the world.

Aircrew members assigned to the 15th Airlift Squadron conduct preflight inspections on a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III at John Rogers Airport, Hawaii, Dec. 3, 2022. Airmen assigned to the 437th Airlfit Wing, stationed at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, conducted off-station training in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibilities to hone global reach and readiness capabilities.

Capt. Alex Atwood, a pilot assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron, inspects a C-130J Super Hercules on the flightline at Yokota Air Base, Japan, prior to a static-line jump Jan. 25, 2022, as part of Airborne 22. Airborne 22 demonstrates the JGSDF's capability to employ large-scale airborne insertion anywhere. During the exercise, C-130Js from Yokota are planned to airdrop approximately 500 JGSDF personnel and 100 container delivery system bundles. Training events like this increase effective interoperability to gain advantages whenever both countries work together. (Photo by Tech. Sgt. Gustavo Castillo)

030816-A-2029M-029. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Mosul Country: Iraq (IRQ)

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 77th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron prepares to refuel from a KC-10 Extender assigned to the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron over an undisclosed location in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Oct. 31, 2022. With assistance from the KC-10, F-16s are able to remain in the air for longer durations, maximizing their patrol time and ensuring regional stability.

U.S. Airmen assigned to the 352nd Special Operations Wing and Croatian Airmen assigned to the 93rd Air Wing conduct forward area refueling training on 93rd Air Base Zemunik, Croatia during Exercise Trojan Footprint May 11, 2022. Trojan Footprint is the premier Special Operations Forces (SOF) exercise in Europe that focuses on improving the ability of SOF to counter myriad threats, increases integration with conventional forces and enhances interoperability with our NATO allies and European partners.

An air-to-air right side silhouetted view of an F-15 Eagle aircraft being refueled from a KC-10A Extender aircraft during Exercise Brim Frost '85. Subject Operation/Series: BRIM FROST '85 Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-ST-85-13198. State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A KC-46A Pegasus Tanker assigned to the 305th Air Mobility Wing is prepared to embark on a sortie with the 32nd Air Refueling Squadron on Jan. 4, 2023 at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. The sortie marked the Squadrons first opportunity to fly a KC-46 local mission from start to finish and execute it exclusively with 32d ARS aircrew.

A 302nd Airlift Wing C-130 aircraft shuts down after a sortie flown during Exercise OVERTORQUE at the Combat Readiness Training Center in Gulfport, Mississippi, Jan. 23, 2023. The mission called for Airmen to transport simulated injured patients away from a battlefield, care for them in flight and return them to a safe location for further treatment.

A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 268 Reinforced, Aviation Combat Element, Marine Rotational Force-Darwin 22, is staged prior to flight during a Transpacific (TRANSPAC) flight in American Samoa, Sept. 16, 2022. TRANSPAC was a long-range tactical redeployment from Darwin to Hawaii with stops in Fiji, American Samoa, and Kiribati.

An early morning tail view of an OA-37 Dragonfly aircraft, loaded with four bombs, as the pilot climbs aboard. The aircraft is in use by the Wisconsin Air National Guard. Base: Madison State: Wisconsin (WI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A C-17 Globemaster assigned to the 305th Air Mobility Wing, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, refuels with a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 465th Air Refueling Squadron, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, over the Atlantic Ocean, June 9, 2022.

A B-1B Lancer aircraft assigned to the 7th Bomb Wing, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft assigned to the 927th Air Refueling Wing, MacDill AFB, Florida, over the Caribbean Sea, Sept. 7, 2022. The air operations between 12th Air Force and Air Mobility Command were part of a Partner Interoperability Training exercise with Panama and Ecuador to grow capacity, enhance the ability to respond to illegal fishing practices and maintain shared interest in regional security. Multilateral engagements such as this one ensures maximum resource efficiency and enable the consistent training between U.S. Southern Command, component command and partner nations.

DF-ST-85-13203. State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A KC-135 Stratotanker prepares to refuel a B-52 Stratofortress Oct. 30, 2016, near Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. Two B-52s were refueled during the mission.

U.S. Army vehicles destined for Fort Polk, La. and operation Cooperate Nugget are loaded onto a U.S. Air Force C-5 Galaxy at Salina Airport, Kan. The C-5 is participating in Patriot Express '95 a 4th Air Force, Air Force Reserve exercise. Subject Operation/Series: PATRIOT EXPRESS '95COOPERATE NUGGET Base: Salina Airport State: Kansas (KS) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A Marine watches as a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter taxis past an Air Force C-5 Galaxy aircraft during the multinational relief effort Operation Restore Hope. Subject Operation/Series: RESTORE HOPE Base: Mogadishu Country: Somalia (SOM)

An Air Force KC-10 Extender aircraft refuels a C-141B Starlifter aircraft (as seen from the KC-10) during the return flight from McMurdo Station, Antarctica, to Christchurch, New Zealand. The C-141 has just completed an airdrop during Operation Deep Freeze. Subject Operation/Series: DEEP FREEZE Country: Unknown

A S-3 Viking from Carrier Antisubmarine Warfare Squadron Two-Two (VS-22), "Checkmates", flies over the Arabian Gulf in support of a mission during Operation SOUTHERN WATCH (OSW) to enforce the southern Iraq "No Fly Zone." The squadron is currently embarked on board USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). TRUMAN is on station in the Arabian Gulf in support of OSW. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH Base: USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75)

A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III airplane attached to 204th Airlift Squadron is unloaded by U.S. Marines on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 27, 2022. The C-17 carried two U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z viper helicopters assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369 from Hawaii to Okinawa, Japan as part of a routine effort to rotate aircraft in and out of Japan to lower maintenance problems and to train interoperability with the heavy lift capabilities of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Justin J. Marty)

U.S. Air Force pilots assigned to the 100th Air Refueling Wing fly a KC-135 Stratotanker during pilot proficiency training, U.K., Aug. 3, 2022. The KC-135 Stratotanker refueled a 352d Special Operations Wing MC-130J Commando II aircraft during nighttime training operations.

220430-N-EE352-1126 PACIFIC OCEAN (Apr. 30, 2022) Pilots close the canopy from the cockpit of an F/A-18F Super Hornet, assigned to the Black Knights” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 154, on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), April 30. Vinson is currently underway conducting routine maritime operations in the Pacific Ocean.

Airmen assigned to the 139th Airlift Wing, Missouri Air National Guard, refuel a C-130H Hercules aircraft on Feb. 13, 2024, at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base, St. Joseph, Missouri. Aircrews conducted a 41-hour sortie in which the aircraft engines ran continuously for 45 hours and the aircraft was refueled three times. This type of training enhances the wings warfighting capability by pushing the limits of the aircraft and personnel. Air National Guard

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Staff Sgt. Nick Cacho, 36th Airlift Squadron, inspects a C-130 Hercules aircraft at Misawa Air Base, March 25 after delivering mission sustaining supplies. A native of Hilo, Hawaii, Sergeant Cacho is a C-130 aircraft flight engineer at Yokota Air Base, Japan and helps support Operation Tomodachi.

Staff Sgt. Dylan Callais, a flight medic with the 36th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., helps carry a litter onto a WC-130J Super Hercules aircraft assigned to the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron June 23, 2022. The 36th AES is an Air Force Reserve unit within the 403rd Wing tasked with the lifesaving mission of providing care to patients in various airframes as they're transported to accommodating medical facilities.

A-10 Thunderbolt IIs assigned to the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron (TES), Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, drops a Cluster Bomb Unit on the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR), Sep 13, 2022. A-10s dropped CBUs to evaluate bomblet dispersion, pattern, and effectiveness against armored targets. In addition to the 422 TES personnel, experts from Operational Weaponeering, 96th Test Wing, Eglin AFB, were at the NTTR to evaluate battle damage on the targets for potential updates to Weaponeering models and software.

A U.S. Air Force Reserve Command A-10 Thunderbolt II, assigned to the 924th Fighter Group, sits on the flightline at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Oct. 11, 2022. The 924th FG functionally integrates with the 355th Operations Group and 355th Maintenance Group to conduct A-10 pilot training.

A US Air Force KC-10 Extender from McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey, receives fuel from another McGuire KC-10 during a refueling mission 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

DF-ST-86-12622. Base: Nyutabaru Air Base State: Kyashu Country: Japan (JPN)

Two United States Marine Corps KC-130J Super Hercules framed by a hangar door at Kuantan Air Base, Malaysia.

In honor of the 75th anniversary of the United States Air Force, a historic P-51 Mustang from 1941 flew in formation with F-16s from the 149th Fighter Wing at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Sept. 10, 2022. This WWII era plane was not only the 2nd model of aircraft to be flown by the 149th FW, but it was also originally flown by Chuck Yeager, the first pilot recorded to break the sound barrier. (Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Katie Schultz)

U.S. Air Force 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Airmen from Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, offload a government vehicle from inside a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft after temporarily relocating to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, during Hurricane Ian Sept. 28, 2022. The 88th Air Base Wing Airmen provided strength through support as aircraft and aircrews from installations affected by the hurricane arrived seeking safety.

A three ship formation of F-22 Raptors move into refueling position to receive fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker over the Pacific Ocean.

A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III airplane attached to 204th Airlift Squadron is unloaded by U.S. Marines on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 27, 2022. The C-17 carried two U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z viper helicopters assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369 from Hawaii to Okinawa, Japan as part of a routine effort to rotate aircraft in and out of Japan to lower maintenance problems and to train interoperability with the heavy lift capabilities of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Justin J. Marty)

Front view of an A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft being towed into its hangar during exercise Commando Vulcan. The A-10 will be assigned to the 25th Tactical Fighter Squadron (25th TFS), Suwon Air Base, South Korea. Subject Operation/Series: COMMANDO VULCAN Base: Osan Air Base Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Joshua Montgomery from the 380th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron inspects the intake of a U-2 Dragon Lady aircraft with the 99th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia on Nov. 23, 2010. The U-2 is a high altitude reconnaissance aircraft that reaches altitudes above 70,000 feet.

111002-N-OK922-391PACIFIC OCEAN (Oct. 1, 2011) Aviation BoatswainÕs Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Tamara Sewell, assigned to the air department aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), directs an F/A-18F Super Hornet as it is prepared for launch. Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 are underway conducting operations off the coast of Southern California.

970623-N-0485L-002. Subject Operation/Series: KERNEL BLITZ '97 Base: Uss Peleliu (LHA 5) Scene Major Command Shown: VMA-214 AND USS PELELIU

The pilot of a 1ST Tactical Fighter Squadron F-15C Eagle aircraft is silhouetted against the sun as he climbs into the cockpit of his aircraft during Operation Desert Shield. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Saudi Arabia (SAU)

030202-F-0193C-001. Base: Charleston Air Force Base State: South Carolina (SC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Military Jets Fixed Wing Fairchild Republic Aviat Airplanes A-10 Thunderbolt II Warthog strike fighter USAF U.S. Air Force

040314-F-2828D-031. Base: Port-Au-Prince Country: Haiti (HTI)

Members of the 615th Aerial Port Squadron from Travis Air Force Base, Calif., unload a 747 filled with 8,000 boxes of Meals Ready to Eat for relief victims from Hurrican Marilyn. Subject Operation/Series: HURRICANE MARILYN Base: Saint Croix State: Virgin Islands (VI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

ARABIAN GULF (Aug. 23, 2017) An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the Death Rattlers” of Marine Strike Fighter Squadron (VMFA) 323 prepares to take off from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. While in the region, the ship and its carrier strike group are conducting maritime security operations to reassure allies and partners, preserve freedom of navigation and maintain the free flow of commerce.

011017-F-0308N-480. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH Base: Al Udeid Air Base, Doha Country: Qatar (QAT) Scene Major Command Shown: CENTCOM

U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft assigned to the 777th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, sits on the flightline during sunrise prior to flying mission at Joint Base Balad, Iraq.

An AC-130U Gunship flies a local training mission Jan. 27, 2011, over Hurlburt Field, Fla. The Gunship is the primary weapon of Air Force Special Operations Command, and its primary missions are close-air support, air interdiction and armed reconnaissance. The Gunship is assigned to the 4th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field.

An F/18 Hornet aircraft from Fighter Attack Squadron Thirty Seven (VFA-37) and an S-3 Viking aircraft from Anti-Submarine Warfare Squadron Twenty Two (VS-22) are being lifted from the hangar bay to the flight deck prior to evening flight operations on board USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN 75). Truman is on station in the Persian Gulf in support of Opeation SOUTHERN WATCH. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH Base: USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75)

A1C Luke Shelton walks across the runway apron after completing a flight as tail gunner aboard a B-52 Stratofortress aircraft (right). Base: Carswell Air Force Base State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

060830-N-7526R-030. Base: USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76)

061006-A-5332O-057. Base: Logistical Storage Area Anaconda State: Baghdad Country: Iraq (IRQ)

An air-to-air view of the refueling boom of a KC-10 Extender aircraft from the 78th Air Refueling Squadron (AFRES) during a training mission. Country: Unknown

011114-F-0718S-039. Base: Spangdahlem Air Base State: Rheinland-Pfalz Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)

060115-N-8726C-001. Base: Sigonella State: Sicily Country: Italy (ITA)

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 77th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron returns to patrol after refueling from a KC-10 Extender assigned to the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron over an undisclosed location in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility (AOR), Oct. 21, 2022. Fighter aircraft routinely conduct presence patrols within the CENTCOM AOR to reassure allies and ensure regional security.

A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 91st Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, prepares to provide fuel to an HC-130J Combat King II assigned to the 26th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Jan. 9, 2023. The Stratotanker extends the range of the HC-130J aircraft, enabling the aircraft to fly into austere areas during combat search and rescue operations.

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon, assigned to the 179th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, approaches a KC-135 Stratotanker, assigned to the 50th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, to conduct refueling operations in the U.S. Air Forces Central area of responsibility, April 21, 2022. The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a compact, multi-role fighter aircraft that delivers airpower to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

A B-52H Stratofortress, assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing, approaches a KC-10 Extender, assigned to the 908th Expeditionary Air Refuel Squadron, while conducting a presence patrol mission with regional partner nation air forces within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, June 8, 2022. The U.S. and its allies and partners are capable of collective response to instability promoted by adversaries.

Two heavy container delivery systems plunge from the back of a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft to forces on the ground during the simulated Rainier War Dec. 6, 2014, over the Rainier drop zone, Wash. The Joint Concept for Entry Operations doctrine defines forcible entry as the seizing and holding of a lodgment in the face of armed opposition.

Airmen assigned to the 25th Fighter Generation Squadron transport an A-10C Thunderbolt II to a hangar at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, July 5, 2022. The A-10s assigned to the 25th Fighter Squadron recently returned from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, after providing close-air support during Red Flag 22-2.

An F-15E Strike Eagle receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker Sept. 23, 2014, over northern Iraq after conducting airstrikes in Syria. These aircraft were part of a large coalition strike package that was the first to strike Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant targets in Syria.

Senior Master Sgt. Phillip Johnson conducts backing procedures prior to a training flight onboard a C-17 Globemaster III Sept. 8, 2014, at Joint Base Charleston, S.C. Training flights are vital to the operational success of Airmen because they help develop the necessary skills for combat and humanitarian missions. Johnson is a loadmaster assigned to the 300th Airlift Squadron.

Silhouette of two soldiers standing near a fighter plane, F/A-18A Hornet, USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75), US Navy

040815-F-9085B-008. Base: Lakeland State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

OPA-LOCKA, FLORIDA , FLORIDA (3 September 2019) -- Florida National Guard Soldiers and Airmen, from the CBRN Enhanced Response Force Package (CERFP), load equipment and prepare for potential missions responding to Hurricane Dorian.

Sailors assigned to USS Gerald R. Fords (CVN 78) and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 conduct flight operations on the flight deck, April 16, 2022. Ford is underway in the Atlantic Ocean conducting carrier qualifications and strike group integration as part of the ships tailored basic phase prior to operational deployment.

An 81st Tactical Fighter Wing A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft prepares to land during Exercise Reforger '88. Subject Operation/Series: REFORGER '88 Base: Sembach Air Base Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)

060325-A-4026H-002. Subject Operation/Series: FOAL EAGLE Base: Daegu Air Base State: Dageu Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR) Scene Major Command Shown: 2ND CAVALRY REGIMENT

U.S. Air Force F-16C Falcons from the 187th Fighter Wing, Montgomery, Alabama, are refueled by a KC-135R Stratotanker from the 117th Air Refueling Wing, Birmingham, Alabama, Aug. 17, 2022. Photo was taken with the Red Tails and the 100th anniversary commemorative tail for the 117th Air Refueling Wing.

U.S. Army aircrews of Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 149th Aviation Regiment, General Support Aviation Battalion, 36th Combat Aviation Brigade, conduct an aircraft preflight inspection for an assigned CH-47 Chinook helicopter parked at the Udairi Landing Zone in Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Oct. 3, 2022. 36th CAB, mobilized as Task Force Mustang, is deployed in support of the Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve mission to advise, assist, and enable partnered forces in the enduring defeat of ISIS.

An F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft assigned to the 4th Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, approaches a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing, MacDill AFB, Florida, Jan. 4, 2023. The F-15E is a dual-role fighter capable of reaching targets over long ranges and destroying enemy ground positions.

010517-F-4338B-008. Base: Ellsworth Air Force Base State: South Dakota (SD) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

Australia, Canberra, Australian War Memorial Museum, WW2-era German ME-109K fighter aircraft

U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcons assigned to the 79th Fighter Squadron taxi on the flightline at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., July 19, 2022. The 79th FS and 79th Fighter Generation Squadron deployed to project combat air power and help stabilize the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

U.S. Air Force Capt. Andrea Delosreyes, 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, KC-135 Stratotanker pilot, inspects the boom with Airman 1st Class Christopher Morgan and Jacob Manuel, 340th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, KC-135 Stratotanker engine mechanics, panel prior to an in-air refueling mission over Iraq, Aug. 12, 2014. Prior to each mission, the aircraft commander does a walk-around inspection to validate the safety of the aircraft.

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