Military Aircraft Operations

Photos of military aircraft during refueling operations, bomb testing, and flight demonstrations, highlighting air force capabilities.

The U.S. Naval Flight Demonstration Squadron, The Blue Angels, perform flight demonstrations in F/A-18 Super Hornets as part of the 2022 Kaneohe Bay Air Show, Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Aug. 12, 2022. The Blue Angels are comprised of six F/A-18 Super Hornets and one C-130J Hercules who perform aerobatics around the United States. The Kaneohe Bay Air Show, which contained aerial performances, static displays, demonstrations and vendors, was designed to express MCBHs appreciation to the residents of Hawaii and their continued support of the installation.

DF-ST-85-11264. Subject Operation/Series: BRIM FROST '85 Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-ST-89-03603. Country: Unknown

An F-111 aircraft from the 3246th Test Wing drops a Mark 82 500-pound bomb with parachute attached during a parachute deployment test. Base: Eglin Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft assigned to the 6th Air Mobility Wing, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., delivers fuel to a KC-46A Pegasus aircraft during a night-time refueling over Louisiana, May 16, 2019. This is the first time the 6th AMW refueled the KC-46A. The KC-46A, a next-generation aerial refueling platform, alongside the KC-135, enables global reach for the joint force.

The U.S. Naval Flight Demonstration Squadron, The Blue Angels, perform flight demonstrations in F/A-18 Super Hornets as part of the 2022 Kaneohe Bay Air Show, Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Aug. 12, 2022. The Blue Angels are comprised of six F/A-18 Super Hornets and one C-130J Hercules who perform aerobatics around the United States. The Kaneohe Bay Air Show, which contained aerial performances, static displays, demonstrations and vendors, was designed to express MCBHs appreciation to the residents of Hawaii and their continued support of the installation.

A KC-10A Extender aircraft from McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey, refuels a Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornet aircraft. The Blue Angels, the Navy's premier demonstration team, performed for 325,000 people at the Lakehurst Naval Air Engineering Station, NJ, Airshow on June 2-3, 2001. The McGuire AFB KC-10A refueled the Blue Angels as they returned to their home base at Pensacola, Florida. Country: United States Of America (USA)

image USAF Lockheed F-16C Fighting Falcon Viper over a mountain/desert background. Very tight image of F-16 cockpit and pilot

Northrop Grumman Military Jets Grumman Fixed Wing Aviat Airplanes B-2A Spirit stealth bomber sky below underneath

Crewman aboard the aircraft carrier USS MIDWAY (CV 41) load an AIM-9 Sidewinder missile on an F-4 Phantom II aircraft during flight deck operations. Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

An EC-130 from Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., refuels from a KC-135 Stratotanker over the ranges of Nellis AFB, while participating in the exercise "Green Flag" held several times a year at Nellis AFB. Subject Operation/Series: GREEN FLAG Base: Nellis Air Force Base State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DN-ST-88-01821. Country: Unknown

A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 33rd Fighter Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, receives fuel from a KC-10 Extender over the panhandle of Florida, Aug. 15, 2022. The F-35A is the Air Force's newest 5th-generation fighter designed to replace aging fighter inventories and provide advanced fighting capabilities.

An Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) during its launch from an F-14A Tomcat aircraft, near the Pacific Missile Test Center (PMTC), Point Mugu, Calif. Country: Unknown

The pilot of an F-16 from the 169th Fighter Wing in South Carolina takes on fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 134th Air Refueling Wing. The 134th Air Refueling Wing celebrated the centennial anniversary of in-flight refueling on June 27, 2023, by performing two flyovers and a total of seven in-flight refuelings in the skies over Tennessee.

An A-10 Thunderbolt II assigned to the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, flies over the Nevada Test and Training Range, Nevada, Aug. 3, 2022. The A-10s launched AGM-65D Maverick missiles during their mission over the NTTR.

A P-3C Orion aircraft begins its descent after a Joint Task Force 4 drug interdiction patrol. Country: Unknown

Red tags hang from three AGM-86B air-launched cruise missiles before they are loaded onto a B-52G Stratofortress aircraft during an operational readiness inspection by the Strategic Air Command Inspector General Team. Base: Barksdale Air Force Base State: Louisiana (LA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A B-52 Stratofortress aircraft flies a mission over Carswell Air Force Base as part of a base alert exercise. State: Texas(TX) Country: United States Of America(USA)

The Royal Air Force in Tunisia, April 1943 A Flight Lieutenant bomb-aimer of No 223 Squadron, Royal Air Force checks over his bomb sight in Martin Baltimore aircraft `N-NAN'. The open bomb-bay doors give a glimpse of general purpose 250-pounder bombs.

An Mi-17 helicopter is loaded on to a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, June 9, 2022. The C-17 was carrying an Mi-17 helicopter that the Department of Defense is delivering to aid Ukrainian troop movement around the battlefield.

A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II from the 33rd Fighter Wing takes off during night flying operations at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, March 16, 2023. Night flying is a crucial part of the flying training syllabus, performed monthly to ensure the wing is mission-capable and combat-ready.

Sikorsky Military Helicopters Aviat HH-60G Pave Hawk Alaska Air National Guard sky winter

A 53rd Fighter Squadron pilot climbs into his F-15C Eagle aircraft to begin a mission during Operation Deny Flight, the enforcement of the United Nations-sanctioned no-fly zone over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Subject Operation/Series: DENY FLIGHT Base: Aviano Air Base State: Pordenone Country: Italy (ITA)

A flight deck crewman hoses down F-14A Tomcat aircraft aboard the aircraft carrier USS KITTY HAWK (CV-63). Country: Unknown

An F-15 Eagle from the 18th Wing, in a vertical ascent above the clouds at sunset, fires a flare and blasts afterburner flames. Base: Kadena Air Base State: Okinawa Country: Japan (JPN)

A 60th Military Airlift Squadron C-5 Galaxy aircraft is silhouetted by the sun as it takes off for the Philippines. The Galaxy is transporting medical supplies, gathered by Americares Foundation, to Philippine hospitals. Base: Travis Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A maintenance crewman from Attack Squadron 46 (VA-46) polishes the canopy of the squadron commander's A-7E Corsair aircraft as it sits on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67) following the cease-fire that ended Operation Desert Storm. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Unknown

060730-N-7981E-097. Base: USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72)

An advanced medium range air-to-air missile (AMRAAM) after its launch from an F-14A Tomcat aircraft, near the Pacific Missile Test Center (PMTC), Point Mugu, California. Country: Unknown

DF-ST-85-07813. Country: Unknown

Directly over the El Bon drop zone in Somalia, supplies are air-dropped, during Operation Provide Relief efforts. Pilots from the Air Transport Wing 63, Germany, fly two air-drop missions over Somalia daily. Subject Operation/Series: PROVIDE RELIEF Base: Mombasa Country: Kenya (KEN)

A C-17 Globemaster III aircraft assigned to the 437th Airlift Wing receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing during the 6th ARW Agile Combat Employment capstone exercise, Aug. 23, 2022. The ACE concept underpins the Air Forces ability to mitigate the risks of adversarial technological advances through maneuverability and speed to prevail in conflict. The capstone exercise included 72-hours of continuous air refueling operations and a historic 56-hour KC-135 flight in a simulated contested environment focused on a notional theater of operations.

DF-ST-87-13476. Subject Operation/Series: TEAM SPIRIT '85 Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

ATLANTIC OCEAN (Oct. 4, 2012) The guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG 64) fires an illumination round from its Mark 45 Mod 2, 5-inch 54-caliber, lightweight gun toward a range on the coast of Scotland. Gettysburg is taking part in Exercise Joint Warrior. Joint Warrior takes place off the coast of Scotland and is designed and led by the joint tactical exercise planning staff in the United Kingdom. It is intended to improve interoperability between allied navies and prepare participants for a role in a joint maritime environment during deployments. Americas Sailors are Warfighters, a fast and flexible force deployed worldwide. Join the conversation on social media using #warfighting.

The pilot and crew chief of an F-4E Phantom II aircraft perform a preflight check prior to a training mission during exercise Barfrost '89. Twelve F-4E Phantoms from the 108th Tactical Fighter Wing, New Jersey Air National Guard, and 330 people deployed to the Arctic Circle location for a six-day North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) air-land exercise. Subject Operation/Series: BARFROST '89 Base: Bodo Air Station Country: Norway (NOR)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Austin Mckinney, an MV-22B crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 162, inspects the rotor of an MV-22B Osprey at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, Sept. 19, 2022. VMM-162 prepared personnel and aircraft in support of a Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona. VMM-162 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force.

Coast Guard Personnel - Miscellaneous - 26-HK-90-348. shadowed view of personnel on HH-65 near rotor blade--050901. Hurricane Katrina

RIM-7 NATO SeaSparrow Surface-to-Air Missile USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) US Navy

An air-to-air left side view of a flight of five F-15 "Eagles" are back lighted by the sun flying in a wedge formation over the clouds. The aircraft are all from the 405th Tactical Training Wing, (TTW). Exact Date Shot Unknown. Base: Luke Air Force Base State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A U.S Air Force F-22 pilot docks with the KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 117th Air Refueling Wing, Alabama Air National Guard, during a refueling exercise off the coast of Jacksonville, Florida for Sentry Savannah 22-1 on May 12, 2022. Exercises like Sentry Savannah held at the Air Dominance Center not only train and test the counter air capabilities of the next generation of fighter pilots, but they also provide critical experience and training to 10 different units of maintenance Airmen in the rapid employment and recovery of aircraft.

TOM CRUISE in TOP GUN: MAVERICK (2020), directed by JOSEPH KOSINSKI.

Maintenance crewmen scrub down the rotor blades of a Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 14 (HM-14) MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter aboard the amphibious assault ship USS NEW ORLEANS (LPH-11). The NEW ORLEANS is serving as a platform for mine-clearing operations following Operation Desert Storm. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Unknown

A Latvian National Armed Forces soldier provides force protection during a Latvian-led field artillery live fire exercise, NAMEJS, at Liepāja, Latvia, Sept. 26, 2022. Latvia is proudly working alongside 1st Infantry Division, other NATO allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces to V Corps, America's forward deployed corps in Europe.

An air-to-air right side view of the nose section of an F-14 Tomcat aircraft assigned to the aircraft carrier USS AMERICA (CV 66). Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor pilot from the 95th Fighter Squadron, Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., flies over the Baltic Sea Sept. 4, 2015. The U.S. Air Force has deployed four F-22 Raptors, one C-17 Globemaster III, approximately 60 Airmen and associated equipment to Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. While these aircraft and Airmen are in Europe, they will conduct air training with other Europe-based aircraft.

DN-SC-86-03944. Base: USS Coral Sea (CV 43) Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

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

DF-ST-85-12616. Subject Operation/Series: NIGHT TRAIN/GLOBAL SHIELD '84 Base: Davis-Monthan Air Force Base State: Arizona (AZ) 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.

DF-ST-90-04399. Base: Aviano Air Base State: Pordenone Country: Italy (ITA)

220614-N-BI507-1052 PACIFIC OCEAN (June 14, 2022) An F/A 18-E Super Hornet approaches the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) to make an arrested gear landing on the flight deck. Nimitz is underway in the U.S. 3rd fleet area of operations.

DF-ST-88-01556. Base: USS Constellation (CV 64)

Two U.S. Air Force Thunderbird F-16 Fighting Falcons execute a precision acrobat technique for a crowd March 23, 2014, at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. The Thunderbirds performed for more than 185,000 during the MacDill AFB presents Tampa Bay AirFest 2014.

A U.S. Air Force crew chief assigned to the 90th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron helps an F-22 Raptor pilot get ready for take-off to conduct a night training flight, Sept. 27, 2022 at Łask Air Base, Poland. Night training operations are essential for ensuring readiness and helps to maintain 24/7 operations in support of the NATO Air Shielding mission.

A view of a B-1 bomber aircraft, silhouetted against the sun, in flight during testing and evaluation. Base: Edwards Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An underside view of an HH-53 Super Jolly helicopter from the 67th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, involved in pararescue training. Country: United Kingdom (UK)

The plane captain of a Fighter Squadron 74 (VF-74) F-14A Tomcat aircraft polishes its windscreen while the aircraft is parked on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS SARATOGA (CV-60) during Operation Desert Storm. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Red Sea

A CV-22 Osprey from the 21st Special Operations Squadron flies in route to exercise Resolute Dragon 22 over Kamifurano Maneuver Area, Hokkaido, Japan, Oct. 11, 2022. Resolute Dragon 22 is an annual bilateral exercise designed to strengthen the defensive capabilities of the U.S.-Japan Alliance by exercising integrated command and control, targeting, combined arms, and maneuver across multiple domains.

A front view of an A-10A Thunderbolt II close-support aircraft from the 103rd Tactical Fighter Group showing the unit crest and the aircraft's 30mm seven-barrel cannon. The plane is taking part in Exercise Quick Thrust '83-1. Subject Operation/Series: QUICK THRUST '83 Base: Travis Field, Savannah State: Georgia (GA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

011008-F-9319F-002. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Ramstein Air Base State: Rheinland-Pfalz Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU) Scene Major Command Shown: AMC/USAFE

The Royal Air Force in North Africa, May 1943 A Royal Air Force Bristol Beaufighter in flight over a desert airfield in North Africa.

An air-to-air view of an F-4 Phantom II aircraft during exercise Cope Thunder. In the background are, front to rear, an F-5 Tiger II aircraft, an F-4 Phantom II aircraft and a T-33A Shooting Star aircraft. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Subject Operation/Series: COPE THUNDER Base: Clark Air Base State: Luzon Country: Philippines (PHL)

220629-N-XN177-1059 EAST CHINA SEA (June 29, 2022) - Sailors drive a tow tractor on the flight deck of amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli (LHA 7), June 29, 2022. Tripoli is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and maintain stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

CVN78 CARRIER AIRFLOW STUDY IN FLUID MECHANICS LAB (CVN21)

A U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon with the 119th Fighter Squadron is refueled by a 141st Air Refueling Squadron KC-135R Stratotanker over the Atlantic Ocean on July 27, 2021. Both Squadrons are part of the New Jersey Air National Guard.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Daniel Nielsen, right, and Cpl. Benjamin Reinhardt, loadmasters with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152, scan the night-time sky on a KC-130J Super Hercules aircraft during a night-time aerial refueling training exercise off the coast of Okinawa, Japan June 24, 2022. VMGR-152 provides aerial refueling service to support Fleet Marine Force air operations and provides assault air transport of personnel, equipment and supplies.

A B-24 Aircraft, Of The 93Rd Bomber Group, Is Approaching A Target During A Bombing Mission. Blyfield, Germany.

061205-N-8907D-004. Base: USS Dwight D Eisenhower (CVN 69)

Remains of vintage WWII aircraft in Pearl Harbor Museum

ATLANTIC OCEAN (Oct. 23, 2012) An E-2C Hawkeye assigned to the Screwtops of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 123 flies past the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) during an air power demonstration. Enterprise is completing its final deployment to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts. The U.S. Navy has a 237-year heritage of defending freedom and projecting and protecting U.S. interests around the globe. Join the conversation on social media using #warfighting.

A view of a Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) firing a round of ammunition. Base: White Sands Missile Test Range State: New Mexico (NM) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A Skyhawk A-4 attack bomber is about to touch down on the nuclear-powered attack carrier USS ENTERPRISE (CVAN-65), South China Sea, 4/1966. (Photo by JOC J F Falk/US Navy/GG Vintage Images)

A P-51 Mustang (B7-H_) nicknamed 'Ferocious Frankie' of the 361st Fighter Group, flown by Lieutenant Colonel Wallace Hopkins, releases two bombs during a mission.

The German Focke-Wulf 190 proved to be a deadly interceptor against the American B-17 Flying Fortress bombers during WWII

Lt. Col. Brandon Nauta, 65th Aggressor Squadron commander, performs pre-flight checks before participating in an inaugural mission as a 65th Aggressor pilot at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, June 9, 2022. The 65th AGRS was previously active at Nellis from 2005 to 2014. During that time, the unit replicated tactics and techniques of potential adversaries with a fleet of F-15 Eagles.

A catapult crewman waits for the shuttle to fully retract before hooking up the nose gear of a Strike Fighter Squadron 136 (VFA-136) F/A-18A Hornet aircraft aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN-69) during Fleet Ex '90. Subject Operation/Series: FLEET EX '90 Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

Douglas C-47 Troop Carrier Planes Off On A Mission.

Brig. Gen. Dann S. Carlson, outbound commander of the 154th Wing, prepares for his final F-22 Raptor flight Sept. 7, 2022, at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. The 154th Wing saw some of the Air National Guard's highest-level awards under his leadership, including the Outstanding Unit Award and the Gen. Spaatz Trophy.

A General Dynamics F-16A Fighting Falcon in a shelter in an unknown place.

Aerial view of F-15 fighter jets resting on the ground in the desert, their blue camouflage contrasting against the arid earth, Tucson, Arizona, United States.

Airmen from the Idaho Air National Guards 124th Maintenance Group replace an engine on the flight line at the Combat Readiness Training Center, Alpena, MI, June 15, 2022. Exercising the multi-capable airman concept, airmen from across the maintenance group are able to cooperatively accomplish tasks that might otherwise be reserved for specific shops.

An F-16C Fighting Falcon assigned to the U.S. Air Force Weapons School is piloted by Maj. Douglas Mayo, 64th Aggressor Squadron instructor pilot, during a training mission Sept. 22, 2022, over the Nevada Test and Training Range, Nevada. The Aggressor program began in the fall of 1972 with the activation of the 64th Aggressor Squadron. This program started as a direct result of the high air combat loss rate experienced in the Vietnam War.

An Escort Of North American P-51S Of The 8Th Air Force With Auxiliary Fuel Tanks Under The Wings. Said To Be 361St Fg, 8Th Af, Taken 20 July 1944 During Mission Over France.

A view of an electronic warfare (jammer) pods installed on an A-3 Skywarrior aircraft at the Pacific Missile Test Center. Base: Naval Air Station, Point Mugu State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An F-35C Lightning II attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147 lands on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) in the Atlantic Ocean, Feb. 28, 2024. George Washington is conducting Tailored Ships Training Availability and Final Evaluation Problem (TSTA/FEP). TSTA prepares the ship and crew for full integration into a carrier strike group through a wide range of mission critical operations. Navy

Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 772 - 26-HK-334-19. Hurricane Katrina

DF-ST-88-03827. Subject Operation/Series: VOLANT PARTNER 87-1 Base: Chievres Air Base State: Hainaut Country: Belgium (BEL)

of 3