Military Airlift and Cargo Operations

Showcases the loading and unloading of military aircraft, featuring C-17 and KC-135 planes used in exercises and logistical support for military operations.

Three U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotankers remain dormant on the flightline at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, Oct 1, 2022. The aircraft returned to the base after being evacuated for Hurricane Ian.

Soldiers from the 4th Battalion, 60th Air Defense Artillery Regiment load various military vehicles into a Boeing C-17 in preparation for an Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise (EDRE) at the National Training Center (NTC).

Airmen from the 6th Airlift Squadron stand outside the C-17 in preparation for the Agile Combat Employment training on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., Aug. 24, 2022. Airmen from the 6th AS, 305th Air Mobility Wing conducted integrated training and utilized Agile Combat Employment concepts to prepare for Air Force Force Generation deployments. Exercising ACE elements enables our forces to operate with varying levels of capacity and support, to generate lethal combat power. The AFFORGEN model will increase high-end readiness necessary to deploy as cohesive units and deliver Rapid Global Mobility in support of combatant commanders, the Joint Force, and our allies and partners to meet National Defense Strategy requirements.

U.S. Air Force MC-130J Commando II with 353rd Special Operations Wing, has equipment unloaded at Subic Bay International Airport in support of Balikatan 23 on March 29, 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 of shared experiences.

Three U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotankers remain dormant on the flightline at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, Oct 1, 2022. The aircraft returned to the base after being evacuated for Hurricane Ian.

A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III from Joint Base Lewis McChord unloads cargo and Airmen participating in the Raging Gunfighter exercise at Hill Air Force Base, Utah May 17, 2022. Raging Gunfighter is an Air Combat Command exercise designed to simulate operating a Lead Wing from an Austere Environment. The purpose of this exercise is to prepare the 366th Fighter Wing for potential Agile Combat Employment (ACE) operations around the world.

U.S. Air Force aircrew from the 16th Airlift Squadron and U.S. Marines from Marine Test and Evaluation Squadron-1, airlift and unload a CH-53K King Stallion Helicopter from a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III to Berlin, Germany, June 15, 2022. The C-17 is the most flexible cargo aircraft in the airlift force, capable of rapid strategic airlift of troops and cargo.

A rear view of the new USAF C-17 transport aircraft on the tarmac being serviced by ground support services. Base: Macdill Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) is unloaded off of a C-130J Hercules at Allen Army Airfield during a joint force operation conducted by the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Marines at Fort Greely, Alaska, Feb. 16, 2024. The purpose of the operation was to conduct HIMARS Rapid Infiltration, also known as a HIRAIN, in support of exercise Arctic Edge 2024. Army

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Chenel Sheehan from the 10th Airlift Squadron out of McChord Air Force Base, Wash., performs preflight checks on a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft from Joint Base Charleston, S.C., during the Joint Operational Access Exercise at Pope Air Force Base, N.C., Feb. 9, 2011. JOAX is a two-week exercise that includes large package week and joint operational access. It includes the 82nd Airborne Division, U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules and C-17 cargo aircraft and various other Air Force support assets such as security forces, contingency response group, and tactical air control party members. The exercise prepares Airmen and Soldiers to respond to world-wide crises and contingencies.

041015-F-5742K-003. Base: Charleston Air Force Base State: South Carolina (SC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Airmen assigned to the 163d Attack Wing board a C-17 aircraft assigned to the 105th Airlift Wing from the New York Air National Guard at March Air Reserve Base in California on April 1st, 2023 before they disembark to Exercise Balikatan in the Philippines. The 163d will lead the way as part of the first large-scale integration of an unmanned platform into Philippine Air Space. They will work shoulder to shoulder with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to provide Intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, maritime domain awareness and simulated offensive air support for the exercise.

011014-F-4406B-002. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Naval Air Station, Sigonella State: Sicily Country: Italy (ITA) Scene Major Command Shown: AMC

DF-ST-84-08137. Base: Hurlburt Field State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

011010-F-4406B-027. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Naval Air Station, Sigonella State: Sicily Country: Italy (ITA) Scene Major Command Shown: AMC

1st Special Operations Wing Air Commandos prepare to evacuate AC-130J Ghostrider gunships at Hurlburt Field, Florida, Sept. 27, 2022. Hurlburt Field leadership directed the evacuation of aircraft before the landfall of Hurricane Ian out of an abundance of caution.

Members of the U.S. Army prepare to load a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System onto a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III assigned to Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, during Exercise GOLDEN BEE at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Sept. 26, 2022. Exercise GOLDEN BEE is a joint readiness exercise led by Air Mobility Command and was designed to provide training integration and rehearse strategic and operational objectives in support of Agile Combat Employment initiatives in the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility.

Pilots and crew chiefs with the 914th Air Refueling Wing discuss the operational state of the KC-135 Stratotanker during a preflight inspection August 15, 2022, on the flight line at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, New York. Preflight checks are completed for the interior and exterior components of the KC-135 before takeoff to ensure maximum safety for the crew and preventative measures for the aircraft.

Soldiers from the 4th Battalion, 60th Air Defense Artillery Regiment load various military vehicles into a Boeing C-17 in preparation for an Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise (EDRE) at the National Training Center (NTC).

Members of the Kentucky Air Guard's 123rd Special Tactics Squadron load rescue gear onto a C-130 for deployment to coastal Texas on Sept. 13. About 25 of the unit's pararescuemen, combat controllers and support troops will conduct rescue and relief operations around Houston and Galveston in the wake of Hurricane Ike. Kentucky Air National Guard

020502-F-4029D-013. Base: Barksdale Air Force Base State: Louisiana (LA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A U.S. Air Force Forward Area Refueling Point specialist prepares to refuel a U.S. Army UH-60 from a MC-130J Commando II assigned to the 352d Special Operations Wing during Special Operations Air-Land Integration training near Daugavpils, Latvia, June 28, 2023. We are improving our mobility to the Eastern Flank by diversifying our logistics nodes; bolstering prepositioned stocks; encouraging investment in maintenance capabilities and shortening the window between the deployment and integration of the right capabilities.

DF-ST-86-12772. Subject Operation/Series: COPE MAX 85 Base: Kadena Air Base State: Okinawa Country: Japan (JPN)

U.S. Army Colonel Bryan Logan, 502d Air Base Wing Vice Commander, steps off of a C-5M Super Galaxy, April 20, 2022 at Robert Gray Army Airfield, Fort Hood, Texas. Members from the 68th AS flew from Kelly Field to Fort Hood to pick up static displays for the Great Texas Airshow.

U.S. Air Force service members recover a B-1B Lancer, assigned to the 28th Bomb Wing at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., after it returns from a long-duration CONUS-to-CONUS (C2C) mission to the Indo-Pacific Aug. 20, 2022. C2C missions support National Defense Strategy objectives of strategic predictability and operational unpredictability through the speed, flexibility and readiness of our strategic bombers.

U.S. Airmen refuel a C-130J Hercules from the 115th Airlift Squadron, California Air National Guard, before firefighting operations at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, April 18, 2011. The C-130 is equipped with the Modular Airborne Firefighting System(MAFFS) which is capable of dispensing 3,000 gallons of water or fire retardant in under 5 seconds.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jackson Elliott, 86th Vehicle Readiness Squadron ground transportation support operator, looks back on his role during Operation Allies Welcome at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Sept. 16, 2022. Elliott spent countless hours aiding the transportation of thousands of evacuees during OAW.

A left rear view of an AC-130A Hercules aircraft taking off. Five remaining AC-130As of the 16th Special Operations Squadron are being redeployed from Thailand to the United States. Base: Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base Country: Thailand (THA)

U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 366th Fighter Wing and personnel assigned to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, off load cargo from a C-17 Globemaster III, assigned to the 517th Airlift Squadron, as part of Northern Edge 23-2 on MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, June 28, 2023. NE 23-2 demonstrates the U.S. commitment to the region by building interoperability with our allies and partners and ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

030304-F-9032T-003. State: District Of Columbia (DC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

040223-F-5646C-012. Base: RAF Fairford State: Gloucestershire Country: England / Great Britain (ENG) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

011013-F-4406B-001. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Naval Air Station, Sigonella State: Sicily Country: Italy (ITA) Scene Major Command Shown: AMC

A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the 69th Bomb Squadron idles on the flight line at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, Feb. 28, 2024. The B-52 has been in service for over 60 years, and is expected to serve into the 2050s through modern upgrades. Air Force

041109-F-9629J-106. Base: Little Rock State: Arkansas (AR) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 317th Airlift Wing at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, takes off past an E-3 assigned to the 552nd Air Control Wing at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, during RED FLAG-Alaska 23-1 at 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.

030311-F-1698M-004. Base: Lajes Field Country: Azores (AZR) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

Two C-130 Hercules aircraft from the 182nd Airlift Wing are brought in by the transient alert team at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan, on June 28, 2022. The aircraft and crew from the Illinois Air National Guard picked up cargo and personnel to deliver to K.I. Sawyer International Airport in Michigans Upper Peninsula as part of exercise Northern Agility 22-1. NA 22-1 exercises Agile Combat Employment, a universal application to U.S. Air Force operations that enables Airmen to deliver air power anytime, anywhere to complicate an adversarys decision making.

Alaska National Guard Soldiers and Airmen of Joint Task Force-Nome offload a C-17 Globemaster III as part of Operation Merbok Response in Nome, Alaska, Sept. 21, 2022. More than 130 members of the Alaska Organized Militia, which includes members of the Alaska National Guard, Alaska State Defense Force and Alaska Naval Militia, were activated following a disaster declaration issued Sept. 17 after the remnants of Typhoon Merbok caused dramatic flooding across more than 1,000 miles of Alaskan coastline. (Alaska Army National Guard photo by Pfc. Bradford Jackson)

405th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron and 386th Expeditionary Medical Squadron Airmen train on how to safely move patients from an ambus to a C-130J Super Hercules during an exercise at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, Oct. 31, 2022. The ambus is a converted bus that is used to transfer multiple patients to a higher echelon of care during a contingent situation.

U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 49th Wing prepare to board a C-17 Globemaster III headed to Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022,June 22, 2022, at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. Twenty-six nations, 38 ships, four 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 worlds 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 worlds oceans. RIMPAC 2022 is the 28th exercise in the series that began in 1971.

An "Elephant Walk," comprising of 12 KC-10 Extenders and six C-17 Globemaster IIIs from the 305th Air Mobility Wing, was held Nov. 21, 2013, as part of a training exercise at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. The exercise enabled aircrew, maintenance, command post and operational support personnel to test their ability to launch a mass amount of aircraft in support of real-world operations. An elephant walk is a nose-to-tail taxi formation.

030625-F-5586B-003. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Baghdad International Airport Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: AMC

A C-130J Hercules taxies in after landing at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.

Heat waves shimmer behind a C-5M Super Galaxy from the 436th Airlift Wing as a crew from the 9th Airlift Squadron conducts aircrew proficiency training Nov. 4, 2013, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. The C-5M is the upgraded version of the venerable and long-serving C-5 Galaxy.

DF-ST-88-06798. Base: Marine Corps Air Station,Iwakuni Country: Japan (JPN)

Right side front view medium shot as a C-17A Globemaster III from the 437th Airlift Wing, at Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina, departing from Hoedspruit AFB, South Africa, after delivering cargo and personnel (equipment and personnel not shown) to aid in the distribution of relief supplies in Mozambique for "Operation Atlas Response.". Subject Operation/Series: ATLAS RESPONSE Base: Hoedspruit Air Force Base Country: South Africa (ZAF)

Two KC-135R Stratotankers belonging to the 117th Air Refueling Wing are parked on the flightline Nov. 5, 2022, at Sumpter Smith Joint National Guard Base, Alabama. The 117 ARW trains and equips combat ready aircrews and support personnel to perform worldwide aerial refueling and airlift missions.

KC-135Rs from the 151st Wing take off from Roland R. Wright Air National Guard Base during Exercise PERSES on Feb. 3, 2024. The joint exercise challenges the tactics, techniques, and procedures of both Utah Air and Army National Guard units along with other component units, while testing innovative ideas and communication practices. (Utah Air National Guard

C-17s flown by the New York Air National Guards 105th Airlift Wing wait on the tarmac at a Brazilian Air Force Base in Campo Grande, Brazil on August 20, 2022 after ferrying Airmen and HH-60 Pave Hawk rescue helicopters from the New York Air National Guards 106th Rescue Wing from Long Island to Brazil. The Airmen were in Brazil to participate in Exercise Tapio, a combined Brazilian- U.S. irregular warfare exercise in Campo Grade, Brazil. The New York Air National Guard dispatched 100 Airmen from the two wings to participate as part of the State Partnership Program relationship with Brazil,

040828-F-9209C-003. Base: Tampa State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

030322-F-7194F-001. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Country: Unknown Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

041202-F-9126G-024. Base: Unknown

Airmen from the 154th Wing, Hawaii Air National Guard, perform routine post-flight maintenance on a KC-135 Stratotanker after an air refueling mission March 22, 2012, at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.

Airmen with the Air Force Reserve Command aircrew for a C-17 Globemaster III work with Soldiers with the 1st Battalion, 147th Aviation Regiment (1-147) of the Wisconsin National Guard on loading and unloading UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters June 10 at Sparta-Fort McCoy Airport at Fort McCoy. The 1-147th was set up with numerous Black Hawks and support equipment and personnel at the Sparta-Fort McCoy Airport throughout the first two weeks of June for annual training. The 1-147th and its UH-60s regularly support training operations at Fort McCoy as well as supporting distinguished visitor flying operations. Photo by Kevin Clark/Fort McCoy Multimedia-Visual Information Office

The last C-130H Hercules prepares to depart from the 179th Airlift Wing at Mansfield Lahm ANGB, Ohio, July 7, 2022. This aircraft, tail 88-4401, will retire and become a static display at the MAPS Air Museum (Military Aviation Preservation Society), an internationally known museum of aviation in North Canton, Ohio. After being selected to become the nation's first Air National Guard Cyber Wing, the unit is transitioning from flying the C-130H Hercules to a new mission assigned to Air Combat Command.

U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III pilots step into their aircraft prior to a proficiency mission on Joint Base Charleston, S.C., June 8, 2022. The aircrew performed low-level, assault landings, and touch and go maneuvers in South Carolina to sharpen their mission readiness.

Members from the 143d Airlift Wing Operations Squadron, Rhode Island Air National Guard perform a preflight inspection before takeoff, Jan. 23, 2022, Jacksonville, Fla. During preflight inspections, aircrew members examine the exterior and interior of aircraft, checking for discrepancies and ensuring serviceability. (U.S. Air National Guard photos by Senior Airman Brittni Capozzi)

A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft assigned to the 100th Air Refueling Wing sits on the flightline during sunset on Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, June 30, 2022. The KC-135 enhances the U.S. Air Forces ability to accomplish its primary mission of global reach.

A AC-130J Ghostrider gunship sits parked on the flight line at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Nov. 15, 2022. The gunships primary mission is close air support and air interdiction during collateral missions.

Twelve Air Force KC-135 Stratotankers, from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, taxi onto the runway during Exercise Forceful Tiger on Kadena Air Base, Japan, April 1, 2015. During the aerial exercise, the Stratotankers delivered 800,000 pounds of fuel to approximately 50 aircraft.

040309-F-5646C-006. Base: RAF Fairford State: Gloucestershire Country: England / Great Britain (ENG)

Cadets board a C-130J Hercules during the Louisiana Civil Air Patrol Encampment at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, June 28, 2023. More than 50 cadets attended the Encampment from June 20-30.

A HH-60G Pavehawk Helicopter and personnel assigned to the 48th Rescue Squadron, Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, are off-loaded from a C-5 Galaxy, assigned to the 436th Airlift Wing, Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, at the Kuwait International Airport, Kuwait, in support of Operation DESERT FOCUS. The members of the 48th Rescue Squadron are deployed to Kuwait to respond in the event any US airmen are downed in the region. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT FOCUS Base: Kuwait City Country: Kuwait (KWT)

060325-A-4339E-010. Subject Operation/Series: FOAL EAGLE Base: Daegu Air Base State: Dageu Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR) Scene Major Command Shown: 2ND ACR

U. S. Air Force C-130 from the 182nd Airlift Wing, Air National Guard Base, Peoria, Illinois, perform Agile Combat Employment (ACE) training while landing after conducting flight operations during Agile Rage 22, Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, Mich., June 16, 2022. ACE is not a specific mission, but a universal application to all combat air force operations. ACE is the ability to project combat power anytime, anywhere, while remaining operationally unpredictable to complicate an adversary's decision making process.

041029-F-9208L-076. Base: Minot Air Force Base State: North Dakota (ND) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A C-17 Globemaster III aircraft assigned to the 167th Airlift Wing, West Virginia Air National Guard, arrives at Amari Air Base, carrying cargo and passengers supporting the Defender 22 exercise, May 16, 2022, in Harjumaa, Estonia. DEFENDER-Europe 22 is a multinational training exercise designed to demonstrate USAREUR-AFs ability to aggregate US-based combat power quickly in Eastern Europe across multiple theaters in support of NATO and the National Defense Strategy as well as to leverage host nations capabilities to increase USAREUR-AFs operational reach.

C-17 Globemaster III aircraft assigned to the 911th Airlift Wing sit on the flight line at the Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station, Pennsylvania, Aug. 8, 2022. The C-17 is capable of rapid strategic delivery of troops and all types of cargo to main operating bases or directly to forward bases in the deployment area.

Four B-52H Stratofortress aircraft sit on the flightline on July 7, 2022, at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota. The B-52H is a long-range heavy bomber, capable of carrying up to 20 air-launched cruise missiles.

Senior Airman William Colbert, a 20th Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief, marshals a B-52H Stratofortress on the flight line at the Chennault International Airport during an Agile Combat Employment readiness exercise June 24, 2022 in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The B-52H Stratofortress is a long-range, nuclear and conventional heavy bomber that can perform a variety of missions.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Charles P. Higley, center, crew chief, 5th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron, supervises an aircraft refueling of a C-5 Super Galaxy aircraft at Cargo City, Kuwait, June 13, 2022. Crew chiefs ensure that every component of these high-performance aircraft is maintained to standard. These experts ensure that the aircraft in their care are ready to fly at a moments notice so that pilots can safely and effectively complete their mission.

Left rear view of the tail section of a C-141B Starlifter aircraft as Navy Personnel down load Marine equipment. The aircraft carried the first Marines (33) to Guantanamo Bay in support of the recent problems in Haiti. Base: Guantanamo Bay Country: Cuba (CUB)

Right side view of a Royal Australian Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft carrying support personnel and equipment for Exercise Cope Thunder. Subject Operation/Series: COPE THUNDER Base: Clark Air Base State: Luzon Country: Philippines (PHL)

Airmen with the 182nd Maintenance Group headquarters element, Illinois Air National Guard, pose for a group photo with a C-130H Hercules at the 182nd Airlift Wing, Peoria, Illinois, Nov. 6, 2022. The wing celebrated its 75th anniversary with a specialized Hercules tail flash.

Master Sgt. Zac Michalski and Tech. Sgt. Mark Dulworth change a tire of a C-130H Hercules on the flightline Nov. 2, 2016, at the 179th Airlift Wing, Mansfield, Ohio. The Ohio Air National Guard unit is always on mission to respond with highly qualified citizen airmen to execute Federal, State and community missions.

Airmen with the 182nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Illinois Air National Guard, pose for a group photo with a C-130H Hercules at the 182nd Airlift Wing, Peoria, Illinois, Nov. 6, 2022. The wing celebrated its 75th anniversary with a specialized Hercules tail flash.

Aircrew on a U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 143rd Airlift Wing at Quonset Point Air National Guard Station, Rhode Island, prepare to offload medical supplies at Baucau City Airport, Timor-Leste, Sept. 11, 2022, in support of Pacific Angel 22-4. The operation is scheduled for Sept.12-17 and will focus on capacity building through health services outreach, engineering civic action program construction projects and subject matter expert exchanges.The Indo-Pacific Command sponsors Pacific Angel to promote interoperability and demonstrate Department of Defense support capabilities for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief events by conducting global medical outreach and enhancing regional partnerships.

Two U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotankers from MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, park on the Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, flightline, Sept. 26, 2022. MacDill began HURCON level 3 and evacuated personnel living in the affected area.

DF-ST-87-13150. Base: Zaragosa Air Base Country: Spain (ESP)

The 155th Air Refueling Wing's KC-135R Stratotanker's practice taxiing on the runways, May 15, 2022, at the Lincoln Air Force Base, Neb. The 155th ARW displayed their readiness by conducting fast response scenarios.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Tristian Acosta, 312th Airlift Squadron C-5M Super Galaxy engineer, observes as aircrew lift the front ramp of the C-5M during Exercise Dragon Spark at Travis Air Force Base, California, Oct. 14, 2022. Exercise Dragon Spark provided units from the 60th Air Mobility Wing and the 621st Contingency Response Wing an opportunity to sync operations in preparation for a national disaster.

U.S. Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152 and 3d Marine Division load equipment onto a U.S. Marine Corps KC-130J Super Hercules during an Alert Contingency Marine Air-Ground Task Force drill on Okinawa, Japan, initiating the deployment of the divisions Forward Command Element participating in KAMANDAG 6 in the Philippines, Sept. 27, 2022. KAMANDAG is an annual bilateral exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military designed to strengthen interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences.

A C-5M Super Galaxy sits on jacks during a number three main landing gear strut repack at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, Oct. 6, 2022. Hydraulic system maintainers assigned to the 436th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron removed and replaced internal seals as part of the repack procedure.

A U.S. Air Force C-5C Super Galaxy taxis on the flight line at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, Oct. 16, 2022. An aircrew with the 22nd Airlift Squadron, Travis Air Force Base, California, transported an international satellite as part of the Surface Water and Ocean Topography mission.

221014-N-KY668-1004NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, Fla. - (Oct. 14, 2022) - An MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) assigned to Unmanned Patrol Squadron 19 (VUP-19), lands at Naval Station Mayport, Florida, Oct. 14, 2022. VUP-19, the Navys first Triton squadron, will continue to maintain and operate the aircraft off the East Coast to further develop the concept of operations and refine tactics, techniques, and procedures.

A C-17 Globemaster Flies Above a KC-135 Aerial Refueling Tanker

A Modular Airborne Firefighting Systems (MAFFS) equipped C-130H Hercules aircraft from the Nevada Air National Guards 152nd Airlift Wing prepares to be launched on a fire suppression mission at the 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.

040715-F-6470S-004. Base: Andersen Air Base State: Guam (GU) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

050201-F-2021H-003. Base: Ellsworth Air Force Base State: South Dakota (SD) Country: United States Of America (USA)

030115-F-7203T-012. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Bagram Air Base State: Parwan Country: Afghanistan (AFG)

A U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber lands at Cairo West airport during BRIGHT STAR '83, the joint U.S. and Egyptian military training exercise. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Subject Operation/Series: BRIGHT STAR '83 Country: Egypt (EGY)

A member of the transit alert crew marshals in a C-5 arriving at the air base. The aircraft carries troops and supplies participating in the exercise.(Exact date unknown). Subject Operation/Series: FOAL EAGLE '93 Base: Osan Air Base Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III from Joint Base Lewis McChord unloads cargo and Airmen participating in the Raging Gunfighter exercise at Hill Air Force Base, Utah May 17, 2022. Raging Gunfighter is an Air Combat Command exercise designed to simulate operating a Lead Wing from an Austere Environment. The purpose of this exercise is to prepare the 366th Fighter Wing for potential Agile Combat Employment (ACE) operations around the world.

An E3-A Sentry aircraft from the 552nd Airborne Warning and Control Squadron rests on the flight line during Exercise Shadow Hawk '87, a phase of Bright Star '87. The U.S. Central Command exercise represents a Joint Chiefs of STAFF effort to evaluate proc. Subject Operation/Series: SHADOW HAWK '87BRIGHT STAR '87 Base: Azraq Air Base Country: Jordan (JOR)

MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, Hawaii (August 1, 2022) A U.S. Marine Corps High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) debarks a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster during an amphibious raid for a multinational littoral operations exercise as part of Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022, August, 1. 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.

A C17 Globemaster III Aircraft from 86AW/37th Airlift Squadron bearing Paratroopers assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade, prepares to depart Aviano Air Base, in Pordenone, Italy Sept. 7, 2022 for an airborne operation onto Hohenfels Drop Zone, Germany as part of Exercise Saber Junction 22. Saber Junction 22 is a multinational rotational exercise designed to assess the readiness of the U.S. Armys 173rd Airborne Brigade to execute unified land operations in a joint, combined environment and to promote interoperability with more than 4,500 participants from the U.S. and Allied and partner nations at the U.S. Armys Grafenwoehr and Hohenfels training areas from August 29 to September 20, 2022.

Ground crews of the 305th Rescue Squadron, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, position a MH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter and attach a winch cable prior to loading it into the C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. Base: Davis-Monthan Air Force Base State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA)

C-17 Globemaster IIIs assigned to the 911th Airlift Wing sit on the flightline at the Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station, Pennsylvania, Jan. 18, 2024. The C-17 is capable of rapid strategic delivery of troops and all types of cargo to main operating bases or directly to forward bases in the deployment area.

050109-F-3476P-003. Base: Kadena Air Base State: Okinawa Country: Japan (JPN)

U.S. Air Force aerial porters prepare to load cargo onto a C-17 Globemaster III assigned to the 3rd Wing, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, on Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, April 7, 2022. Polar Force 22-4 was led by the 3rd Wing and was designed to hone in on strategies used by service members when navigating adverse situations and austere environments.

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