Military Aircraft Readiness

Ground crews working on various fighter and cargo aircraft on airbases, emphasizing the logistical efforts behind military aviation readiness.

The pilot of an F-15 Eagle fighter aircraft opens the canopy of the aircraft after returning from a sortie. Base: Eglin Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A view of an AV-8B Harrier aircraft with a camouflage paint scheme, as they are prepared for flight operation by ground crewmen. The Harrier is from Marine Light Attack Squadron 231 (VMA-231). Base: Naval Air Station, Fallon State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

981009-N-3642E-001. Subject Operation/Series: DYNAMIC MIX '98 Base: Uss Dwight D Eisenhower (CVN 69) Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

Italian F-3 Tornados wait at the EOR or last chance as crews remove safeties from guns and ordnance immediately prior to takeoff for a Red Flag mission at Nellis AFB, NV.

A left side view of A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft on the flight line as ground crewman perform post-flight maintenance and rearm them during Reforger-Crested Cap I. Subject Operation/Series: REFORGERCRESTED CAP I Base: Leck Air Base Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)

The pilot of an F-15 Eagle fighter aircraft opens the canopy of the aircraft after returning from a sortie. Base: Eglin Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A ground crewman checks a 495th Tactical Fighter Wing F-111F aircraft upon its return from a mission during Open Gate '89. Open Gate is a Joint Chiefs of STAFF/NATO exercise designed to simulate air and sea power tactics required to keep the Straits of Gibraltar open during a crisis. Subject Operation/Series: OPEN GATE '89 Base: Moron Air Base State: Sevilla Country: Spain (ESP)

DF-ST-85-09837. Subject Operation/Series: OCEAN VENTURE '84 State: Puerto Rico (PR) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Flight deck crewmen reposition AV-8C Harrier aircraft on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS GUADALCANAL (LPH 7) during Exercise AHUAS TARA II, taking place off the coast of Honduras. This is the first time the Guadalcanal has had Harriers embarked aboard for an extended exercise. Subject Operation/Series: AHUAS TARA II Base: USS Guadalcanal (LPH 7) Country: Caribbean Sea

DN-ST-89-07365. Subject Operation/Series: GALLANT EAGLE 88 Base: Naval Air Station, Fallon State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A pilot sits in the cockpit of an A-6E Intruder aircraft aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN-69). Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

A A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft are lined up on the flight line at the beginning of the air combat training exercise COPE THUNDER '83-1. Subject Operation/Series: COPE THUNDER '83-1 Base: Clark Air Base State: Luzon Country: Philippines (PHL)

An Air Anti-submarine Squadron 32 (VS-32) S-3A Viking aircraft prepares to catch the arresting cable as it comes in for a landing on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS AMERICA (CV 66). Country: Mediterranean Sea(MED)

DN-ST-86-11176. Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

An air-to-air view of a P-3 Orion aircraft banking to the right. This aircraft is carrying an AIM-9 Sidewinder missile on each outboard wing pylon and a total of four Harpoon missiles under its wings and fuselage. Country: Unknown

French Air Force Dassualt MFG Mirage 2000 fighter-bomber ground crewman loading 500 pound bombs/ordnance. Taking part in Red Flag exercises at Nellis Air Force Base Las Vegas NV.

Naval Weapons Center. A right side view of a Marine AV-8 Harrier aircraft armed with a Sidearm missile. Base: Nav Weapons Center, China Lake State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

US Navy Grumman EA-6B Prowler electronics warfare aircraft departs the runway and retracts is landing gear. Hills/mountains in background

DN-SC-87-05640. Country: Unknown

A-10 Thunderbolt IIs assigned to the 355th Wing at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., arrive at a simulated contingency location after completing a mission during exercise Bushwhacker 22-07 at Naval Air Station Oceana, Va., Nov. 3, 2022. Over 300 Airmen participated in BW 22-07, an Agile Combat Employment training exercise. This operational training was a part of the Lead Wing certification process and allowed DM to prepare for the final certification exercise projected to take place in 2023.

A view of the nose section of a Fighter Squadron 31 (VF-31) F-14D Tomcat aircraft as the plane is serviced on the flight line. An NC-8A mobile powerplant is in the background. Base: Naval Air Station, Miramar State: California(CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

040604-F-2295B-018. State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A-10 Warthogs from the 355th Fighter Squadron, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, fly over the coast at the Kunsan Bomb Range. The A-10s are returning from a live ordnance bomb drop. The 355th Fighter Squadron is the 1995 Top Guns at Gunsmoke '95. Subject Operation/Series: CAPABILITIES EXERCISE (CAPEX) Base: Kunsan Air Base Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

DN-ST-85-04016. Subject Operation/Series: INTENSE LOOK Base: USS Shreveport (LPD 12) Country: Gulf Of Suez

Ground Crew of a B-47. Ground Crew of a B-47. "McCoy AFB, FlaThe ground crew of a B-47 of the 310th Bomb Wing checks over its aircraft during the 11th Annual Strategic Air Command Bomb Meet."

DF-ST-85-01333. Subject Operation/Series: AIR WARRIOR Country: Unknown

DF-ST-87-13439. Subject Operation/Series: TEAM SPIRIT '85 Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

In honor of the 75th anniversary of the United States Air Force, the 149th Fighter Wing invited civilian pilot James Bohanon to fly his P-51 Mustang alongside the Gunfighters F-16s at Joint-Base San Antonio Lackland, Texas on Sept 10th, 2022. This historic aircraft was not only the 2nd model of aircraft to be flown by the 149th FW, but it was also flown by Chuck Yeager in WWII, the first pilot to exceed the speed of sound. (Air National Guard photo by SrA Kaliea Green)

An S-3 Viking launches from the flight deck during routine flight operations. The USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) is on deployment in the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH Base: USS Nimitz (CVN 68)

CAPT. William B. Hayden, commanding officer of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN-72), taxis a Fighter Squadron 114 (VF-114) F-14A Tomcat aircraft toward a catapult on the LINCOLN's flight deck. Country: Caribbean Sea

980927-N-1817R-002. Base: Uss Enterprise (CVN 65)

DF-ST-86-05027. Subject Operation/Series: TRIAD '84 Base: Ohakea Air Base Country: New Zealand (NZL)

A Fighter Squadron 31 (VF-31) F-14A Tomcat aircraft is guided into position on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS FORRESTAL (CV-59) during the allied forces exercise Team Work '88. Subject Operation/Series: TEAM WORK '88 Country: North Atlantic Ocean

DN-ST-85-02912. Base: USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

A Fighter Squadron 143 (VF-143) F-14A Tomcat aircraft clears the leading edge of the angled flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69) after being launched from the No. 4 waist catapult. Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

An air-to-air left side view of Air Anti-submarine Squadron 38 (VS-38) S-3A Viking aircraft based aboard the aircraft carrier USS RANGER (CV 61). The lead aircraft has a mine mounted on its wing pylon. Country: Unknown

A member of the maintenance team from the 334th Fighter Squadron, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, NC, directs an F-15E Strike Eagle as it arrives at Roswell Industrial Air Center during the annual air defense exercise. Subject Operation/Series: ROVING SANDS '95 Base: Roswell State: New Mexico (NM) Country: United States Of America (USA)

AMN Courtney Chapman (left) and AMN Phillip O'Hare (right), scrub down an F/A-18C Hornet aboard USS INDEPENDENCE (CV 62). INDEPENDENCE is deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH Base: USS Independence (CV 62)

An air-to-air left side view of an EA-6B Prowler aircraft assigned to Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 136 (VAQ-136) on the aircraft carrier USS AMERICA (CV 66). Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

DN-ST-90-02418. Base: USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

DN-ST-85-05533. Base: USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70)

An E-3A Sentry aircraft stands on the flight line as a second E-3A parks in the background during Operation Desert Shield. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Saudi Arabia (SAU)

A flight deck crewmen closes a door on a Fleet Logistic Support Squadron 30 (VRC-30) C-2A Greyhound aircraft aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN-72). Country: Caribbean Sea

U.S. Air Force Capt. Thomas Stephan, a pilot with the 185th Special Operations Squadron, conducts a preflight check on a 137th Special Operations Wing (SOW) MC-12W Aug. 11, 2022, Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, Mich. The 137th SOW Airmen joined approximately 7,400 military members from 19 states and several coalition countries including Canada, Latvia, and the U.K., at the National All-Domain Warfighting Center in support of Northern Strike 22-2, which will validate the readiness and interoperability of multicomponent, multinational, and interagency partners.

B-1B Lancers, from the 28th Bomb Wing Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota, sit on the ramp at RAF Fairford, United Kingdom. B-1B Lancers have deployed to RAF Fairford to support NATO Operation Allied Force. Subject Operation/Series: ALLIED FORCE Base: Raf Fairford State: Gloucestershire Country: England / Great Britain (ENG)

F-14 Tomcat Jet Fighter

DF-ST-85-13421. State: Okinawa Country: Japan (JPN)

DN-ST-87-05912. Base: Naval Station, Norfolk State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DN-SC-87-05637. Country: Unknown

A-10C of the Michigan Air National Guard.

An A-10C Thunderbolt II assigned to the 25th Fighter Squadron taxi on the flightline at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, June 23, 2022. The 25th FS and newly activated 25th Fighter Generation Squadron work together to prepare for and execute close air support missions in defense of the Republic of Korea and regional stability.

An MD-3A tow tractor tows an EA-6B Prowler aircraft across the flight deck during flight operations aboard the aircraft carrier USS CORAL SEA (CV-43). Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

DF-ST-85-13257. Country: Unknown

A 53rd Fighter Squadron F-15C Eagle aircraft stands in front of a hangar after arriving on base. The Eagle is one of a dozen such aircraft arriving from Bitburg Air Base, Germany, to be used 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 23rd Tactical Fighter Wing A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft lands during Exercise Gunsmoke '85. Subject Operation/Series: GUNSMOKE '85 Base: Nellis Air Force Base State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A safety officer signals that a Strike Fighter Squadron 131 (VFA-131) F/A-18A Hornet aircraft is ready for launch from 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)

050624-N-5345W-097. Base: USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

DN-SC-05-02427. Base: Naval Air Station, Miramar State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DN-ST-85-08899. Base: Naval Air Station, Pensacola State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An MC-130J Commando II assigned to the 1st Special Operations Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan, lands at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Nov. 8, 2022. Members from the 1st SOS conducted training alongside the 36th Munitions Squadron, Andersen AFB, increasing integration with conventional forces and demonstrating the capability of ready and postured forces within the Pacific theater.

A pilot and copilot man the cockpit of an EF-111 Raven aircraft as they prepare to take off on a mission during Operation Desert Storm. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Saudi Arabia(SAU)

DN-ST-88-04791. Base: USS America (CV 66)

DF-ST-85-04188. Subject Operation/Series: PITCH BLACK Base: Darwin State: Northern Territory Country: Australia (AUS)

A B-52G Stratofortress aircraft is serviced on the flight line prior to flying a bombing mission against Iraqi forces during Operation Desert Storm. The aircraft is armed with M-117 750-pound bombs. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Unknown

Lockheed F-104G Starfighter D-8308 is fueled.

DF-ST-88-03496. Base: Dyess Air Force Base State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, where he toured facilities, viewed aircraft, and met with personnel of the Air Force's Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds

DN-ST-86-11441. Base: USS Enterprise (CVN 65) Country: Indian Ocean (IOC)

Low angle right side view of an A-7 Corsair II aircraft of the 76th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 23rd Tactical Fighter Wing, airdropping Mark 82 hi-drag bombs over the Tyndall Air Force Base range. Base: Tyndall Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Lance Corporal Futo salutes as his fellow Marines, Lance Corporal Braddy and Lance Corporal Miranda, hoist the flag aboard the aircraft carrier USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV 67) at the beginning of FLEET EX-1-90. An F-14A Tomcat aircraft is in the background. Subject Operation/Series: FLEET EX-1-90 Base: USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

DN-SC-87-05772. Base: USS Dwight D Eisenhower (CVN 69)

A ground crewman signals an F-14 Tomcat aircraft pilot as he conducts a preflight engine check during Exercise Gallant Eagle '82. Subject Operation/Series: GALLANT EAGLE '82 Base: Naval Air Station, Miramar State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

050103-F-9429S-001. Base: Karshni-Khanabad Air Base Country: Uzbekistan (UZB)

041116-N-9293K-022. Base: USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72)

DF-SC-89-11484. Country: Unknown

A student and instructor at the Air Training Command undergraduate navigator school climb into the cockpit of a T-37 training aircraft prior to making a flight. Base: Mather Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Navy fighter jets including F/A-18A Hornets (Background), F-14 Tomcats (Middle), and A-6B Prowlers (Foreground) undergo preflight checks by Sailors on the flight deck of Forrestal Class Aircraft Carrier, USS INDEPENDENCE (CV 62), in the Persian Gulf. The jets are being prepared to enforce the No Fly Zone over Iraq. Base: USS Independence (CV 62)

DF-ST-89-04697. Subject Operation/Series: AMALGAM WARRIOR 88 Base: Elmendorf Air Force Base State: Alaska (AK) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Members of the catapult crew stand by as final preparations are made for the launch of an EA-6B Prowler aircraft during flight operations aboard the aircraft carrier USS SARATOGA (CV-60). The Prowler is assigned to Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 132 (VAQ-132). Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

A Pilatus PC-9 aircraft, center foreground, flies beside a C-5A Galaxy aircraft during a flight out of Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina. The Swiss-made PC-9 is undergoing evaluation by U.S. Army Test board. An Army T-28B Trojan aircraft is at lower right. State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DN-ST-89-05123. Base: USS Ranger (CV 61) Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

A catapult officer gives the signal to launch an Airborne Early Warning Squadron 120 (VAW-120) C-2A Greyhound aircraft from the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69) during carrier qualifications off the Virginia Capes. Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

DF-ST-91-07361. Base: Offutt Air Force Base State: Nebraska (NE) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An Air-Anti-submarine Squadron 29 (VS-29) S-3A Viking aircraft is brought to a halt by the crash barricade and an arresting wire on the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN-72). The aircraft was unable to make a normal arrested recovery because of damaged landing gear. Fifth view in a series of ten. Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

Pilots debark their A-7E Corsair aircraft upon return home from aboard the aircraft carrier USS RANGER (CV-61). The pilots are from the Light Attack Squadron 25 (VA-25) and 113 (VA-113). Base: Naval Air Station, Lemoore State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A flight deck crewman aboard the amphibious assault ship USS SAIPAN (LHA-2) prepares a UH-1N Iroquois helicopter for flight. The SAIPAN is taking part in exercise Ocean Venture '81. Subject Operation/Series: OCEAN VENTURE '81 Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

England, Cambridgeshire, Duxford, Imperial War Museum, Exhibit in American Air Museum

A close-up view of a Skipper II laser guided bomb mounted on the wing of an A-6 Intruder aircraft. Base: Nav Weapons Center, China Lake State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

ARABIAN SEA (Nov. 30, 2020) An E-2C Hawkeye from the "Sun Kings" of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 116 is towed across the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz, the flagship of the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three critical chokepoints to the free flow of global commerce.

F-15 Eagle aircraft stand on the flight line during night maintenance operations. The planes are being serviced by maintenance crew members in preparation for their participation in Exercise Cope Thunder 89-5. Subject Operation/Series: COPE THUNDER 89-5 Base: Clark Air Base State: Luzon Country: Philippines (PHL)

DN-SC-04-15226. Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

An air-to-air left side view of a 355th Tactical Training Squadron A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft armed with an AGM-65 Maverick missile, firing its GAU-8/A Avenger 30mm cannon over the Gila Bend Tactical Range. Country: Unknown

Left side view of a Douglas B-26B Invader (s/n 44-34552; c/n 27831), nicknamed "Brown Nose" with nose art, at end of airstrip. Technicians stand just off airstrip waiting.. Left side view of a Douglas B-26B Invader (s/n 44-34552; c/n 27831), nicknamed "Brown Nose" with nose art, at end of airstrip. Technicians stand just off airstrip waiting..

A crash crewmen in a proximity suit prepares to remove a "casualty" from under a UH-1N Iroquois helicopter during a firefighting and rescue drill aboard the amphibious assault ship USS IWO JIMA (LPH-2). (Fifth view in a series of six). Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

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