Military Operations and Airlift

Images of military personnel in helicopters and aircraft during training and operations, featuring specialized airlift and mission preparation.

A service member with the U.S. Army 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) prepares for a static line jump from a U.S. Air Force MC-130J Commando II assigned to the 352d Special Operations Wing near Udbina, Croatia, July 20, 2022. The jump was part of a Joint Combined Exchange Training (JCET), which included members of the U.S. Air Forces 352d SOW, the U.S. Armys 1st Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) and the Zapovjedništvo specijalnih snaga (Croatian Special Operations Forces Command). JCETs allow U.S. service members to train at the operational and tactical echelon as a combined, joint force with SOF setting the conditions for larger operations.

Material from Vice Admiral Allen - VIP Tours - 26-HK-375-70. Hurricane Katrina

Material from Vice Admiral Allen - VIP Tours - 26-HK-375-120. Hurricane Katrina

British Royal and United States Air Force members remove pieces of aircraft arresting equipment from an F-4C Phantom II aircraft during Exercise Coronet Cactus. Subject Operation/Series: CORONET CACTUS Base: Raf Leeming Country: England / Great Britain (ENG)

A service member with the U.S. Army 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) prepares for a static line jump from a U.S. Air Force MC-130J Commando II assigned to the 352d Special Operations Wing near Udbina, Croatia, July 20, 2022. The jump was part of a Joint Combined Exchange Training (JCET), which included members of the U.S. Air Forces 352d SOW, the U.S. Armys 1st Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) and the Zapovjedništvo specijalnih snaga (Croatian Special Operations Forces Command). JCETs allow U.S. service members to train at the operational and tactical echelon as a combined, joint force with SOF setting the conditions for larger operations.

DF-ST-86-12745. Base: Charleston Air Force Base State: South Carolina (SC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

970221-F-0017C-016. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH Base: Seymour Johnson Air Force Base State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Army Sgt. Spencer Meadows, assigned to 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), unload bags as 101st arrives in Mihail Kogalniceanu, Romania, June 28, 2022. 101st units will support V Corps' mission to reinforce NATO's eastern flank and engage in multinational exercises with partners across the European continent to reassure our Nation's Allies and deter further Russian aggression.

U.S. Army Soldiers and Dominicans load humanitarian relief supplies into a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Nov. 4, 2007, in preparation for delivery. U.S. Southern Command is deployed to conduct disaster relief operations in response to Tropical Storm Noel.

050711-A-3932K-007. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM State: Baghdad Country: Iraq (IRQ)

Coast Guard Air Station - Clearwater, Florida - Katrina Relief - 26-HK-217-22. Hurricane Katrina

020306-F-6701P-010. Subject Operation/Series: ANACONDA Base: Ramstein Air Base State: Rheinland-Pfalz Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

060909-N-9851B-005. Base: Usns John Ericsson (TAO-194)

980608-F-4116M-002. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH 1998 Base: Kuwait International Airport Country: Kuwait (KWT) Scene Major Command Shown: AMC

U.S. Army Spouses apart of the 10th Combat Aviation Brigade participate in the brigade spouse flight on Fort Drum, NY May 12, 2022. Spouses had the oppurtunity to fly in UH-60M Black Hawk and CH-47F Chinook helicopters.

Kennedy Space Center personnel and American Medical Response (AMR) contractor paramedics load a patient,” a KEMCON Fitness Center staff member, into a NASA helicopter during a medical support training course in the Space Florida hangar at the spaceport’s Shuttle Landing Facility on May 17, 2019. The course was designed to familiarize the AMR paramedics with the center’s Triage Forces deployment, which included medical team members, fire/rescue personnel, environmental health specialists and flight operations crew members, as well as a helicopter, Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) tactical vehicle, fire pumper truck and triage vehicles. The AMR paramedics will assist the agency in contingency planning for the return of human spaceflight from Kennedy.

041201-F-2034C-009. Base: Unknown

Leadership Central Delaware members board a C-17 Globemaster III for an incentive flight at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, June 15, 2022. The LCD community leaders were given an incentive flight to gain awareness and advocacy for Team Dover. The flight consisted of an engine running offload and an aerial refueling over Maine.

Members from the Virginia Task Force 2 Urban Search and Rescue board a C-17 Globemaster from the 21st Airlift Squadron, Travis AFB, CA. on January 15, 2010 at Norfolk, VA. The Virginia Task Force 2 team is heading to Haiti as part of the Haiti earthquake relief effort.

DN-SC-87-10350. Country: Indian Ocean (IOC)

050105-N-5376G-004. Base: Banda Aceh Airport (BTJ) State: Sumatra Country: Indonesia (IDN)

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

040708-F-4884R-012. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Country: Iraq (IRQ)

Recruits recieve training on the various exterior parts of an aircraft at the Naval Training Center, Recruit Training Command. Base: San Diego State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-ST-87-09666. Subject Operation/Series: TEAM SPIRIT Base: Osan Air Base Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

Air Force and NASA officials greet the STS-126 crew as they exit the Crew Transport Vehicle after landing the shuttle Endeavour at Edwards Air Force Base.

A line chief petty officer and a squadron plane inspector from Fighter Squadron 74 (VF-74) replace a damaged part on the landing gear of an F-14A Tomcat aircraft parked near a deckedge elevator aboard the aircraft carrier USS SARATOGA (CV-60) during Operation Desert Storm. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Red Sea

050922-F-2907C-323. Base: Beaumont State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Secretary Dirk Kempthorne on visit to New Orleans area, Louisiana, where he met and toured with Fish and Wildlife Service staff

Members from the 128th Air Refueling Wing, Wisconsin Air National Guard, aboard a 155th Air Refueling Wing, Nebraska Air National Guard, KC-135R Stratotanker preparing for deployment in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Operation ENDURING FREEDOM is in support of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT), fighting terrorism abroad. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Lincoln Municipal Airport State: Nebraska (NE) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: AMC/ANG

041109-F-9528H-010. Base: C-17 Globemaster III Country: United States Of America (USA)

Severe Storms/Tornadoes, Windsor, CO, May 23 2008 Responders at the command center seek shelter in the basement of Windsor Fire Department as a tornado was seen heading their way. Photo Michael Rieger/FEMA.. Photographs Relating to Disasters and Emergency Management Programs, Activities, and Officials

U.S. Army soldiers and members of LCU Calaboza prepare to unload equipment at Subic Bay in support of Balikatan 2023, March 26, 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.

110303-N-NB544-131PACIFIC OCEAN (March 3, 2011) Sailors practice emergency lowering of a jet blast deflector before graded training aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group is underway continuing training before deploying to the western Pacific Ocean and the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

050622-A-9665L-008. Subject Operation/Series: RED DRAGON Base: Fort Mccoy State: Wisconsin (WI) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: USAR

050622-A-9665L-008. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Tikrit State: Salah Ad Din Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION (AA)

110212-N-5681S-256SAN DIEGO (Feb. 12, 2011) Visitors look at aircraft displays during the Centennial of Naval Aviation Open House and Parade of Flight at Naval Air Station North Island. The Navy is observing the Centennial of Naval Aviation with a series of nationwide events celebrating 100 years of heritage, progress and achievement in naval aviation.

Search and Rescue Operations - 26-HK-260-62. Hurricane Katrina

Earthquake Tsunami - Barbers Point, Hawaii, September 30, 2009 Responders from FEMA and other federal agencies prepare to board a U. S. Coast Guard plane heading for American Samoa. FEMA is the lead federal agency in the response to the earthquake and tsunami disaster. . American Samoa Earthquake, Tsunami, and Flooding. Photographs Relating to Disasters and Emergency Management Programs, Activities, and Officials

Airmen from the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron disembark a jet and are greeted by base leadership on the flightline at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, Sept. 24, 2022. The 23rd BS personnel were deployed to RAF Fairford, England in support of United States in Europe and Air Forces Africa command.

More than 300 Troopers assigned to 3rd Brigade Combat Team deployed Jul. 17 from Fort Hood. On May 13, the Secretary of Defense ordered the deployment of the brigade to U.S. Army Europe and Africa Command area of operations to assure NATO allies, deter Russian aggression and to be prepared to support a range of other requirements in the region. GREYWOLF will replace 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division in Grafenwöhr, Germany.

011011-F-9631D-012. Subject Operation/Series: DEEP FREEZE 2001-2002. Base: Christchurch State: Canterbury Country: New Zealand (NZL)

Hurricane Gustav, New Orleans, LA, August 30, 2008 The US Army Corps of Engineers helps direct Special needs evacuees with their families onto the planes to safe locations outside of Hurricane Gustav's path. Jacinta Quesada/FEMA.. Photographs Relating to Disasters and Emergency Management Programs, Activities, and Officials

Exercise of a Police SWAT Team, Germany

U.S. Army Soldiers from the 1916th Support battalion, 916th Support Brigade pick up their gear and move towards a bus, at Austin-Bergstrom Airport, Austin, Texas, August 12, 2022. The Army is the best trained, best equipped and most skilled fighting force in the world.

Combined service pallbearers lift the flag-draped casket of an American serviceman into a bus. The serviceman was listed as missing-in-action in Southeast Asia. Base: Hickam Air Force Base State: Hawaii (HI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

021002-F-4649H-009. Subject Operation/Series: NORTHERN WATCH Base: Incirlik Air Base, Adana Country: Turkey (TUR)

040512-F-2022C-042. Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: AETC

Border patrol in San Louis AZ arresting illegal aliens from Mexico.

050622-A-9665L-063. Subject Operation/Series: RED DRAGON Base: Fort Mccoy State: Wisconsin (WI) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: USAR

020525-F-6655M-008. Subject Operation/Series: COBRA GOLD 2002 Base: Utapao Royal Thai Air Base Country: Thailand (THA)

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Staff Sgt. James Anderson, 35th Logistics Readiness Squadron, carries a family pet for Belinda Sanchez and her 5-year-old son, Damian, as they board a plane headed for the U.S., March 25. Mrs. Sanchez, wife of Airman 1st Class Emanuel Sanchez, 35th Maintenance Squadron, elected to take part in the voluntary process the previous day. Mrs. Sanchez will stay with family in Texas and plans on returning to Misawa as soon as possible.

050101-F-3798Y-012. Base: Over Indonesia Country: Indonesia (IDN)

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- A close-up of the recently recovered Liberty Bell 7 Project Mercury capsule from the ocean floor shows the lettering "United States" still clearly visible on its side. Thirty-eight years ago, the capsule made a successful 16-minute suborbital flight, with astronaut Virgil "Gus" Grissom aboard, and splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean. A prematurely jettisoned hatch caused the capsule to flood and a Marine rescue helicopter was unable to lift it. It quickly sank to a three-mile depth. Grissom was rescued but his spacecraft remained lost on the ocean floor, until now. In an expedition sponsored by the Discovery Channel, underwater salvage expert Curt Newport fulfilled a 14-year dream in finding and, after one abortive attempt, successfully raising the capsule and bringing it to Port Canaveral. The capsule is being moved to the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center in Hutchinson, Kansas, where it will be restored for eventual public display. Newport has also

The 82nd Airborne Division of Fort Bragg board a C-141 from McChord AFB, WA, in support of the Combined Joint Task Force 180.(Exact date unknown). Subject Operation/Series: PHOENIX SHARK Base: Pope Air Force Base State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Spouses of 507th Air Refueling Wing members take flight April 29, 2022, on a KC-135 Stratotanker at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma.

NORFOLK (July 31, 2017) Instructors evaluate students of the Navys first Role 2 Light Maneuver course during a combat surgery exercise. The objective of the pilot course, which is held at Surface Warfare Medical Institute East, a detachment of Navy Medicine Operational Training Center, is to build a mobile unit equipped to set up a functioning medical area with advanced trauma and life support capabilities.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Daniel Hart, a CH-53E Super Stallion crew chief with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 462, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, takes accountability of passengers at Naval Air Station North Island, Coronado, California, Feb. 13, 2024. HMH-462 transported passengers from NAS North Island to the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, and provided assault support for routine operations in the Third Fleet area of responsibility. Landing on an aircraft carrier was a rare opportunity for the Marines of HMH-462, as CH-53E Super Stallions deploy at sea aboard amphibious assault ships. Marine Corps

Staff Sgt. Austin Smith, 725th Air Mobility Squadron crew chief, inspects the engine of a C-17 Globemaster III at Naval Station Rota, Spain, April 2, 2022. As NAVSTA Rotas only Air Mobility Command presence, the 725th AMS provides command and control, maintenance and air transportation support for all U.S. Transportation Command aircraft transiting through the base.

Search and Rescue Operations - 26-HK-260-68. Hurricane Katrina

061124-N-3642E-005. Base: Persian Gulf

U.S. Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 461 play cards while traveling to Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, for an exercise with the CH-53K King Stallion, Aug. 4, 2022. This was the first time the Marine Corps deployed the King Stallion in an exercise. HMH-461 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force.

Commander Dan Taylor - Rescue - 26-HK-281-72. Hurricane Katrina

Julie Bocek (center), Decontamination Education and Consulting training manager, Biloxi, Miss., demonstrates hand signals during a Patient Decontamination Course, Aug. 10, 2022, at Joint Base San Antoni-Randolph, Texas. Military members across Joint Base San Antonio participate in a Patient Decontamination Course, Aug. 10, 2022, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. The outdoor training teaches and refreshes JBSA medics and firefighters on DECON procedures. In Place Patient Decontamination training protects the military treatment facility from further contamination.

Aviation Training Center - Mobile Aircrew - Aftermath and Rescue - 26-HK-279-193. Hurricane Katrina

Aviation Training Center - Mobile Aircrew - Aftermath and Rescue - 26-HK-279-6. Hurricane Katrina

030313-F-5712B-016. Country: Unknown

U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 and Airmen with 8th Civil Engineer Squadron move fiberglass reinforcement panels during Vigilant Storm 23 at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, Nov. 1, 2022. Vigilant Storm is an annual training event designed to further reinforce the combat readiness and interoperability between Republic of Korea and U.S. airpower through exercising operational and tactical-level command and control on the Korean peninsula.

Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DART) - Marine Safety Office St. Louis - 26-HK-121-43. Hurricane Katrina

U.S. Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, load a pallet of Department of Social Welfare and Development family food packs onto a KC-130J Super Hercules aircraft at Villamor Airbase, Pasay City, Philippines, Feb. 13, 2024. At the request of the Government of the Philippines, the U.S. Marines of III Marine Expeditionary Force are supporting the U.S. Agency for International Development in providing foreign humanitarian assistance to the ongoing disaster relief mission in Mindanao. The forward presence and ready posture of III MEF assets in the region facilitated rapid and effective response to crisis, demonstrating the U.S.s commitment to Allies and partners during times of need. Marine Corps

A view of the Battalion Landing Team 3/6, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), bivouac site with frost on the desert tan two-man tents immediately in front of the Kandahar International Airport, Kandahar, Afghanistan, during OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Kandahar International Airport Country: Afghanistan (AFG) Scene Major Command Shown: 26th MEU (SOC)

DF-ST-89-01906. Base: Andrews Air Force Base State: Maryland (MD) Country: United States Of America (USA)

041211-M-2583M-033. Base: Fallujah State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ)

220629-N-XN177-2055 EAST CHINA SEA (June 29, 2022) - Sailors move an F-35B Lightning II aircraft on the flight deck during night flight operations aboard amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli (LHA 7), June 29, 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.

Pilots of the 58th Tactical Fighter Squadron arrive to perform preflight checks on their F-15C Eagle aircraft prior to deploying to the Middle East in support of Operation Desert Shield.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Nicholas Simon, 325th Logistics Readiness Squadron ground transportation vehicle operator, waits to transport incoming personnel participating in Checkered Flag 22-2 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, May 4, 2022. Checkered Flag is a large-force aerial exercise held at Tyndall which fosters readiness and interoperability through the incorporation of 4th- and 5th-generation aircraft during air-to-air combat training. The 22-2 iteration of the exercise was held May 9-20, 2022.

DEU, Germany, Duesseldorf : Police officers of a SWAT Team on a training misson in an airplane, in case of a highjacking. |

040311-F-9796L-004. Base: Macdill Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-ST-84-08124. Base: Hellenikon Air Base Country: Greece (GRC)

DF-ST-86-07733. Base: Carswell Air Force Base State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

The Utah National Guard held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new Special Operations Forces Live-Fire Shoot House (SOF LFSH) at Camp Williams, Utah, July 11, 2022.Soldiers from the 19thSpecial Forces Group (Airborne) perform a demonstration of advanced urban combat during the opening of the SOF LFSH as those in attendance watch from the cat-walk above.The SOF LFSH will primarily support U.S. Army Special Operations Forces in initial and advanced training related to close-quarter battle and urban combat scenarios. It will also support Utah Army National Guard Soldiers, as well as law enforcement agencies, in training on advanced urban combat skills to include advanced marksmanship techniques, close-quarter battle, and urban movement techniques. This live-fire shoot house facility will give Soldiers a premier facility to improve and hone combat techniques which will allow them to fight and win in any environment they are deployed.

010930-F-8619S-002. Subject Operation/Series: NOBLE EAGLE Base: Salt Lake City Iap State: Utah (UT) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ANG

Dolphin Rescue - 26-HK-130-304. Hurricane Katrina

DN-ST-86-02348. Subject Operation/Series: OCEAN VENTURE '84 Base: Naval Air Station, Jacksonville State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, speaks with Tech. Sgt. Michael Williams, a returning wounded warrior, during an aeromedical evacuation mission on the flight line of Andrews Air Force Base, Md., Aug. 7, 2009. The 779th Medical Group has the busiest ASF in the continental US, caring for over 100 wounded and ill returning each week.

Vice President Dan Quayle answers questions for the media on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS RANGER (CV-61) following his visit aboard the vessel. Base: Naval Air Station, North Island State: California(CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Navy Lt. Cdr. Ramy Teriak, the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, logistics officer, right, and Chief Petty Officer Juan Vigil, the MCAS Iwakuni harbor master, watch U.S. Marines depart the harbor during Teriaks visit around the installation, Oct. 27, 2022. Teriaks role as the installations logistics officer heavily involves operations at the air stations harbor, which is uniquely designed to have direct access to a flightline.

040811-F-8757F-010. Base: Hurlburt Field State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, agency helicopter pilots ensure all is clear before taking off during a training exercise. Helicopter pilot Bill Martin, a URS Federal Technical Services in the agency's Aircraft Operations, is seen in the front seat. Behind Martin on the left, is Mark Huetter, of Chenega Security & Support Solutions. Martin serves as assistant chief of Training for the center's Fire Rescue Department.The activity taking place in Kennedy's Launch Complex 39 turn-basin parking lot was only one of several drills. It was part of a new training program that was developed by Kennedy's Fire Rescue department along with NASA Aircraft Operations to sharpen the skills needed to help rescue personnel learn how to collaborate with helicopter pilots in taking injured patients to hospitals as quickly as possible.

060519-N-4772B-064. Base: USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49)

The U.S. Army Parachute Team prepares for a demonstration at the 2022 Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Air Show at MCAS Miramar, California, Sept. 24, 2022. Nicknamed the Golden Knights in 1962, Golden signifies the gold medals the team won in international competitions, and Knights alludes to the teams ambition to conquer the skies. The Golden Knights perform in more than 100 events per year. The theme for the 2022 MCAS Miramar Air Show, Marines Fight, Evolve and Win, reflects the Marine Corps ongoing modernization efforts to prepare for future conflicts.

Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to the U.S. Air Force's Ramstein Air Base, Ramstein, Germany

Commander Dan Taylor - Rescue - 26-HK-281-110. Hurricane Katrina

Electronics Technician 3rd Class Patt discusses the use of a safety harness with his fellow crew members aboard the amphibious assault ship USS WASP (LHD 1). Base: USS Wasp (LHD 1) Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

ESU Incident Command Post New Orleans - Rita - 26-HK-307-7. Commandant Thomas H. Collins Visit. Hurricane Katrina

Secretary Gale Norton, third from left, seated in helicopter with Federal Emergency Management Agency personnel during visit to central Colorado for assessment, with federal, state, and local officials, of the Hayman forest fire emergency. Fire, started southwest of Denver, is the largest in Colorado's recorded history, affecting 90,000 acres, including portions of the Pike and San Isabel National Forests

Marine Safety Unit - 26-HK-133-230. Hurricane Katrina

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