Military Aviation Operations

Images of soldiers in cockpit settings aboard military helicopters and aircraft, emphasizing piloting practices and airborne operations in training scenarios.

April 13, 2007 - U.S. Army Officer speaks to a pilot aboard a UH-60A Black Hawk helicopter over Nicaragua during New Horizons-Nicaragua 2007.

Staff Sgt. Brian Burich, 374th Maintenance Squadron repair and reclamation craftsman, left, and Airman 1st Class Mario Tapaha, 374th MXS repair and reclamation journeyman, work on the tail of a C-130J Super Hercules during a Wing Readiness Inspection at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Oct 16, 2022. Whether working in real-world contingencies or participating in readiness trainings, Yokota Airmen are prepared to maintain the rapid airlift mission in any situation.

220714-N-TP544-1196 ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 14, 2022) A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey, attached to the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), idles on the flight deck of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) during night flight operations, July 14, 2022. The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and embarked 22nd MEU, under the command and control of Task Force 61/2, is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied and partner interests.

Pararescueman, US Air Force SENIOR MASTER Sergeant Louis Haack, Pararescue Supervisor for the 129th Rescue Wing, California Air National Guard, Moffett Federal Airfield, Mountain View, California stands inside a MC-130 Combat Shadow aircraft. SMSGT Haack is wearing a full HALO (High Altitude Low Opening) parachute load, demonstrating the amount of equipment that the Pararescueman need to carry and be expert in. The HALO jump system is used when troops are needed to parachute into remote or hostile areas where flying an aircraft is too dangerous or vulnerable to being shot down. The 129th Rescue Wing is one of only three Rescue Wings in the Air National Guard, their mission is to rescue .... Pararescueman, US Air Force Senior Master Sergeant Louis Haack, Pararescue Supervisor for the 129th Rescue Wing, California Air National Guard, Moffett Federal Airfield, Mountain View, California stands inside a MC-130 Combat Shadow aircraft. SMSGT Haack is wearing a full HALO (High Altitude Low Op

USAF personnel assigned to the 36TH Fighter Squadron, dressed in Mission Oriented Protective Posture response level 4 (MOPP-4) gear, recover a wounded litter patient from the flight line after a simulated attack during the Initial Response Readiness Exercise/Combat Employment Readiness Exercise (IRRE/CERE) at Osan AB, Korea. Base: Osan Air Base Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

A special tactics operator from the 24th Special Operations Wing jumps out of the back of an MC-130H Combat Talon II, Hurlburt Field, Fla., April 19, 2019. The 24th SOW is the Air Forces only special tactics wing and U.S. Special Operations Commands tactical air-to-ground integration force and the Air Forces special operations ground force to enable global access, precision strike, personnel recovery and battlefield surgery operations.

041015-F-7169B-004. Base: Fort Richardson State: Alaska (AK) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Humvees from the 82nd Airborne Division are airdropped from a C-17 Globemaster III Oct. 27, 2015, over Netherlands during a joint operation access exercise. The 82nd ABD is stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C., and is training as part of the global response force.

020411-A-9510S-013. Country: Unknown Scene Major Command Shown: USSOUTHCOM

U.S. Air Force maintainers assigned to the 718th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan, marshall a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan, during RED FLAG-Alaska 22-1 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, May 3, 2022. Approximately 2,200 service members from the U.S., Great Britain and Canada are expected to fly, maintain and support more than 90 aircraft from over 25 units during this iteration of the exercise.

040303-F-2828D-071. Country: Unknown

000510-F-5697C-026. Subject Operation/Series: COBRA GOLD 2000 Base: Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base Country: Thailand (THA)

SAN CLEMENTE ISLAND, California (July 9, 2022) - U.S. Navy Sailors with Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) 81, Assault Craft Unit 5 secure Light Armored Vehicles onto LCAC 81, July 9. The 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit is currently embarked aboard the Anchorage, conducting routine operations in U.S. 3rd Fleet.

Military pilot uniform with aircraft in background

110329-N-WJ771-174 PACIFIC OCEAN (March 29, 2011) Marines position humanitarian assistance and disaster relief supplies on the flight deck of the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). Essex, with the embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, is currently operating off the coast of Kesennuma in northeastern Japan in support of Operation Tomodachi.

A U.S. Navy sailor jumps out the door of a 1st Special Operations Squadron MC-130J Commando II during joint training over the coast of Japan, Aug. 5, 2022. Joint training helps sister branches clarify communication and expectations, creating a more cohesive and well rounded source of defense in the Indo-Pacific Region.

Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Joseph Perez from the 146th Maintenance Squadron inspects the propeller of a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft at Gowen Field, Idaho, April 20, 2017. Perez, along with a maintenance crew from the 146th Airlift Wing, will be providing maintenance service on two C-130J aircraft equipped with the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System from the Channel Islands Air National Guard Station during the week-long multi-agency wildfire training with the U.S. Forest Service, CAL FIRE, and multiple Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve wings.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Clay Krisell, a crew chief with Marine Medium Tilt Rotor Squadron 165, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing surveys a landing zone during Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course 1-23 near Playas, New Mexico, Sept. 30, 2022. WTI is a seven-week training event hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One, providing standardized advanced tactical training and certification of unit instructor qualifications to support Marine aviation training and readiness, and assists in developing and employing aviation weapons and tactics.

050224-A-8359B-399. Base: Fort Buchanan, San Juan State: Puerto Rico (PR) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: SOUTHEAST

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Aaron Ortiz, a UH-1Y Venom crew chief with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 167, observes the landscape during a familiarization flight near Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, Michigan, Aug. 6, 2022. HMLA-167 trained with U.S. Army National Guard and U.S. Air National Guard units during joint exercise Northern Strike 22-2. HMLA-167 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force.

U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) conduct an airdrop of supplies from an MV-22B Osprey during day tactics drills during Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course 1-23 near Yuma, Arizona, Oct. 8, 2022. The WTI course is a seven-week training event hosted by MAWTS-1 providing standardized advanced tactical training and certification of unit instructor qualifications to support Marine aviation training and readiness, and assists in developing and employing aviation weapons and tactics.

33rd Rescue Squadron special mission aviators fly over Okinawa, Japan, June 17, 2022. This training enhanced the SMAs and pilots ability to land on naval vessels in case rescue operations occur at sea.

U.S. Air Force Staff. Sgt. Steven Hernandez, 355th Wing security manager, takes a photo of mountains while flying on an HH-60G Pave Hawk during its final flight before retiring to the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Sept. 21, 2022. The pilots for the HH-60G Pave Hawks final flight were U.S. Air Force Col. Paul Sheets, 355th Wing vice commander, and U.S. Air Force Lt. Col Andrew Fink, 355th Wing detachment director of operations at Nellis Air Force Base.

Master Sgt. Jorge Pardon and Senior Airman Jacob Gorecki, 911th Maintenance Squadron crew chiefs, inspect the front landing gear of a C-17 Globemaster III at the Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station, Pennsylvania, Jan. 5, 2024. Crew chiefs conduct routine pre-flight inspections before every flying mission ensuring the aircraft's operational readiness.

U.S. Army Reserve and National Guard Soldiers participating in the Medical Simulation Training Center's Combat Lifesaver Course train with a New Jersey National Guard UH-60L Black Hawk MEDEVAC helicopter on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, May 25, 2022.

Master Sgt. Dominic Santos, 15th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron production superintendent, waits for the incident commander during a decontamination exercise at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Nov. 9, 2022. Hickam Airmen trained how to decontaminate an aircraft, aircrew and cargo that has been exposed to a chemical or biological agent to maintain operational readiness.

U.S. Air Force CHIEF Controller MASTER Sergeant Danny Dyjak radios approaching aircraft deploying to the forward location in support of Phoneix Scorpion II. MSGT Dyjak is assigned to the 496th Air Base Squadron, Moron Air Base, Spain. Subject Operation/Series: PHOENIX SCORPION II Base: Moron Air Base State: Sevilla Country: Spain (ESP)

U.S. Marines participating in the Marine Forces Reserve Diversity AIMED (attract, identify, mentor, educate, develop) Officer Program (DAOP) ride in an MV-22 Osprey while on a tour of The Basic School, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, Aug. 18, 2022. DAOP seeks to attract, identify, mentor, educate, and develop high-performing Marines from historically underrepresented populations to provide them an opportunity to visualize and pursue an officer career path.

060411-N-1786N-060. Base: USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6)

Maj. Gen. Eric Hill, Air Force Special Operations Command deputy commander, observes from the flight deck of a ShinMaywa US-2 assigned to assigned to the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force's Air Patrol Squadron 71 at Marines Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 5, 2022. The US-2 aircrew and team of rescue swimmers demonstrated the amphibious aircrafts ability to take-off and land on both formal runways and open water, and how that provides the JMSDF with unique and crucial response and rescue capabilities.

221207-N-GF955-1021BALTIC SEA (Dec. 7, 2022) A Royal Danish Air Force MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter lands on the flight deck of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117) during deck landing qualifications, Dec. 7, 2022. Paul Ignatius, forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet, to defend U.S., allied and partner interests.

050114-F-5040D-384. Base: Andersen Air Base State: Guam (GU) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Army Soldiers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade board a U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules aircraft to perform a static-line jump at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Feb. 13, 2024. The 86th Airlift Wing trained with over 200 paratroopers from the U.S. and German Armies to demonstrate the Global Gateways airlift capabilities and the contingency response capabilities of the paratroopers. Air Force

KHOST PROVINCE, Afghanistan - U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class James Lee, aerial gunner, Bravo Co., 1-169 Aviation Reg. and Ala. native, provides aerial security from the rear door of a CH-47 Chinook helicopter, Khost Province, Afghanistan, Feb 24. Chinook helicopters are one of the primary air platforms for moving troops and supplies throughout Afghanistan.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Clay Krisell, a crew chief with Marine Medium Tilt Rotor Squadron 165, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing signals to his fellow crew chief during Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course 1-23 near Playas, New Mexico, Sept. 30, 2022. WTI is a seven-week training event hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One, providing standardized advanced tactical training and certification of unit instructor qualifications to support Marine aviation training and readiness, and assists in developing and employing aviation weapons and tactics.

Pennsylvania Army National Guard Soldiers with Alpha Company, 2-104th General Support Aviation Battalion perform training to pass the air gunnery qualification at Fort Indiantown Gap July 21, 2022. To be fully qualified, soldiers must pass the aircrew qualification tables four, five, and six.

Alaska Air National Guard Capt. Robery Brodsky, a combat rescue officer assigned to the 210th Rescue Squadron, prepares to repel and conduct a rescue mission in a HH-60G Pave Hawk at Point MacKenzie, Alaska, Sept. 1, 2022. After a Christen A-1 Husky crashed into a marsh, National Guardsmen rappelled and conducted a rescue operation, ensuring the aircraft was safely vacated.

Soldiers from 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment ensure safe conduct while loading an OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopter onto an Antonov AN-124 cargo plane at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Feb. 8, 2013. Safety while loading cargo is a paramount when moving heavy object in tight spaces to avoid injuries.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Great Lakes and Ohio River Division Commander Brig. Gen. Kimberly Peeples, along with staff from the Great Lakes and Ohio River Division and the Louisville District, survey flood damage in eastern Kentucky, Aug. 12, 2022, onboard a UH-60 Black Hawk flown by the U.S. Army Reserve 244th ECAB out of Fort Knox. This flyover allowed division and district leadership to get a true perspective of the extent of damage left behind by the historic flooding, which impacted eastern Kentucky in July 2022.

U.S. Air Force Capt. Greg Schendel, a pilot assigned to 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, waits for a B-1B Lancer to return to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, from a Bomber Task Force mission, June 26, 2022. Bomber Task Force missions provide opportunities to train alongside our allies and partners to build interoperability and bolster our collective ability to support a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The crew chief aboard a Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 16 (HC-16) UH-1N Iroquois helicopter reaches out to guide a winch cable as two search and rescue (SAR) swimmers are hoisted aboard during SAR training near Pensacola, Florida. Country: Gulf Of Mexico

060908-A-5168-021. Base: Camp Buerhing Country: Kuwait (KWT)

Pennsylvania Army Soldiers with Alpha Company, 2-104th General Support Aviation Battalion perform training to pass the air gunnery qualification at Fort Indiantown Gap July 21, 2022. To be fully qualified, soldiers must pass the aircrew qualification tables four, five, and six.

U.S. Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 362, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, cut into simulated aircraft wreckage to rescue personnel during a Tactical Recovery of Aircraft Personnel course at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, April 25, 2022. The TRAP course develops the Marines proficiency in recovery operations, enabling rapid, efficient, andsafe recovery of personnel and equipment when necessary while forward deployed in the Indo-Pacific region.

Pfc. Manny Amigon, with the 470th Movement Control Battalion from Elwood, Illinois, serves as the radio tower operator during an M2 machine gun familiarization range at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, July 23, 2022. The 78th Training Division conducted Warrior Exercise 78-22-02 in order to build Warfighter collective readiness and prepare units to execute missions in support of Unified Land Operations.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Timothy Garland, 14th Airlift Squadron C-17 Globemaster III pilot, reviews paperwork prior to a training mission on Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, May 5, 2022. The 14th AS conducted training with Marines assigned to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point on loading Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles onto a C-17.

Jumpmasters from both the U.S. and Poland inform the military members how much time they have until their jump over the Sicily Drop Zone near Fayetteville, North Carolina, Dec. 8, 2022. Everyone participating in the jumps for Operation Toy Drop brought toys to donate to children to open during the holiday season.

Crew members aboard an EC-130E Hercules aircraft prepare to operate their consoles before take-off during exercise Border Star '81. Subject Operation/Series: BORDER STAR '81 Base: Biggs Army Air Field, El Paso State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Members of Greek Special Forces (SOF) prepare for Exercise Orion as they jump from the ramp of a Greek Air Force C-130 aircraft during airborne operation over a coastal area near Elefsina, Greece, March 30, 2022. Exercise Orion reinforces Greece as a regional SOF leader, enhances interoperability across multiple domains, and strengthens relationships with NATO and non-NATO partners. The exercise focuses on highlighting operational capabilities, international collaborations and conventional and hybrid warfare training.

Motorbike carrying piglets in basket, Yangshuo, Guangxi, China

070305-M-7404B-111. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Al Asad State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: HMLA-167

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Paige Sportsman, a MV-22 Osprey crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 scans the flight line at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, June 2, 2022. VMM-265 supported 1st Marine Aircraft Wing chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) Marines while they conducted a short-notice fly-away drill as part of their enhanced CBRN capability set.

040603-F-0193C-006. Base: Baghdad Country: Iraq (IRQ)

Members of the 320th Special Tactics Squadron fly up to Matsushima Air Base on an MC-130P Combat Shadow March 16, to later drive to Sendai Airport to help clear and reopen the airfield.

Marines and sailors with Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, sit aboard an Air Force C-17 transport aircraft on the flight line here, before departing for Camp Dwyer, Afghanistan, Oct. 30. After departing from Hawaii from Oct. 27 through Nov. 1, America’s Battalion” arrived in southern Helmand province to begin their seven-month deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In the coming weeks 3/3 will take control of operations in Garmsir District, relieving fellow Hawaii-based 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment. The Lava Dogs” of 1/3 are nearing the end of their deployment, which began in April.

220825-N-IL330-1065 PHILIPPINE SEA (Aug. 25, 2022) - U.S. Marines Corps Lance Cpl. Zachary Martin, from Manville, Texas, left, and U.S Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dominic Zacchini, from Morristown, New Jersey, fire an M240B light machine gun during a small arms qualification aboard amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli (LHA 7), Aug. 25, 2022. Tripoli is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and maintain stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kathleen Cook, a Loadmaster for the 7th Airlift Squadron, demonstrates how to use an oxygen mask to members of the Red-Tailed Hawks Youth Program during the Aviation Inspiration and Mentorship (AIM) Wing event at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, April 16, 2022. AIM Wing is an community outreach program with a mission to inform, influence and inspire the next generation of Air Force aviators.

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Mathew Danner, the commanding officer of 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, left, U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Preston Sutherland, a tiltrotor airframe mechanic assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 (Rein.), center, 31st MEU, and Sgt. Maj. Joshua Smith, the senior enlisted advisor of the 31st MEU give speeches to Marines in the air combat element of the 31st MEU aboard Amphibious Assault Ship USS Tripoli (LHA-7), Sept. 6, 2022. Sutherland was rewarded a plaque for continued dedication and enduring commitment to his work and to the training of his unit. The 31st MEU is operating aboard ships of Amphibious Assault Ship USS Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group in the 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Staff Sgt. Andrew Hedin, an HH-60G Pave Hawk flight engineer from the 129th Rescue Wing at Moffett Federal Airfield, California Air National Guard, takes a quick time-out for a photo shoot as another Pave Hawk flies over Farallon Island. The unit is supporting the US Fish and Wildlife Service by helping transport new photovoltaic batteries to power a lighthouse and workshop at the FWS research facility on the Farallon Island sixty miles of the coast of San Francisco, California, Feb 17, 2009.

170921-N-BD308-0168 ST. CROIX, U.S. Virgin Islands (Sept. 21, 2017) Naval Aircrewman (Helicopter) 2nd Class Brandon Larnard, assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 22, embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), prepares a patient for evacuation during relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Maria. The Department of Defense is supporting Federal Emergency Management Agency, the lead federal agency, in helping those affected by Hurricane Maria to minimize suffering and is one component of the overall whole-of-government response effort.

110810-N-RM525-815SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (Aug. 10, 2011) Chief Naval Air Crewman Justin Crowe prepares an injured boy for transport by local paramedics in San Jose, Costa Rica during Continuing Promise 2011. Continuing Promise is a five-month humanitarian assistance mission to the Caribbean, Central and South America.

050205-F-9429S-005. Base: Karshni-Khanabad Air Base Country: Uzbekistan (UZB)

Golden Knights visit the Tri-State Area in Dubuque

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Gavin Saylor communicates to Cpl. Angel Becerra, both fixed-wing aircraft mechanics with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242, at Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Australia, Aug. 15, 2022. Marines with Marine Aircraft Group 12 are conducting unit level training in Australia to maintain readiness, test expeditionary capabilities, and increase interoperability with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Nicholas Kinder, a maintainer with the 379th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, secures a protective cover to a sensor on a KC-135 on Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, Aug. 1, 2022. Aircraft maintainers operate constantly to support missions at any time of day.

Capt. Matthew Helm, 459th Airlift Squadron UH-1N Iroquois pilot, navigates around Tokyo for a Tokyo Metropolitan Government hosted disaster preparedness and response drill at Tokyo Rinkai Disaster Prevention Park, Japan, Sept. 3, 2022. The U.S. Army and Navy, as well as the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, participated alongside the 459th AS to ensure mission readiness in the event of a real-world disaster.

Hurricane Katrina making landfall in 2005, this was the seen over New Orleans' flooded city in southern Louisiana. Pararescue teams composed of reservists and active duty Airmen were flying missions over New Orleans to save lives. With a combined force of 26 helicopters and about 400 people. Rescuing more than 2,000 people in five days, the pararescue teams locate and retrieve the residents, drop them off at a collection point, and then circle around again looking for more. (Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. Manuel Martinez)

NEW YORK (May 26, 2017) Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technicians assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group (EODGRU) 2, fly past the New York City skyline on a MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to The Night Dippers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5 as part of Fleet Week New York 2017. Fleet Week New York, now in its 29th year, is the city's time-honored celebration of the sea services. It is an unparalleled opportunity for the citizens of New York and the surrounding tri-state area to meet Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, as well as witness firsthand the latest capabilities of today's maritime services. The weeklong celebration has been held nearly every year since 1984.

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