Military Operations and Launches

Dynamic images of military aircraft and missile launches, capturing action during exercises and operations, with vivid colors and dramatic skies, reflecting the power of modern military forces.

A U.S. Air Force F-15 Eagle assigned to the 44th Fighter Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan, prepares to be refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 22nd Air Refueling Wing, McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, over the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex during RED FLAG-Alaska, Oct. 14, 2022. RF-A provides integrated joint and multilateral training opportunities in the JPARC, an expansive co-located air and land range with significant potential for co-located air and sea ranges.
A U.S. Air Force F-15 Eagle assigned to the 44th Fighter Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan, prepares to be refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 22nd Air Refueling Wing, McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, over the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex during RED FLAG-Alaska, Oct. 14, 2022. RF-A provides integrated joint and multilateral training opportunities in the JPARC, an expansive co-located air and land range with significant potential for co-located air and sea ranges.
238 assets in this story
6145-52160081
DF-SD-03-06134. Country: Italy (ITA) Scene Major Command Shown: AIR MOBILITY COMMAND
6145-54481243
Crew members attach crane cables as a Fighter Squadron 142 (VF-142) F-14A Tomcat aircraft is readied for loading aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN-73) in preparation for the vessel's commissioning ceremony on July 4th. Base: Naval Air Station, Norfolk State: Virginia(VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)
1848-V61934137
6145-52102586
Artwork: "Intercept". Artist: Al Fortunato. (US Air Force Art Collection). Country: Unknown
6145-58886696
A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II assigned to the F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team performs a practice airshow performance at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Jan. 11, 2023. The F-35 Demo Team performs rehearsal flights regularly to maintain flying certifications and to uphold and maintain their mission and Air Force recruiting standards.
6177-V53649862
6145-52305092
Three hawk rockets on a launcher. The Hawk was developed for intercepting aircraft at low height, and was completely mobile.3e group of led weapons in Blomberg.
6145-48904057
161130-N-XL056-083PACIFIC OCEAN (Nov. 30, 2016) A Sailor walks across the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). The ship is currently underway conducting Tailored Ship's Training Availability and Final Evaluation Problem (TSTA/FEP), which evaluates the crew on their performance during training drills and real-world scenarios. Once Nimitz completes TSTA/FEP they will begin Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) and Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) in preparation for an upcoming 2017 deployment.
1525-25701088
black anodized aluminium waterproof tactical flashlight on dark background
4239R-2556
Two aircraft fly over an enemy base of operations.
6145-52112396
DF-ST-87-00811. Country: West Germany (FRG)
6145-52086684
DF-ST-85-03590. Base: Wadi Seidna Air Base Country: Sudan (SDN)
6145-54450944
DF-SC-88-02449. Country: Unknown
6145-54425565
Artwork: "Plane Maintenance" Artist: Shannon Hogan, US Air Force Art Collection. Country: Unknown
4239R-20482981
AH-64 Apache Black Ops helicopters flying around a crop circle, which has a UFO at its center, and a crewmember walking around the site.
6145-54402972
Miscellaneous - Katrina and Rita - 26-HK-431-49. Hurricane Katrina
4239-57494736
German Ju 87 Stuka dive bombers attacking a city during World War II.
1801-64340247
imperial war museum north interior view with tank
1848-57220072
US Navy sign on an aircraft aboard the aircraft carrier USS Midway, San Diego, California, USA, North America
6145-52116138
DA-ST-87-01732. Subject Operation/Series: GALLANT EAGLE 86 State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)
6145-54464707
SSGT Gregory Olson uses a forklift to transport a pallet of supplies to a tent city set up for exercise Patriot Spirit '90, an exercise providing training for active and reserve Air Force and Army medical units under battlefield conditions.. Subject Operation/Series: PATRIOT SPIRIT '90 Base: Fort Hunter Liggett State: California(CA) Country: United States Of America(USA)
6177-V53997377
6145-54427994
DF-SC-85-12928. Base: Griffiss Air Force Base State: New York (NY) Country: United States Of America (USA)
6145-48920908
110316-N-DR144-069ARABIAN SEA (March 16, 2011) Aviation Machinist's Mate Airman Socrates Sanandres, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22, communicates with the pilot of an F/A-18F Super Hornet while performing pre-flight checks aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group is deployed supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.
6145-54607168
ATLANTIC OCEAN (March 31, 2023) Sailors, assigned to Arleigh Burke-Class guided missile destroyer USS McFaul (DDG 74), release a calibration balloon in accordance with planned maintenance to the ship's 3-D surface-to-air radar system March 31, 2023. McFaul, as part of the Ford Carrier Strike Group, is underway in the Atlantic Ocean completing its Composite Training Units Exercise (COMPTUEX), an intense, multi-week exercise designed to fully integrate a carrier strike group as a cohesive, multi-mission fighting force and to test their ability to carry out sustained combat operations from the sea.
6177-V65993735
6145-54474404
A view of nose art on a KC-10A Extender aircraft dubbed Bayou Babe. The aircraft will be tranporting equipment and personnel to the United States in the aftermath of Operation Desert Storm. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM DEPLOYMENT Country: Bahrain(BHR)
6145-52091059
An artist's concept of a Low Altitude Navigation Targeting Infrared for Night (LANTIRN) scenario for attacking an armored column. Country: Unknown
6145-54456973
DF-SC-90-01148. Base: Griffiss Air Force Base State: New York (NY) Country: United States Of America (USA)
6145-52091804
A right side view of a Soviet Yak-36MP Forger-A aircraft. Country: Unknown
6145-52177979
020228-F-0007M-001. Base: Mcguire Air Force Base State: New Jersey (NJ) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: Air Moblility Command
6145-54458599
DF-SC-89-10929. Base: Unknown
6145-48964398
Caption on Negative Sleeve: "High over the beautiful English countryside a Navy Liberator soars out to sea on the Bay of Biscay patrol. One of the enemy's favorite haunts. The US Navy took this job over from the Army which needed planes and crews for bombing tasks.".
6145-52119450
DF-ST-89-05334. Country: England / Great Britain (ENG)
1899-10399
Patriotic Advertisement for Brunhoff Manufacturing. ca. 1942, DIVE BOMBER. CARD No. 26. A BRUNHOFF Reminder: WE CANNOT WIN Freedom WITH GUNS ALONEPeace cannot be won with guns alone. Freedom is deeper than that. It is a thing of the peoplea flame to be kept aliveenviedtreasuredguardedworked forthat it may never be lost. That it may never be weakenedWe Pledge, OUR PLANTAND OURSELVESto Work. To Preserve the Rights of Free People. Buy Bonds And Keep on Buying To Keep 'Em Flying. THE BRUN
6145-54479621
An air-to-air right side view of an Airborne Early Warning Squadron 121 (VAW-121) E-2C Hawkeye aircraft over the Persian Gulf. Country: Unknown
4093-12360
Crossfire 2003 black rock stone wall
6145-52148685
Nose art on the KC-135R carrying the name of COL. Cary Walgamott, 100th Operations Group Commander. Base: Raf Mildenhall Country: Great Britain / England (GBR)