Military Aircraft Operations

Images of military aircraft on flight lines and preparation for missions, highlighting air mobility and humanitarian efforts.

U.S. Air Force Capt. Ryan Hartz, KC-135 Stratotanker pilot assigned to the 50th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, conducts preflight checks prior to takeoff at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, April 21, 2022. The KC-135 delivers Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central) global reach aerial refueling capability to support joint and partner nation aircraft throughout the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

DF-ST-89-00908. Subject Operation/Series: SHADOW HAWK Base: Al Jafr Country: Jordan (JOR)

A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor pilot assigned to the 90th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron boards a C-130 to return to Poland from Ørland Main Air Station, Norway, Sept. 19, 2022. The 90 EFS forward deployed to Norway to conduct an arctic agile combat employment (ACE) exercise with the Royal Norwegian Air Force and NATO Allies and partners. The joint training and integration provided in this ACE exercise improves the resilience and survivability of coalition airpower.

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, OKINAWA, Japan -a KC-130J Super Hercules aircraft prepares for take-off on the Marine Corps Air Station Futenma flight line March 12 to provide assistance in the wake of the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan, March 11. The aircraft carries more than 8,600 pounds of supplies to assist the victims of the disaster. Marines will work through the night loading planes with more supplies and personnel to be delivered to affected areas. The proximity of Marine aviation assets at MCAS Futenma has allowed Marines from III MEF to rapidly deploy critically-needed supplies and aid to areas that need it most.

A front view of a C-141 Starlifter aircraft assigned to the 514th Air Mobility Wing, McGuire AFB, New Jersey parked on the flight line at Comalapa Field, El Salvador. The aircraft and crew are in El Salvador as part of the US Militarys Hurricane Mitch relief effort. Base: Comalapa Field Country: El Salvador (SLV)

C-17 Globemaster III aircraft from Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., prepare to conduct a strategic brigade airdrop exercise over North Auxiliary Airfield, S.C., Dec. 16, 2009. U.S. Army Soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division, Ft. Bragg, N.C., were airdropped in the exercise along with cargo pallets to simulate the seizure of a remote airfield, providing a joint training opportunity for the Airmen and Soldiers. The training mission included airdrops over North Auxiliary Airfield, aerial refueling training and simulated aeromedical evacuation.

U.S. Air Force Capt. Ryan Hartz, KC-135 Stratotanker pilot assigned to the 50th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, conducts preflight checks prior to takeoff at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, April 21, 2022. The KC-135 delivers Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central) global reach aerial refueling capability to support joint and partner nation aircraft throughout the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

DF-ST-89-07580. Base: March Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Crew chiefs assigned to the 442nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, perform a post flight inspection on an A-10C Thunderbolt II assigned to the 303rd Fighter Squadron, Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, Feb. 6, 2024 at MacDill AFB, Florida. The A-10 can employ a variety of conventional munitions including general purpose bombs, cluster bomb units, laser guided bombs and joint direct attack munitions. It utilizes the GAU-8/A 30mm cannon, capable of firing 3,900 rounds per minute to defeat a wide variety of targets including tanks. Air Force

Senior Airman Rachel Rodgers speaks with Airman 1st Class Justis Strahan and Senior Airman Ryan Frantaccia about maintenance and refueling procedures for a B-52 Stratofortress June 11, 2014, at Royal Air Force Fairford, England. The Airmen, all based at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., deployed with fellow Barksdale AFB Airmen to the U.S. European Command area of responsibility to train with U.S. and allied military forces in the region. Rodgers is a fuels distribution operator with the 2nd Logistics Readiness Squadron. Strahan and Frantaccia are both crew chiefs with the 2nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.

Secretary of the Navy John F. Lehman Jr. steps out of an E-3B Skywarrior aircraft assigned to Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron 2 (VQ-2) during his visit to the squadron. Base: Naval Station, Rota Country: Spain (ESP)

United States Marine aircraft maintenance specialist pressure washing an MV-22 Osprey, Camp Bastion, Helmand Province, Afghanistan

A U.S. Air Force C-5M Super Galaxy cargo aircraft, assigned to the 439th Airlift Wing, Westover Air Reserve Base, Massachusetts, arrives and prepares to unload cargo at Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, Peru, June 27, 2023 during exercise Resolute Sentinel 23. Resolute Sentinel improves readiness of U.S. and partner nation military and interagency personnel through joint defense interoperability training, engineering projects and knowledge exchanges.

A C-17 Globemaster III transporting Desert Lightning Team members returns from a deployment at an undisclosed location at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Oct. 17, 2022. The members returned home to their families after a deployment overseas.

U.S. Airmen with the 62d Airlift Wing and the 366th Fighter Wing maneuver a jammer off a C-17 Globemaster III during Exercise Rainier War 22B at Gowen field, Bosie, Idaho, Oct. 20, 2022. Exercise Rainier War is designed to evaluate and exercise Team McChords ability to generate, employ and sustain Rapid Global Mobility into and in support of U.S. Indo-Pacific areas of responsibility.

020509-F-1005J-004. Base: Fort Smith State: Arkansas (AR) Country: United States Of America (USA)

The sun rises over C-17A Globemaster IIIs, a C-141 Starlifter, and C-5 Galaxy at Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sicily, during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Naval Air Station, Sigonella State: Sicily Country: Italy (ITA) Scene Major Command Shown: AMC

Logistic Readiness Squadron Airmen, 148th Fighter Wing, Minnesota Air National Guard, Duluth, Minn., make preparations to load a C-5M Galaxy aircraft with electronic countermeasures for use on an F-16 aircraft, April 6, 2016. The Minnesota Air National Guard's 148th Fighter Wing, an element of Air Combat Command, is deploying fighter aircraft to Osan Air Base, South Korea in order to provide U.S. Pacific Command and Pacific Air Forces with Theater Security Packages, which help maintain a deterrent against threats to regional security and stability.

DF-ST-89-00956. Subject Operation/Series: SHADOW HAWK Base: Al Jafr Country: Jordan (JOR)

980610-F-4116M-002. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH 1998 Base: Kuwait International Airport Country: Kuwait (KWT) Scene Major Command Shown: AMC

DF-ST-89-05955. Base: Travis Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An MC-130J Commando II arrives at the 193rd Special Operations Wing Feb. 2, 2023 at Middletown, Pennsylvania. The aircraft is the first to arrive to the 193rd SOW, marking a symbolic beginning to its new primary mission as the first, and currently only Air National Guard unit to operate the Commando II.

DF-ST-88-09696. Base: Charleston Air Force Base State: South Carolina (SC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A member of the 8th Expeditionary Air Mobility Support Squadron, Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, drives a K-loader up to a C-17 Globemaster III to down load from the aircraft during Operation SOUTHERN WATCH. The marshaller is a part of the coalition forces of the 363rd Air Expeditionary Wing that enforces 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)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. . Sara Light, U.S. Marine Corps KC-130J Super Hercules crew chief assigned to the Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 (VMGR 252) carries wheel chocks during aircraft start up on Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti Nov. 1, 2022. The refueling unit is deployed from Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, and supports the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa by providing aerial refueling, airdrop and rescue capabilities to the area of operations.

An E-3A Sentry aircraft receives maintenance between flights during Operation Desert Shield. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Saudi Arabia (SAU)

Maintainers assigned to the 6th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron prepare a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing for departure at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, Sept. 23, 2022. The KC-135 has been used for aerial refueling missions for over 60 years and requires regular maintenance.

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 378th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron Fire and Emergency Services Flight, look through the door of a KC-10 Extender aircraft, during a simulated emergency response exercise, Dec. 9, 2022, at Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Firefighters and first responders assigned to the 378th ECES routinely conduct training exercises to ensure emergency response times and overall mission readiness.

U.S. Airmen from the 151st Air Refueling Maintenance Group and 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne) load a Polaris Military RZR onto a KC-135R Stratotanker at Roland R. Wright Air National Guard Base, Utah, in preparation for a joint force exercise being held at Dugway Proving Ground on Sept. 1, 2022. The exercise is designed to challenge the status quo and allow the U.S. military to improve strategies against their greatest competitors.

1st Lt. Anthony Randazzo, WC-130J Super Hercules co-pilot for the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., performs pre-flight duties June 2, 2022. The 53rd WRS flew its first data collection mission of the Atlantic hurricane season into Invest 91L off the Yucatan Peninsula.

041029-F-4517Q-001. Base: Travis Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Air Force maintainers from the 90th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron conduct post flight aircraft recovery at Łask Air Base, Poland, Sept. 5, 2022. The 90th EFS forward deployed to support NATOs Air Shielding mission. The 90ths presence in the region strengthens U.S. and NATOs unity each day as forces come together to train and deter in an ever-evolving threat environment.

A U.S. Air Force C-5 Galaxy aircraft lands at Jorge Chávez International Airport during Resolute Sentinel 23 in Lima, Peru, June 27, 2023. Resolute Sentinel is a U.S. Southern Command exercise led by 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern). The exercise will last approximately one month, from June to July 2023. Resolute Sentinel improves participants collective readiness through joint defense interoperability training, medical, engineering projects and knowledge exchanges.

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- A C-17 Globemaster III, from the Royal Australian Air Force's 36th Squadron, sits on Yokota's flight line here Japan March 18 after flying from Okinawa. The RAAF transported the 15th Brigade of the Japan Ground Self Defense Force from Okinawa to help with Japan's earthquake and tsunami relief effort.

View of a Lockheed F-104G Starfighter of the Italian Air Force provided from fuel.

020330-F-1894K-023. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Country: Unknown

A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III takes off during a C-17 readiness review exercise. The exercise was designed to test the ability of the C-17 to support mission requirements and interface with the Army. Subject Operation/Series: C-17 READINESS REVIEW Base: Barstow-Daggett Airport State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A KC-135R Stratotanker belonging to the 117th Air Refueling Wings fleet sits on the flight line at Sumpter Smith Joint National Guard Base, Alabama, Feb. 10, 2024. The mission of the 117 ARW is to provide quality worldwide air refueling, airlift, support, logistics, intelligence, and medical services in support of its community, state, and the nation with its KC-135R Stratotanker fleet. Air National Guard

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Michale Herrera, loadmaster with the 4th Airlift Squadron, guides a fuel truck into the cargo area of a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft during Exercise Rainier War 22B at Pocatello, Idaho, Oct. 18, 2022. Exercise Rainier War is a major exercise for the 62d Airlift Wing, including multiple airlift assets, joint partners and special operations forces.

DN-SC-89-04611. Country: Unknown

Airman 1st Class Austin Letz, 43rd Fighter Generation Squadron, pulls the chocks away from his F-22A Raptor before a sortie March 24 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The 325th Fighter Wings Raptor squadron has been at Eglin since 2018 because Hurricane Michael destroyed their home station, Tyndall AFB. The Raptors will soon depart Eglin for their new home, Langley AFB, Virginia.

As the C-5A Galaxys cargo is downloaded, maintenance crews conduct post-flight inspections on the aircraft at Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella, Italy, during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. In response to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 at the New York World Trade Center and the Pentagon, President George W. Bush initiated Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in support of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT), fighting terrorism abroad. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Naval Air Station, Sigonella State: Sicily Country: Italy (ITA) Scene Major Command Shown: AMC

060331-N-8726C-001. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM/ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Sigonella State: Sicily Country: Italy (ITA)

030409-F-2380C-006. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Country: Unknown

SEAC Ramón Colón-López, Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, attends the Talon 13 Remembrance Ceremony Aug. 5, 2022 at Hurlburt Field, Florida. During his visit, the SEAC attended the Talon 13 Remembrance Ceremony, visited AFSOC Headquarters and 24th Special Operations Wing, had lunch with Airmen, and hosted an All-Call. The SEAC serves as the 4th Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the most senior enlisted service member, by position, in the United States Armed Forces, and the principal military advisor to the Chairman on all matters involving joint and combined total force integration, utilization, health of the force, and joint development for enlisted personnel.

A Royal Australian Air Force leading aircraftman marshals a C-17 Globemaster III at RAAF Base Tindal, Northern Territory, Australia, Aug. 18, 2022. By operating and coordinating with the RAAF, U.S. Air Force Airmen strengthen the ability to rapidly mobilize anywhere anytime.

Members of the 619th Military Airlift Support Squadron use a Cochran loader to load US Army M151 vehicles aboard a Flying Tigers 747 contract aircraft. The vehicles are being shipped to Korea for use during exercise TEAM SPIRIT '79. Subject Operation/Series: TEAM SPIRIT '79 Base: Hickam Air Force Base State: Hawaii (HI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

011113-F-1718K-025. Subject Operation/Series: COPE NORTH 02-1 Base: Kadena Air Base State: Okinawa Country: Japan (JPN) Scene Major Command Shown: PACOM JASDF

KC-135 Stratotankers from the 351st Air Refueling Squadron (ARS), Royal Air Force (RAF) Mildenhall, at Borgas International Airport, Bulgaria, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Borgas International Airport Country: Bulgaria (BGR) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

010924-F-5171M-029. Base: Minneapolis-St Paul Iap/Ars State: Minnesota (MN) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: AMC

A C-5 Galaxy transport aircraft from the 709th Military Airlift Squadron, Dover Air Force Base, Del., sits in the dense Saudi fog as maintenance crews make repairs and systems checks during Operation Desert Shield.

A High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) and a shelter housing equipment are downloaded from an Air Mobility Command's C-5 Galaxy during the Operational Readiness Inspection (ORI), which tests a unit's ability to operate in a simulated environment. Subject Operation/Series: CRISIS REACH 95-02NORTHERN PIKE Base: Cold Lake State: Alberta (AB) Country: Canada (CAN)

Soldiers passing in the night before a dimly lit C17 from the 172nd Air Wing of the Mississippi National Guard, are arriving for a training exercise in the Virgin Islands to provide support to civil authorities in a post hurricane training scenario.In the early morning hours of December 13, Caribbean Thunder, and emergency deployment readiness exercise (EDRE) was initiated to validate the capability of the Michigan National Guard to notify, marshal and deploy a ready force of Michigan National Guard Soldiers to the Virgin Islands to provide support to the Virgin Islands National Guard and U.S. Virgin Islands Civil Authorities using a realistic scenario in a live and constructive training environment.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Carlos Reyes Rosa, aerial porter with the 62d Aerial Port Squadron, secures a fuel truck in the cargo area of a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft during Exercise Rainier War 22B at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, Oct. 18, 2022. Airmen from multiple Team McChord units came together to form the 7th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron during Rainier War 22B; which is a full-scale readiness exercise simulating a deployment in support of U.S. Indo-Pacific areas of responsibility.

A silhouette of two KC-10s deployed to the air base on the flightline between refueling missions during the operation.(Exact date unknown). Subject Operation/Series: VIGILANT WARRIOR Base: Moron Country: Spain (ESP)

Medium long shot, rear view, AIRMAN First Class Ryon Brown, USAF, (left) and SENIOR AIRMAN Kevin Schettler, USAF, (right) on elevated maintenance stand, remove ice a KC-135R Stratotanker horizontal stabilizer. Both airmen are assigned to the 319th Air Refueling Wing, Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., and are participating in an Operational Readiness Inspection on the Alpha ramp at the base on April 11, 2000. Base: Grand Forks Air Force Base State: North Dakota (ND) Country: United States Of America (USA)

040129-F-9429S-002. Base: Grand Forks Air Force Base State: North Dakota (ND) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DM-ST-86-08425. Base: Mcas, Cherry Point State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

MISAWA, Japan (Sept. 30, 2020) Aviation Structural Mechanic (Equipment) 1st Class Jesse Espinosa, standing, Aviation Structural Mechanic (Equipment) 1st Class Michael Pabustan, left, and Aviation Structural Mechanic (Equipment) Airman Noah Rush, all assigned to the Screaming Eagles” of Patrol Squadron (VP) 1, conduct engine maintenance on a P-8A Poseidon. VP-1 is currently deployed to NAF Misawa, Japan conducting maritime patrol and reconnaissance and theater outreach operations within U.S. 7th Fleet (C7F) area of operations in support of Commander, Task Force 72, C7F, and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command objectives throughout the region.

View from atop the vertical stabilizer of the first C-17 Globemaster III, in the Air Force inventory, showing the flightline and numerous C-141B Starlifters assigned to the 437th Airlift Wing. Base: Pope Air Force Base State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-ST-86-12163. Base: Davis Field State: Oklahoma (OK) Country: United States Of America (USA)

041111-F-1740G-001. Base: Yokota Air Base Country: Japan (JPN)

U.S. Army National Guard Soldiers with the South Carolina National Guard load personal protective equipment on a CH-47 Chinook assigned to the 2-238th General Support Aviation Battalion, South Carolina National Guard, to be transported and distributed to counties in the upstate of South Carolina in support of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. The South Carolina National Guard remains ready to support the counties, local and state agencies, and first responders with requested resources for as long as needed in support of COVID-19 response efforts in the state.

Left side rear view of a C-130 Hercules sitting on the tarmac at Moi International Airport, Mombasa, Kenya. Three members of the 772nd Airlift Squadron, 463rd, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, do maintenance checks after changing a tire on the aircraft. This mission is in direct support of Operation Restore Hope. Subject Operation/Series: RESTORE HOPE Base: Mombasa International Airport Country: Kenya (KEN)

U.S. Marine Corps KC-130J Hercules aircraft assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 252 sit on the flight line at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Oct. 2, 2012.

A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft assigned to the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, sits on the flight line during pre-flight checks prior to an aerial transport of an M1A1 Abrams Tank to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom on Nov. 28, 2010. The 816th EAS is currently deployed to an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia.

A 380th Expeditionary Maintenance Group crew chief performs tow team duties April 28, 2014, at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. The maintainer walks along the aircraft near the wing tips to ensure they do not come into contact with taxiing jets.

040917-F-6701P-001. Base: Lask Air Base State: Lodzkie Country: Poland (POL)

Members of the National Airborne Operations Center climb into an E-4B airborne command post, assigned to the 55th Wing at Offutt AFB during the joint military exercise GLOBAL GUARDIAN '98. Subject Operation/Series: GLOBAL GUARDIAN '98 Base: Offutt Air Force Base State: Nebraska (NE) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An exterior view of the Patrol Squadron 10 (VP-10) maintenance hangar, its doors open wide to accommodate one of the squadron's P-3C Orion aircraft. Base: Naval Station, Rota Country: Spain (ESP)

011113-F-5795G-003. Complete Scene Caption: Members of the 93rd Aircraft Generation Squadron (AGS), Robins AFB, Georgia, use a Bobtail tractor to remove the ground power unit away from an E-8C JSTARS deployed in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. "The E-8C Joint STARS is an airborne battle management and command and control (C2) platform that conducts ground surveillance to develop an understanding of the enemy situation and to support attack operations and targeting that contributes to the delay, disruption and destruction of enemy forces. These functions support the primary mission of Joint STARS to provide dedicated support of ground and air theater commanders." Operation ENDURING FREEDOM is in support of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT), fighting terrorism abroad, after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 at the New York World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Country: Unknown Scene Major Command Shown: CENTAF

U.S. Airmen with the 366th Munitions Squadron prepare to load cargo onto a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft during Exercise Rainier War 22B at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, Oct. 19, 2022. Exercise Rainier War is used to evaluate and exercise Team McChords ability to generate, employ and sustain Rapid Global Mobility into and in support of U.S. Indo-Pacific areas of responsibility.

020325-N-5362A-002. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Country: Unknown Scene Major Command Shown: VP-4

U.S. Airmen from the 60th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron and 60th Aerial Port Squadron load AE equipment onto a k-loader to move onto a KC-46A Pegasus, assigned to the 22nd Air Refueling Wing at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, for KC-46A training at Travis Air Force Base, California, Aug. 16, 2022. In addition to aerial refueling, the KC-46A can accommodate a mixed load of passengers, aeromedical evacuation and cargo transport.

Airmen inspect a C-5 Galaxy aircraft after it delivered 18 supply pallets to the 455th Expeditionary Aerial Port Squadron May 26, 2014, at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan. The C-5 is assigned to the 337th Airlift Squadron.

A U.S. Forest Service Modular Airborne Firefighting Systems (MAFFS) Airtanker Base Specialists (MABS) prepares to load a C-130J Super Hercules Aircraft from the California Air National Guards 146th Airlift Wing at Boise Tanker Base, Idaho, September 10, 2022. The United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service activated two Department of Defense C-130 aircraft equipped with MAFFS to assist with increased fire activity in several western states. (Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Thomas Cox)

040205-F-5040D-177. Base: Andersen Air Base State: Guam (GU) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: PACAF

050103-F-1466H-001. Base: Somewhere In Southwest Asia

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 378th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, conduct maintenance checks on a KC-10 Extender aircraft assigned to the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron at Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dec. 9, 2022. The KC-10 is one of the airframes in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility that provides air refueling capability to provide global reach for overseas contingency operations.

DF-ST-86-00722. Base: Offutt Air Force Base State: Nebraska (NE) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An RQ-4 Global Hawk Block 40 aircraft assigned to the 319th Reconnaissance Wing is parked in front of a hangar Sept. 27, 2022, during Readiness Exercise Validation Global Griffin 09-22 at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota. The RQ-4 is a high-altitude, long-endurance, remotely-piloted aircraft with an integrated sensor suite that provides global all-weather, day-or-night intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability.

A B-1B Lancer aircraft assigned to the 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, waits to be guided into a parking spot after returning to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam from a Bomber Task Mission, June 8, 2022. Bomber Task Force missions strengthen the collective ability of the U.S. and our allies and partners to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Ordnance personnel from the 42nd Munitions Maintenance Squadron load Mark 60 CAPTOR (encapsulated torpedo) anti-submarine mines onto a B-52G Stratofortress aircraft from the 42nd Bombardment Wing during Ghost Warrior, a joint Air Force/Navy exercise conducted during the base's conventional operational readiness inspection. Subject Operation/Series: GHOST WARRIOR Base: Loring Air Force Base State: Maine (ME) Country: United States Of America (USA)

041105-N-7871M-014. Base: USS George Washington (CVN 73)

A U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules aircraft with 36th Airlift Squadron taxis on the flight line in preparation for Korean Marine Exchange Program 24.1, at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Feb. 23, 2024. KMEP is a bilateral training exercise that increases interoperability and strengthens the combined capabilities of Republic of Korea and U.S. Marines. Marine Corps

Right side rear view medium silhouetted shot from a low angle looking up as US Air Force AIRMAN First Class Labriderick Cottingham, Aircraft Crew CHIEF, 6th Aircraft Generation Squadron, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, confirms the pilot's preflight operations checks for the US Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker. Base: Macdill Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An A-10 Thunderbolt II sits in a hangar as the sun rises April 9, 2013, on Barksdale Air Force Base, La. The A-10 is equipped with one 30mm GAU-8/A seven-barrel Gatling gun capable of firing 3,900 rounds per minute to defeat a wide variety of targets including tanks.

View of a B-1B Lancer bomb bay loaded with Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) based on a BLU-109 2,000-pound bombs, for support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. In response to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 at the New York World Trade Center and the Pentagon, President George W. Bush initiated Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in support of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT), fighting terrorism abroad. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Country: Unknown Scene Major Command Shown: 28th AEW

030402-F-6809H-015. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Country: Unknown Scene Major Command Shown: 398th AEG

U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 51st Fighter Wing transport an F-16 Fighting Falcon to a hangar during a training event at Daegu Air Base, Republic of Korea, Feb. 1, 2023. Airmen participated in a simulated deployment to Daegu and Gwangju to test their ability to conduct coordinated operations in the defense of the ROK while dispersed at contingency operating bases.

020103-F-2034C-047. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Thumrait Air Base Country: Oman (OMN) Scene Major Command Shown: 405th Air Expeditionary Wing

A U.S. Air Force aircrew member assigned to the 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, boards a B-1B Lancer on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, for a Bomber Task Force mission, June 8, 2022. Bomber Task Force missions strengthen the collective ability of the U.S. and our allies and partners to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific.

030331-F-4806N-001. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base Country: Romania (ROM)

The F-15EX Eagle IIs afterburners light up the night during a ground test Oct. 26 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The aircraft underwent various ground and flight acoustic testing to create a baseline noise level for use by the Department of Defense. This was the first time this type of in-depth digital acoustic sound testing was done on any F-15 model.

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