Military Aircraft Operations

Images of various military aircraft, including tankers and bombers, taxiing or preparing for flight at air force bases.

U.S. Air Force Airmen, assigned to the 23rd Wing, prepare to depart at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, Oct. 24, 2022. The 23rd Wing deployed A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft and support personnel to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam for a routine Dynamic Force Employment Operation.

980620-F-9580Z-045. Base: Mcchord Air Force Base State: Washington (WA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

PACIFIC OCEAN (July 15, 2022) The aviation support team from Royal Australian Navy landing helicopter dock HMAS Canberra (L02) transfer an embarked U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey into the ships hangar during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022. Twenty-six nations, 38 ships, three submarines, more than 170 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 29 to Aug. 4 in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2022 is the 28th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (Photo by Royal Australian Navy Petty Officer Chris Szumlanski)

A low angle view of a KA-63 Intruder aircraft landing on board the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN-73) during Fleet Exercise 2-94. Subject Operation/Series: FLEET EXERCISE 2-94 Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

011013-A-7315T-009. Base: Alexandria State: Louisiana (LA) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: FORSCOM

Transient Alert member at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, marshals a C-5B Galaxy, 60th Air Mobility Wing, Travis Air Force Base, California to its flight line spot, during the Operational Readiness Inspection. These Air Force members will practice their jobs with scenarios and conditions which tests a unit's ability to operate in a simulated wartime environment. Subject Operation/Series: CRISIS REACH 95-02NORTHERN PIKE Base: Malstrom Air Force Base State: Montana (MT) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Airmen assigned to the 20th Aircraft Maintenance Unit perform maintenance on a B-52H Stratofortress weapon-mount pylon during the Prairie/Bayou Vigilance 24-2 exercise Jan. 3, 2024, at Barksdale Air Force Base, La. The Prairie/Bayou Vigilance 24-2 exercise focuses on building on Airmens existing skills and fostering a stronger team.

An A-10 Thunderbolt II from the 127th Wings 107th Fighter Squadron returns to Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan, from a training flight. 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.

220716-N-VI910-1004 PACIFIC OCEAN (July 16, 2022) Sailors transport an F/A-18E Super Hornet, assigned to the "Tophatters" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 14, in the hangar bay aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is underway conducting routine operations in the U.S. 3rd Fleet.

U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagles assigned to the 67th Fighter Squadron sit on the parking ramp in preparation for Pitch Black 2022 night missions at Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin, Aug. 31, 2022. PB22 is the latest in long standing, multilateral exercises designed to enhance participating countries air operations. This year, 17 nations are participating in PB22, and is scheduled from Aug. 19 to Sept. 8, 2022.

A UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter assigned to Joint Task Force Bravos 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment flies over Air Force Two while transporting Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, Jan. 27, 2022. JTF-Bravo and its supporting units facilitated rotary-wing transportation and air base support to Harris, while she visited Honduras to attend the swearing in of Xiomara Castro as first female president of Honduras. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Adam R. Shanks)

A C-5 Galaxy aircraft is positioned on the flightline in preparation for loading cargo and personnel of Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 14 (HM-14). The Squadron will be deployed to the Persian Gulf. Country: Unknown

AH-64D Longbow Apache and CH-47F Chinook helicopters of the U.S. Army Europe.

Senior Airman Cody Polzin, A-10C Thunderbolt II Demonstration Team crew chief, performs pre-flight inspections in San Marcos, Texas, May 27, 2022. The A-10 Demonstration Team is made up of 11 personnel, including a pilot, nine maintenance personnel and a public affairs specialist. The mission of the A-10 Demonstration Team is to recruit, retain and inspire.

New York, NY, May 5, 2022 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations (NOAA) Hurricane Hunters landed at John F. Kennedy International Airport as part of the Hurricane Awareness Tour. Federal, state and local officials -- along with the press -- toured the planes, meeting the pilots and crew who fly into hurricanes collecting data that helps emergency managers make decisions about preparedness efforts. The event was part of Hurricane Preparedness Week. National Weather Service Warning Coordination Meteorologist for New York Nelson Vaz is interviewed by News 12. K.C. Wilsey/FEMA

A right side view of a Marine Attack Squadron 513 (VMA-513) AV-8A Harrier aircraft as it takes off vertically from a field. Base: Camp Smith State: Hawaii (HI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A Japan Air Self Defense Force Mitsubishi F-2A taxis over an AM-2 mat during Cope North 24 at Northwest Field, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Feb. 8, 2024. AM-2 matting form portable runways, taxiways, and parking for aircraft, enabling a wide range of air operations in contested or austere environments. Air Force

030307-F-9032T-013. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Country: Unknown Scene Major Command Shown: CENTCOM

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon takes off from an undisclosed location in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Jan. 10, 2023. The U.S. along with partner nations, operate a highly agile fighting force, leveraging the most advanced platforms to deter aggression and ensure stability in the region.

Royal Air Force Police tour a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft with U.S. Airmen assigned to the 351st Air Refueling Squadron at RAF Mildenhall, England, April 7, 2022. The RAF Police visited the installation to learn about the mission, culture and Airmen of the 100th Air Refueling Wing.

While fire-rescue personnel prepare evacuation litters, two stand-in "astronauts" prepare to use an exit slide from a Shuttle mockup during a rescue training exercise.

050311-N-3122S-005. State: Okinawa Country: Japan (JPN)

DM-SC-85-09304. Base: Beirut Country: Lebanon (LBN)

A right front view of a parked B-52H Stratofortress aircraft silhouetted against the sunrise. The aircraft, assigned to the 37th Bomb Squadron, is participating in Exercise Glad Customer '82. Subject Operation/Series: GLAD CUSTOMER '82 Base: Raaf Darwin State: Northern Territory Country: Australia (AUS)

A maintainter prepares a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft for towing on Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, January 16, 2024. The Airmen worked despite the inch of snow that covered the flightline.

Trip to California: Alameda Naval Air Station, 11:00AM. President John F. Kennedy steps out of Air Force One upon his arrival at Alameda Naval Air Station in Alameda, California. Walking out of airplane behind President Kennedy (L-R): White House Secret Service agent, Gerald A. Jerry Behn; Naval Aide to the President, Captain Tazewell Shepard; Congressman George P. Miller (California); Chairman of Atomic Energy Commission, Dr. Glenn Seaborg; Congressman Jeffery Cohelan (California).

A KC-46APegasus from McConnell Air Force Base,Kansas stopped at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio for a routine stop and allowed base personnel to tour the aircraft Oct. 12, 2022.

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Michael Gesford, 26th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron HC-130J Combat King II loadmaster, guides a loading vehicle an cargo to the aircraft during a combat airlift operation within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, November 22, 2022. The HC-130J is a rapidly deployable, multi-capable airframe, that performs combat search and rescue, aerial refueling, and combat airlift missions within the CENTCOM AOR.

030225-F-1472B-025. Base: Salt Lake City State: Utah (UT) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Air Force pilots speak to each other before conducting a familiarization flight in a C-130J Super Hercules during RED FLAG-Alaska 23-1 on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Oct. 7, 2022. This exercise provides unique opportunities to integrate various forces into joint, coalition and multilateral training from simulated forward operating bases.

Recovery crews tow the Global Hawk unmanned aircraft after its arrival at Langley AFB. The aircraft flew non-stop from Edwards Air Force Base, California, to Langley, Virginia, as part of a NATO seminar hosted by the Supreme Allied Commander, Atlantic. Base: Langley Air Force Base State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

Soldiers conduct emergency operations at an airfield damaged by Hurricane Hugo. A C-5 Galaxy aircraft waits on the runway. Base: Saint Croix State: Virgin Islands (VI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Maj. Benjamith Smith, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron pilot, tests an oxygen mask onboard a WC-130J at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., Oct. 21, 2022. The 53rd WRS was tasked by the National Hurricane Center to begin flying Tropical Storm Roslyn in the Pacific Ocean.

A U.S. Air Force RQ-4 Global Hawk aircraft assigned to the 99th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron, has its pre-flight checks accomplished by maintenance technicians prior to a flying mission Nov. 23, 2010, while deployed at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia.

A French military aircraft carrying personnel participating in African Lion 22 lands on a runway at the Al-Massira International Airport in Agadir, Morocco, June 14, 2022. African Lion 2022 is U.S. Africa Commands largest, premier, joint, annual exercise hosted by Morocco, Ghana, Senegal and Tunisia, June 6 - 30. More than 7,500 participants from 28 nations and NATO train together with a focus on enhancing readiness for U.S. and partner nation forces. AL22 is a joint all-domain, multi-component, and multinational exercise, employing a full array of mission capabilities with the goal to strengthen interoperability among participants and set the theater for strategic access.

Pennsylvania Air National Guardsman Staff Sgt. Cody Donnelly, assigned to the 171st Air Refueling Wing, directs a forklift into a spot for cargo drop-off during a Nuclear Operational Readiness Exercise, May 13, 2022, near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The routine exercise allows the unit to practice mobilizing aircraft, personnel and equipment at a moment's notice.

Photos from Aviation Training Center, Mobile - 26-HK-422-16. Hurricane Katrina

A Ground Launch Cruise Missile Launch Control Center after its arrival aboard a C-5 Galaxy aircraft. Base: Raf Greenham Common Country: England / Great Britain (ENG)

The Global Hawk unmanned aircraft is weighed and systems checked after its arrival at Langley AFB. The aircraft flew non-stop from Edwards Air Force Base, California, to Langley, Virginia, as part of a NATO seminar hosted by the Supreme Allied Commander, Atlantic. Base: Langley Air Force Base State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

Soldiers from the California National Guards San Bernadino-based 1-185th Infantry Regiment arrived home at Los Angeles International Airport today, Oct. 15, 2022, after a one-year deployment to Poland. During their deployment, the 1-185th was part of Battlegroup Poland, a NATO lead operation that enforces NATO and a multinational military presence in Northeastern Europe. Their specific mission was to train with other nations to demonstrate an alliance and the ability to respond as one force against any potential aggression. (Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Amanda H. Johnson)

Katrina Response Ops - Coast Guard Air Station - Clearwater, Florida - 26-HK-163-126. Hurricane Katrina

A WC-130J Super Hercules aircraft assigned to the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron departs Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., Oct. 21, 2022. The squadron is tasked with flying 12-hourly fix missions into Tropical Storm Roslyn until the system makes landfall.

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.

An Army UH-1N helicopter from the Colorado Army National Guard's High Altitude Training Squadron at Eagle County Airport lifts off to conduct a reconnaissance flight with Air Force BGEN Donald A. Streater, A-10 recovery operations commander. The flight will provide the first look at the aircraft crash site at Gold Dust Peak. Base: Eagle State: Colorado (CO) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Four CH-53D Sea Stallion helicopters from Marine Aircraft Group 42 (MAG-42) fly in formation as they arrive over the air station. The returning helicopters are assigned to a Marine Corps Reserve heavy helicopter squadron that was called to activity duty for Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD DESERT STORM Base: Naval Air Station, Alameda State: California(CA) Country: United States Of America(USA)

DF-ST-85-01883. Base: Dry Lake State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

The UH-1 Iroquois take off in a staggered formation for an orientation flight as part of the annual Spouses Day event at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. May 14, 2022. This year spouses from the Air National Guard were able to attend spouse day as it was opened up this year for different sections in units.

Educators from Recruiting Stations Indianapolis, Kansas City, Milwaukee, and Twin Cities observe a static display of varying aircraft as part of the 2024 Educators Workshop at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Feb. 22, 2024. Participants of the workshop visit Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego to observe recruit training and gain a better understanding about the transformation from recruits to United States Marines. Marine Corps

U.S. Navy Blue Angels C-130J Hercules Fat Albert flies over two Blue Angels F/A-18 Super Hornets during the 2022 Kaneohe Bay Air Show, Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Aug. 13, 2022. As the U.S. Navys Flight Demonstration Squadron, The Blue Angels is 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-86-10071. Base: Mexico City State: Distrito Federal Country: Mexico (MEX)

K-4 munitions trailers carrying LAU-68 2.75-inch rocket pods are parked next to a Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 321 (VMFA-321) F/A-18A Hornet aircraft being serviced on the flight line. The reserve squadron is at Fallon for two weeks of active duty training at the Naval Air Warfare Center target complex. Base: Naval Air Station, Fallon State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-ST-86-05011. Subject Operation/Series: TRIAD '84 Base: Ohakea Air Base Country: New Zealand (NZL)

U.S. Marines with 3rd Landing Support Battalion, and Army Soldiers with 10th Transportation Battalion, set up a node in preparation for Balikatan 23 at Camp Agnew, Casiguran, Philippines, April 5, 2023. Balikatan is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades shared experiences.

Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to Pima County, Arizona's border area with Mexico, where he joined U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel for meetings, tours, flights, inspections

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Owen Lawton, 357th Fighter Generation Squadron weapon armament technician, transports a crate containing air-to-ground missiles at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Sept. 13, 2022. Once the flying schedule calls for live munitions on flying sorties, aircraft are positioned at LOLA and weapons load crews are dispatched to perform the live loading operations.

A UH-60 Black Hawk assigned to Army Support Activity Fort Dix, sits stationary on the newly constructed U.S. Army Aviation Facility ramp at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst N.J. on Aug. 19, 2022. The Army Aviation Facility Project was a MILCON effort valued at 11.7 million dollars and made possible through the joint effort of ASA Fort Dix and the U.S. Marine Corps Marine Aircraft Group 49. The 2100 square foot building is host to an Army Ramp Management Area which provides a wide range of capabilities for both fixed and rotary wing aircraft such as the C-130, CH-47S, and UH-60S. The addition of the new Army Ramp will provide enhanced load out and aviation operation training capabilities, parking for Army aviation aircraft, refueling, troop movement and flight planning operations for approximately 216,000 people that use JB MDL to meet readiness requirements.

A change of command ceremony is held for Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 268, Marine Aircraft Group 24, Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Dec. 8, 2022. Lt. Col. Vanessa Clark relinquished command of VMM-268 to Lt. Col. Brandon Pope.

Alabama Air National Guard KC-135 pilot Cpt. Jeremiah Goldsmith of the 117th Air RefuelingWing approaches a runway for landing in Bucharest, Romania, May 17, 2022. Goldsmith justfinished flying the first ever mid-air refueling sortie between the Alabama Air National Guard andthe Romanian Air Force

U.S. Air Force Fire protection specialists prepare to extinguish a mock aircraft fire during a response task force exercise July 28, 2022 on Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. Readiness exercises allow units to stay prepared for any potential emergency response.

Aircrafts - Miscellaneous - 26-HK-56-37. CG HU-25 and HH-65 with personnel on ramp; helicopter overhead with hoist lowered. Hurricane Katrina

DF-ST-88-05156. Base: Pope Air Force Base State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DART Exercise 2002 'Response to Terrorism'

A U.S. Air Force C-5M Super Galaxy cargo aircraft, assigned to the 439th Airlift Wing, Westover Air Reserve Base, Massachusetts, arrives and unloads a fuel truck at Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, Peru, June 27, 2023 during exercise Resolute Sentinel 23. The 439th Airlift Wing is capable of providing worldwide air movement of troops, supplies, equipment and medical patients. Support units provide communications, engineering, logistical, medical and security requirements.

Aftermath and Relief - 26-HK-295-37. Hurricane Katrina

The Idaho Air National Guards 124th Fighter Wing hosted the biennial A-10 Thunderbolt II competition, Hawgsmoke, Sept. 6-9, 2022. On Sept. 8, nearly 30 A-10s from across the nation took off from Gowen Field's flight line for the competition that took place at Idaho's Saylor Creek Range. 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 190th was announced winners of the 2022 Hawgsmoke on Sept. 9, making this overall win the squadrons fourth 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.

A retired U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor is loaded into a C-5 Galaxy at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Dec. 9, 2022. The F-22 will be taken to Hill AFB, Utah, to be de-militarized and then given to Hill Aerospace Museum on base.

The newly introduced B-2 advanced technology bomber sits on the flight line in front of Air Force Plant 42 during the roll out ceremony. Base: Air Force Plant 42, Palmdale State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

960903-F-2829R-002. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH Base: Prince Sultan Air Base Country: Saudi Arabia (SAU)

US Air Force maintenance personnel of the 22nd Air Refueling Wing, McConnell AFB, Kansas attach a multipoint in-flight refueling system pod to the wing tip of a KC-135R Stratotanker. From AIRMAN Magazine, July 2000 article "Mission McConnell.". US Air Force maintenance personnel of the 22nd Air Refueling Wing, McConnell AFB, Kansas attach a multipoint in-flight refueling system pod to the wing tip of a KC-135R Stratotanker. From Airman Magazine, July 2000 article "Mission McConnell."

061029-N-6936D-002. Base: Ns Jacksonville State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Guests gather for the official ceremony of the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Partner Appreciation Day 2022 event at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 10, 2022. The event celebrated the 20th anniversary of the arrival of U.S. service members in Djibouti after the terrorist attacks of 9/11.

U.S. Air Force Airmen, assigned to the Ohio National Guards 180th Fighter Wing, transports a pallet of cargo during a large-scale readiness inspection, Aug. 8, 2022, at the base in Swanton, Ohio. The Airmen are part of the Arrival and Departure Airfield Control Group, whose primary function is to properly weigh, preform center of balance calculations, and ensure hazardous cargo is safe for flight. The exercise was a full-scale assessment of the rapid generation and movement of personnel and equipment, utilizing a 24-hour operation concept. The wing was evaluated on its ability to pack, prepare and deploy mission-ready personnel, aircraft and support equipment, while operating in a contested and degraded environment.

The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, known as the Thunderbirds, perform at the Frontiers in Flight Open House and Air Show on McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, Sept. 24, 2022. The Thunderbirds represent the pride, precision and professionalism of 695,000 total force American Airmen across the globe.

DF-ST-85-05896. Base: Kelly Air Force Base State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A C-130H Hercules aircraft assigned to the 910th Airlift Wing performs an assault landing at Youngstown Air Reserve Station, Ohio, Sept. 16, 2022, as judges mark the landing spot to get an accurate measurement. The landing was part of the 757th Airlift Squadron's annual tac week, a condensed week of flight training highlighted by a six-aircraft formation flight.

Soldiers and dignitaries participate in a ground-breaking ceremony for the Departure/Arrival Airfield Control Group (DAACG) Operation Facility. Base: Fort Stewart State: Georgia (GA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Miscellaneous - Security Photos - 26-HK-436-73. Hurricane Katrina

Photos from Aviation Training Center, Mobile - 26-HK-421-60. Hurricane Katrina

030207-F-1166S-005. Base: Mcguire Air Force Base State: New Jersey (NJ) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: Air Mobility Command

Airmen, friends, and family members of the 158th Fighter Wing await the arrival of fighter pilots from an overseas deployment, Vermont Air National Guard Base, South Burlington, Vermont, Aug. 2, 2022. This week, F-35A Lightning II Aircraft, equipment, and personnel from the 158th Fighter Wing begin returning home from a three month overseas deployment at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany.

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