Military Airlift Operations

Images depict military aircraft, primarily C-17 Globemaster III, with personnel loading cargo such as Humvees. The scenes capture various bases and aircraft during operational activities.

Airmen with the 21st Airlift Squadron and Marines assigned to 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, prepare to load a Humvee and trailer into a C-17 Globemaster III Jan. 25, 2022, at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. Loadmasters with the 21st AS onloaded around 500,000 pounds of cargo during the joint training mission. The joint training exercise High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), Rapid Aerial Insertion (HIRAIN) allowed Marines to exercise projecting rockets and missiles deep into the battlefield. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexander Merchak)

Airmen with the 21st Airlift Squadron and Marines assigned to 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, prepare to load a Humvee and trailer into a C-17 Globemaster III Jan. 25, 2022, at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. Loadmasters with the 21st AS onloaded around 500,000 pounds of cargo during the joint training mission. The joint training exercise High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), Rapid Aerial Insertion (HIRAIN) allowed Marines to exercise projecting rockets and missiles deep into the battlefield. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexander Merchak)

020329-F-2902B-008. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Rhein-Main Air Base Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU) Scene Major Command Shown: Air Mobility Command

040222-F-5040D-100. Base: Andersen Air Base State: Guam (GU) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: PACAF

Airmen with the 137th Special Operations Logistics Readiness Squadron (SOLRS), Oklahoma National Guard, work to load and refuel a C-17 Globemaster III while the 137th Fire Emergency Services team stands ready on the flightline of Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, Oklahoma City, Oct. 13, 2022. The 137th SOLRS received assistance from a team of Airmen with the 321st Contingency Response Squadron, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, while conducting passenger and cargo movement and also worked alongside Joint Base Charleston active and Reserve aircrew to complete the operation.

010921-F-3573Z-004. Base: Ramstein Air Base State: Rheinland-Pfalz Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

041021-F-9429S-021. Subject Operation/Series: CRISIS OUTLOOK 2004 Base: Phelps-Collins Angb, Alpena State: Michigan (MI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

030917-F-1663P-001. Base: Dover Air Force Base State: Delaware (DE) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: AMC

011004-F-9631D-001. Subject Operation/Series: DEEP FREEZE 2001-2002. Base: Christchurch State: Canterbury Country: New Zealand (NZL)

011114-F-5067Z-033. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Country: Unknown Scene Major Command Shown: CENTAF

A 16th Airlift Squadron C-17 Globemaster III is prepared for a nose art unveil ceremony on the flightline at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, May 6, 2022. The 16th AS began flying the C-17 in 2002.

In support of Operation SWA Buildup, a C-5 Galaxy from Travis AFB, California, arrives carrying equipment from the 437th Aircraft Generation Squadron, Charleston AFB, South Carolina and for the deployed Tanker Airlift Control Element. A K-Loader pulls in to offload the C-5 at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia. Base: Hunter Army Air Field State: Georgia (GA) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: AMC

A U.S. Air Force C-5 Galaxy from the 60th Air Mobility Wing at Travis Air Force Base, C.A., is taxied in by Airman 1st Class Christopher Cramer as it arrives at the 2011 RODEO on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, W.A., July 23. RODEO is the U.S. Air Force's and AMC'c premier international combat skill and flying operations competition designed to develop and improve techniques, procedures, and interoperability, while optimizing international mobility partnerships and enhancing mobility operations.

A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III airplane attached to 204th Airlift Squadron sits on the flight line while being unloaded by U.S. Marines on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 27, 2022. The C-17 carried two U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z viper helicopters assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369 from Hawaii to Okinawa, Japan as part of a routine effort to rotate aircraft in and out of Japan to lower maintenance problems and to train interoperability with the heavy lift capabilities of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Justin J. Marty)

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.

A U.S. Marine Corps CH-53K King Stallion, assigned to Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron One (VMX-1), is transported onto an Air Force C-17 Globemaster, assigned to 16th Air Lift Squadron, at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, June 14, 2022. The CH-53K was recently declared initial operating capable (IOC), a critical milestone in improving capabilities and restructuring Marine Corps aviation for the future fight.

U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 88th Operations Support Squadron at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, provides support to 1st Special Operations Wing as they arrive Sept. 27, 2022, from Hurlburt Field, Florida. Aircraft, equipment and Airmen evacuate to find safety from Hurricane Ian.

020807-F-0007M-008. Subject Operation/Series: PHOENIX READINESS 2002 Base: Lakehurst Naes State: New Jersey (NJ) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Members of the 509th Bomb Wing Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and 509th Logistics Readiness Squadron refuel a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber during Exercise Agile Tiger on Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, April 4, 2022. Exercise Agile Tiger was a 509th-led interoperability training exercise which combined and honed the skills of active duty, guard, and reserve U.S. Military Forces to ensure combat-readiness.

A front view of a B-52 Stratofortress aircraft undergoing last-minute maintenance for an alert mission. Base: Grand Forks Air Force Base State: North Dakota (ND) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DN-SC-85-06286. Subject Operation/Series: INTENSE LOOK Base: Norfolk State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

041021-F-9429S-008. Subject Operation/Series: CRISIS OUTLOOK 2004 Base: Phelps-Collins Angb, Alpena State: Michigan (MI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

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.

US Air Force C-141 Starlifter aircraft from the 305th and 514th Air Mobility Wing, McGuire AFB, New Jersey line up for takeoff for an eleven ship air drop. Aircrews from McGuire AFB are conducting training flying formation heavy equipment air dorps. Base: Mcguire Air Force Base State: New Jersey (NJ) Country: United States Of America (USA)

5th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Airmen work quickly to prepare B-52Hs for inclement weather conditions. The 5AMX squadron The B-52 is capable of dropping or launching the widest array of weapons in the U.S. inventory.

Service members participate in a joint force exercise on Sept. 8, 2022 at Dugway Proving Ground, Utah. The exercise provided an opportunity for cross-platform familiarization training for fuels and crew chiefs who were able to get first-hand experience with multiple platforms they usually would not obtain at their home station.

020326-F-8115W-002. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Moron Air Base State: Sevilla Country: Spain (ESP) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

Guardsmen with the Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin and Main Air National Guard train on installing a Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasure System (LAIRCM) on a KC-135 aircraft at the 171st Air Refueling Wing near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Sept. 8, 2022. The defensive system uses an infrared laser to protect against missile threats.

Guardsmen with the Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin and Main Air National Guard train on installing a Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasure System (LAIRCM) on a KC-135 aircraft at the 171st Air Refueling Wing near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Sept. 8, 2022. The defensive system uses an infrared laser to protect against missile threats.

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

050105-F-9429S-004. Base: Karshni-Khanabad Air Base Country: Uzbekistan (UZB)

040727-F-0007M-003. Base: Mcguire Air Force Base State: New Jersey (NJ) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A B-52H Stratofortress is loaded with AGM-86B Air-Launch Cruise Missiles during Prairie Vigilance, an exercise conducted by the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, Sept. 16, 2022. The ALCMs are unloaded from the aircraft prior to their take-off. Prairie Vigilance tests the 5th BWs ability to conduct strategic-bomber readiness operations.

U.S. Air Force 336th Air Refueling Squadron photo at March Air Reserve Base, California June 07, 2022. The 336th ARS is the first Air Force Reserve flying unit to fly the KC-135 Stratotanker. The 336th maintains round the clock readiness support to March Air Reserve Base and Air Mobility Command's airlift and air refueling requirements.

Members from the 151st Wing prepare the KC-135R to depart 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

A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron taxis before take off at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, from a routine Bomber Task Force mission, Feb. 24, 2024. The Department of Defense remains fully committed to defense and deterrence of any actors that would look to undermine or threaten our shared interests. Air Force

040721-F-3488S-003. Base: Eielson Air Force Base State: Alaska (AK) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A 127th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron weapons load crew performs a stray voltage check prior to loading AGR-20 APKWS (Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System) laser-guided rockets on the A-10C Thunderbolt II at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan, on Aug. 23, 2022. These advanced components allow the conversion of an unguided rocket to become a smart laser guided weapon. Aircraft armament personnel are responsible for maintaining, testing and troubleshooting all aspects of the A-10s weapons system and its associated support equipment.

An HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter is loaded into the back of a C-17 Globemaster aircraft at Patrick Space Force Base, Florida, Sept. 26, 2022, in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Ian. The decision was made to relocate the aircraft to areas that would prevent them from being damaged. In less than 24-hours, all of the wing's HC-130J Combat King II aircraft and HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters were prepared, pre-flight checked, then flown or loaded to be transported off of the installation. This movement was the equivalent of a rapid deployment of the wing's Personnel Recovery Task Force-Heavy, which utilizes multi-capable Airmen from across the wing to mobilize rapidly for rescue operations around the world.

A C-17 Globemaster III waits on the flightline after offloading cargo to be processed by 621st Cotningency Response Wing Airmen deployed in eastern Europe, April 29, 2022. The 621st Contingency Response Wing is highly-specialized in training and rapidly deploying personnel to quickly open airfields and establish, expand, sustain, and coordinate air mobility operations.

A fuel hose is connected to C-130 Hercules aircraft to offload fuel during Operation Urgent Fury. Subject Operation/Series: URGENT FURY Base: Point Salines Airport Country: Grenada (GRD)

KC-135E tankers from the 146th Air Refueling Squadron, 171st Air Refueling Wing, Pennsylvania Air National Guard-Pittsburgh on the ramp at Midland International Airport awaiting more missions as part of Roving Sands '96, the US military's largest annual joint air defense training exercise. Subject Operation/Series: ROVING SANDS '96 Base: Midland International Airport State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

The 151st Air Refueling Wing and ESGR brought approximately 20 employers on an appreciation air refueling mission here on August 17, 2022. The employers, nominated by their Air National Guard employees, boarded a KC-135R Stratotanker, and witnessed the refueling of three F-16 Falcons and four F-35 Lightings while taking in an aerial view of Utahs West desert.

U.S. Air Force aerial porters prepare to leave the flight line after loading 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. This was the first Polar Force to be led by the 3rd Wing, with the primary focus on developing Agile Combat Employment and U.S. Pacific Air Forces ability to fight a contested, anti-access area denial environment. Operationalizing readiness-enhancing concepts like ACE is critical to ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific.

011005-F-5171M-028. Base: Minneapolis-St Paul Iap/Ars State: Minnesota (MN) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: AMC

The tail section is visible on a C-17 Globemaster III from the 17th Airlift Squadron, Charleston AFB SC. A front view of a C-5 Galaxy in the background from Dover AFB Delaware waits to be down loaded after landing at Roswell Industrial Air Center. Subject Operation/Series: ROVING SANDS 95 Base: Roswell State: New Mexico (NM) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 437th Airlift Wing and 509th Bomb Wing load equipment on to C-17 Globemaster III at Whiteman Air Force Base Missouri on Nov. 30th, 2022. This Air Force Generation certification event showcased the 15th Airlift Squadrons ability to deploy as a force element composed of multi-capable Airmen.

U.S. Air Force Airmen perform routine maintenance on a U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Nov. 10, 2022. The F-16 is a compact, multi-role fighter aircraft capable of providing combat airpower for the United States and allied nations.

Members of the 82nd Airborne Division are loaded into C-141 Starlifter aircrafts on a ramp at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point North Carolina. The C-141's are from various active and reserve squadrons participating in the a personnel drop during Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFX) 98-1. Members of the 82nd Airborne Division are loaded into C-141 Starlifter aircrafts on a ramp at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point North Carolina. The C-141's are from various active and reserve squadrons participating in the a personnel drop during Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFX) 98-1.

B-52 Stratofortress US Air Force

A U.S. Air Force KC-46A Pegasus, top center, rolls past a KC-10 Extender at Travis Air Force Base, California, April 12, 2022. Ten KC-46A Pegasus tankers and eight KC-135RT Stratotankers were relocated to Travis AFB from McConnell AFB as a precaution due to the possibility of severe weather impacting the Wichita area.

U.S. Air Force Airmen with the 914th Air Refueling Wing, NY, prepare a KC-135 Stratotanker for takeoff August 29, 2022 on the flightline at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The Stratotanker and crew were on a temporary deployment to support the Pacific Air Forces with refueling capabilities.

The C-5 Galaxy from the Air Force Reserve Command's, 433rd Airlift Wing, Kelly Air Force Base, Texas is offloaded of U.S. Army vehicles at Salina Airport, Kan. The C-5 is participating in Patriot Express '95 a 4th Air Force, Air Force Reserve exercise. Subject Operation/Series: PATRIOT EXPRESS '95COOPERATE NUGGET Base: Salina Airport State: Kansas (KS) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Juan Marin, 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, inspects a C-17 Globemaster III at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, Oct. 1, 2022, following Hurricane Ian. To carry on the rapid global mobility mission, all of Team Charlestons C-17s were secured in a hangar or relocated 72 hours prior to the Category 1 Hurricanes landfall.

Aerial porters from the 621st Contingency Response Wing guide an articulated forklift from a C-17 Globemaster III during a nighttime engine-running offload at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. The Pleiades are directly overhead. (Photo by Tech. Sgt. Parker Gyokeres)

KC-135 Stratotankers from the 134th Air Refueling Wing performs minimum interval takeoffs during an exercise on McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Knoxville, TN April 2, 2023. Pilots and air crews conducted response time exercises during April drill to maintain mission readiness.

View of the flight line showing Air Mobility Command C-5 Galaxy aircraft used to support the humanitarian airlift of food and supplies to the refugees of the Rwandan civil war. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Subject Operation/Series: SUPPORT HOPE Base: Rhein-Main Air Base Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)

A U.S. Air Force KC-46 Pegasus with the 157th Air Refueling Wing, New Hampshire Air National Guard, sits on the flightline May 11, 2022, at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia. Three air refueling units from across the Air National Guard provided in-flight refueling in support of Sentry Savannah 2022, the ANGs premier counter air exercise which encompasses 10 units of fourth and fifth generation fighter aircraft, tests the capabilities of our warfighters in a simulated near-peer environment and trains the next generation of fighter pilots for tomorrows fight.

A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress bomber assigned to the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron taxies before take off at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, as part of a routine Bomber Task Force mission, Feb. 5, 2024. Bomber missions enable crews to maintain a high state of readiness and proficiency and validate our always-ready global strike capability. Air Force

A pair of R-11 fuel trucks refuel a C-17A Globemaster III on the ramp at Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella, Italy, during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. In response to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 at the New York World Trade Center and the Pentagon, President George W. Bush initiated Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in support of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT), fighting terrorism abroad. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Naval Air Station, Sigonella State: Sicily Country: Italy (ITA) Scene Major Command Shown: AMC

040901-F-1601R-001. Base: Mcchord Air Force Base State: Washington (WA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A U.S. Army satellite transportable terminal, towed by an M1165A1 multi-purpose tactical wheeled vehicle, drives out of a Air Force C-17 Globemaster aircraft assigned to the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, upon arriving to Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, May 16, 2022. The 36th Sustainment Brigade was executing the first ever fly-away TAC package in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. This movement supports the theater optimization strategic plan of the 1st Theater Sustainment Command, to provide ability of command and control in a tactical environment for coalition forces. The fly-away kit included a deployable rapid assembly shelter, satellite transportable terminal and 10k generator, all transported by a series of multi-purpose tactical wheeled vehicles.

U.S Air Force reservists from Travis Air Force Base, Army National Guard members from Fairfield, and U.S. Airmen with the 129th Rescue Wing are participating in Exercise Nexus Rising, Moffett Federal Airfield, Calif., June 3-5, 2022. Nexus Rising is a readiness exercise designed to test the ability of the 349th Air Mobility Wing to generate, employ and sustain air operations in a simulated combat environment. Missions in NEXUS RISING include air rescue, aeromedical evacuation, airlift for cargo and personnel, aerial refueling deployment processing, aerial port operations, and command and control.

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Michael Trey Rawls, commander of Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, visited the 33rd Fighter Wing to assess the F-35A Lightning IIs ability to meet operational requirements at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, Sept. 23, 2022. As commander of AFOTEC, Rawls is responsible for the assessment of new capabilities, weapons, software and weapons system support in an operationally representative environment.

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

U.S. Marines with 1st Landing Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force work with Airmen from the 22nd Airlift Squadron, 60th Operations Group, 60th Air Mobility Wing to on-load a Mac 50 all-terrain crane onto a C5-M Super Galaxy at Columbus Air Force Base, Miss., Oct 30, 2022. Marines from 1st Marine Logistics Group transported the cranes as part of the Service Life Extension Program (SLEP). Over the past two years, the cranes have been modernized with upgraded controls and overhauled engines.

Airmen from the 705th Munitions Squadron load a B-52H Stratofortress with AGM-86B Air-Launch Cruise Missiles during Prairie Vigilance, an exercise conducted by the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, Sept. 16, 2022. The ALCMs are unloaded from the aircraft prior to their take-off. Prairie Vigilance tests the 5th BWs ability to conduct strategic-bomber readiness operations.

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jared Theoy, a loadmaster with the 7th Airlift Squadron, shines his flashlight on a C-17 Globemaster III engine during start-up procedures at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Oct. 7, 2022. Team McChord Airmen are preparing to participate in Exercise RED FLAG-Alaska 23-1 as part of Exercise Rainier War 22B. Rainier War is a semi-annual exercise designed to demonstrate the 62d Airlift Wing, 627th Air Base Group and 446th Airlift Wings ability to generate, employ and sustain operations.

U.S. Airmen assigned to the 9th Airlift Squadron and Lockheed Martin crew members load a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite onto a C-5M Super Galaxy at Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado, Jan. 22, 2024. GOES-U will be able to monitor severe weather, identify volcanic eruptions, measure land and sea surface temperatures, provide early alerts to emergency responders during wildfires and observe solar flares that could impact telecommunication on and around Earth.

A C-17S Globemaster III assigned to the Heavy Airlift Wing out of the Hungarian Defence Forces Pápa Air Base, situated in Western Hungary, allows enthusiasts to walk through the bay at the Royal International Air Tattoo in Faiford, England, July 15, 2022. RIAT allows the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Air Forces in Europe to emphasize our close relationship and Interoperability with nations across Europe and the globe. (U.S. Air Force video by Staff Sgt. Gaspar Cortez)

Maintenance professionals from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA, prepare C-17 Globemaster IIIs for mission operations during exercise Gunfighter Flag 23-1 at Mountain Home Air Force Base, ID, October 18, 2022. The Mountain Home Rang Complex terrain and airspace provides 9,600 miles of unique and challenging training opportunities for the Department of Defense.

An E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS) aircraft assigned to the 116th Air Control Wing, takes off for a Weapons School Integration mission at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Dec. 5, 2022. The U.S. Air Force Weapons School trains tactical experts and leaders to control and exploit air, space and cyber on behalf of the joint force.

Nomads with the 58th Fighter Squadron and 60th Fighter Squadron, 33rd Fighter Wing, take off for Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, from Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, Sept. 27, 2022. Leadership with the 33rd FW directed the repositioning of aircraft to Barksdale AFB, to prepare for possible damaging winds caused by Hurricane Ian.

020105-F-8006R-012. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Country: Unknown Scene Major Command Shown: 405th Air Expeditionary Wing

B-1B Lancer aircraft maintainers assigned to the 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, watch a B-1B Lancer taxi on the flightline at RAAF Base Darwin, NT, Australia, for a Bomber Task Force mission June 20, 2022. Bomber Task Force missions strengthen the collective ability of the U.S. and our allies and partners to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific.

040609-F-7084M-005. Base: Tulsa State: Oklahoma (OK) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC/ANG

U.S. Air Force aircrew members assigned to the 26th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron prepare for a combat airlift mission with an HC-130J Combat King II aircraft at an undisclosed location within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, October 31, 2022. The HC-130J is a rapidly deployable, multi-capable airframe, capable of performing combat search and rescue, aerial refueling, and combat airlift missions within the CENTCOM AOR.

U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons sit on the flightline of the Ohio National Guards 180th Fighter Wing, in the early morning hours, during a large-scale readiness inspection, Aug. 8, 2022, at the base in Swanton, Ohio. 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.

Airmen assigned to the 139th Logistics Readiness Squadrons fuels management office, Missouri Air National Guard, refuel a C-130H Hercules aircraft on Feb. 14, 2024, at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base, St. Joseph, Missouri. Aircrews conducted a 41-hour sortie in which the aircraft engines ran continuously for 45 hours and the aircraft was refueled three times. This type of training enhances the wings warfighting capability by pushing the limits of the aircraft and personnel. Air National Guard

A High Mobility Multi-wheel Vehicle (HUMMV) is downloaded from a C-130 Hercules from the 37th Airlift Squadron, Ramstein AB, Germany, after landing in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina. The vehicle will be used in support of Operation Joint Endeavor. Subject Operation/Series: JOINT ENDEAVOR Base: Sarajevo Country: Bosnia And/I Herzegovina (BIH)

A left side view of an AV-8B Harrier on the flightline. Base: Marine Corps Air Station,Iwakuni Country: Japan (JPN)

Italian Air Force G550 CAEW aircraft on its base at Pratica di Mare, Italy.

NIGERIEN AIR BASE 201, Niger - Members from the Italian Air Force currently stationed at Niamey, Nigerien Air Base 101, Niger, drop off cargo at Nigerien Air Base 201, August 18, 2022. Along with the U.S., France, and Germany, Italy is an invited guest of the government of Niger, each with their own strategic objectives.

A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III, transporting personnel and equipment in support of Valiant Shield 22, lands on Palau, June 10, 2022. Exercises such as Valiant Shield allows the Indo-Pacific Command Joint Forces the opportunity to integrate forces from all branches of service to conduct precise, lethal, and overwhelming multi-axis, multi-domain effects that demonstrate the strength and versatility of the Joint Force and our commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

040814-F-9085B-003. Base: Lakeland State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A KC-135R Stratotanker sits on a deployed base at a forward location, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Country: Unknown Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

A B-52H Stratofortress is prepared for inspection during Exercise Prairie Vigilance, Nov. 4, 2022, at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota. Prairie Vigilance tests the 5th Bomb Wings ability to conduct strategic-bomber readiness operations.

041015-F-9429S-017. Base: Alpena State: Michigan (MI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

130725-F-SI788-336

A KC-46A from the 157th Air Refueling Wing, New Hampshire lands at McGhee Tyson ANG Base, Tennessee. The KC-46A is the next-generation refueling aircraft that the 134th Air Refueling Wing hopes to gain for future missions, to replace the aging KC-135R Stratotanker.

A C-17 Globemaster III waits on the flightline after offloading cargo to be processed by 621st Contingency Response Wing Airmen who are deployed in eastern Europe, May 1, 2022. The 621st CRW recently deployed Airmen as a Contingency Response Element to move resources in support of U.S. European Command operations.

26th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron (ERQS) personnel load a Search and Rescue Tactical Vehicle (SRTV) on an HC-130J Combat King II, at an undisclosed location, Oct. 13, 2022. The ERQS personnel worked to streamline the process for loading an SRTV onto the HC-130J. SRTVs can be airdropped and used to expedite the response in retrieving isolated personnel.

R-11 fuel trucks refuel C-17 Globemaster IIIs, on the ramp at Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella, Italy, to continue their mission. The aircraft will carry troops and cargo to forward locations in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. The fuels cell deployed to NAS Sigonella pumps an average of 287,000 gallons of fuel a day and has pumped over 7,000,000 gallons so far in this operation. Operation ENDURING FREEDOM is in support of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT), fighting terrorism abroad, after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 at the New York World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Naval Air Station, Sigonella State: Sicily Country: Italy (ITA) Scene Major Command Shown: AMC

A maintainer assigned to the 169th Fighter Wing, South Carolina Air National Guard walks along the flight line during exercise Sentry Savannah at the Air Dominance Center in Savannah, Georgia on May 3, 2022. Exercises like Sentry Savannah, not only train and test the counter air capabilities of fighter pilots, but they provide critical experience and training to maintenance Airmen in the rapid employment and recovery of aircraft.

U.S. Air Force SrA. Casey Bernatz, 729th Airlift Squadron crouches for a photo in front of the C-17 Globemaster that he is a load master for at March Air Reserve Base, California June 12, 2022.

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. John McNiece, a C-17 Globemaster III loadmaster assigned to the 300th Airlift Squadron, performs engine start procedures prior to an experimental airlift mission 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.

Bundled crew chiefs from the Iowa Air National Guards 185th Air Refueling Wing based in Sioux City, Iowa install a drogue basket on an icy boom assembly of a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker in Sioux City, Iowa on February 21, 2018. The KC-135 is being configured with the drogue basket in preparation to perform inflight refueling with U.S. Navy F-18 Hornet, fighter aircraft.U.S. Air National Guard

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jacob Januchowski, a security forces response leader with the 914th Security Forces Squadron, New York, stands watch August 2, 2022 on the flightline at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, New York. The 914th SFS provides a safe and secure operating environment on the flightline and base 24/7.

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