Modern Military Aircraft Operations

Dynamic images of various modern military fighter jets, including F-16s and F-15s, showcasing takeoffs, landings, and taxiing at bases.

Royal Singapore Air Force F-16 Block52.

A Polish Air Force F-16 taxiing at Trapani Air Base, Italy.

A U.S. Air Force F-15E leaves for a mission.

Royal Singapore Air Force F-16 Block52.

Lockheed Martin F-16C of the Turkish Air Force during Exercise Anatolian Eagle, Konya Air Base, Turkey.

Hellenic Air Force F-16D Block 50 landing at Andravida Air Base, Greece.

Greek Air Force F-16D Block 52 taxiing.

041108-F-5759C-005. Base: Tyndall Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

011012-F-0308N-221. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH Country: Unknown Scene Major Command Shown: CENTCOM

F-16C, Block 52, Figthting Falcon, 169th Fighter Wing, South Carolina Air National Guard, McEntire Air National Guard Base, South Carolina, taxis for takeoff. Aircraft is carring an AGM-88 air-to-surface High speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM), the AN/ASQ 213 HARM Targeting System (HTS) and an AIM-9 Sidewinder short range air-to-air misssile. This will be the first HARM equipped aircraft launch for the the 169th FW, 2 July 1999. Base: Mcentire Ang Station State: South Carolina (SC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

020919-F-3805C-010. Base: Spangdahlem Air Base State: Rheinland-Pfalz Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

SRA Carolyn Liddiard directs a Japanese Air Self Defense Force F-15 Eagle aircraft onto the runway apron. Base: Kadena Air Base State: Okinawa Country: Japan (JPN)

Royal Jordanian Air Force F-16C/D participating in Exercise Anatolian Eagle 2019.

A Hellenic Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon taxies out for a training flight from Andravida, Greece.

JAS-39C Gripen jet fighter of the Czech Air Force landing.

020627-F-0201H-011. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Country: Unknown

French Air Force Dassualt MFG Mirage 2000 fighter-bomber taking part in Red Flag exercises at Nellis Air Force Base Las Vegas NV

020402-F-9032T-010. Base: RAF Lakenheath Country: United Kingdom (GBR) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

Royal Thai Air Force F-16 during Exercise Cope Tiger 2016 in Thailand.

A U.S. Navy F/A-18A awaits clearance at JRB NAS New Orleans, Louisiana.

A 35th Tactical Fighter Wing F-4E Phantom II aircraft passes over the Saudi desert while on a training flight during Operation Desert Shield. The aircraft is carrying external fuel tanks on its outboard wing pylons and AGM-88A HARM high-speed anti-radiation missiles on its inboard wing pylons. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Saudi Arabia (SAU)

Close up of a Lockheed F-16C Block 30, Fighting Falcon, assigned to the 93rd Fighter Squadron based at Homestead Air Reserve Station, Florida carrying a Litening II navigation/targeting pod and AlQ-131 jamming pod on the centerline shown prior to depating on a local training mission. Close up of a Lockheed F-16C Block 30, Fighting Falcon, assigned to the 93rd Fighter Squadron based at Homestead Air Reserve Station, Florida carrying a Litening II navigation/targeting pod and AlQ-131 jamming pod on the centerline shown prior to depating on a local training mission.

U.S Marines with Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA(AW)) 533 conduct preflight checks at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, May 30, 2022. Marines with VMFA(AW)-533 conducted a flyover at Guam Veterans Cemetery during the Annual Veterans Day Memorial Service

An F-16D Fighting Falcon of the Royal Singapore Air Force taking off from Orange Air Base, France, as part of Exercise Garuda IV.

French Air Force Rafale jet during the NATO Tiger Meet 2014, Jagel, Germany.

Close up of a 482nd Fighter Wing / 93rd Fighter Squadron, Lockheed F-16C Fighting Falcon carrying Aim-120 AMRAAM and Aim-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, a single GBU-12 laser-guided bomb (LGB) and a Litening II navigation/targeting pod. The aircraft was piloted by Major Joe Fehele and the unit is based at Homestead Air Reserve Station, Florida. Close up of a 482nd Fighter Wing / 93rd Fighter Squadron, Lockheed F-16C Fighting Falcon carrying Aim-120 AMRAAM and Aim-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, a single GBU-12 laser-guided bomb (LGB) and a Litening II navigation/targeting pod. The aircraft was piloted by Major Joe Fehele and the unit is based at Homestead Air Reserve Station, Florida.

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 555th Fighter Squadron takes off from Aviano Air Base, Italy, June 16, 2022. The 555th FS provides combat airpower on demand to U.S. and NATO Combatant Commanders as well as the National Command Authority in order to meet national security objectives.

Aerial team performer arrive for The Great Texas Airshow, Apr. 20, 2022, at JBSA-Randolph, Texas. The Great Texas Airshow, featuring the Thunderbirds, is scheduled for April 23 thru 24 at JBSA-Randolph. The Thunderbirds perform for people all around the world to display the pride, precision and professionalism the U.S. Air Force represents. Through air shows and flyovers, they aim to excite and inspire. In addition to showcasing the elite skills all pilots must possess, the Thunderbirds demonstrate the incredible capabilities of the Air Force's premier multi-role fighter jet, the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

Line-up of Hellenic Air Force F-16 aircraft.

General Dynamics F-16 A van 322 squadron in de sneeuw.

A U.S. Air Force F-16 during Exercise Thracian Star in Bulgaria.

A Qatar Emiri Air Force Mirage 2000 during Exercise Anatolian Eagle.

060413-N-5328N-455. Base: Pensacola State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Marines with Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 223 taxi an AV-B Harrier II jet at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Aug. 30, 2022. AV-8B Harrier II jets assigned to VMA-223 were loaded with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles and ADM-141A Tactical Air-Launched Decoys for the pilots to practice air-to-air combat. VMA-223 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force.

Ukrainian Air Force Su-24 during training deployment.

A Dassault Rafale B of the French Air Force in flight over Brazil during Exercise CRUZEX V.

French Air Force Dassualt MFG Mirage 2000 fighter-bomber landing after a bombing mission. Ordnance: laser designator and air to air missile. Taking part in Red Flag exercises at Nellis Air Force Base Las Vegas NV

United States Air Force F-15C during Exercise Clear Sky in Ukraine.

Front view of an F-4D Phantom II aircraft as it undergoes refueling operations during Exercise Coronet Brave. Subject Operation/Series: CORONET BRAVE Base: Raf Finningley Country: England / Great Britain (ENG)

040427-F-0209W-109. Base: Kirkuk Country: Iraq (IRQ)

Royal Thai Air Force F-16 during Exercise Cope Tiger 2016

An F-16 Flighting Falcon assigned to the 14th Fighting Squadron, Misawa Air Base, Japan, lands at Yokota Air Base, Japan, to participate in a week-long Agile Combat Employment training exercise aimed at enhancing multi-capable Airmens skillset, May 8, 2022. Twelve 14th FS F-16s and crew members deployed to Yokota AB to participate in the exercise. Through ACE, the 35th Fighter Wing train alongside the 374th Airlift Wing to maintain a competitive edge over adversaries; and execute their mission - to protect U.S. interests in the Pacific, defend Japan, and deter adversaries through presence, readiness, and ability to project agile combat air power.

020920-F-4649H-022. Subject Operation/Series: NORTHERN WATCH Base: Incirlik Air Base, Adana Country: Turkey (TUR) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

Turkish Air Force F-16 during Exercise Anatolian Eagle.

A Kuwaiti Mirage 2000C fighter aircraft takes off for an air strike against Iraqi targets in support of Operation Desert Storm.. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Saudi Arabia(SAU)

040726-F-6175D-131. Base: Eielson Air Force Base State: Alaska (AK) Country: United States Of America (USA)

011113-F-1718K-026. Subject Operation/Series: COPE NORTH 02-1 Base: Kadena Air Base State: Okinawa Country: Japan (JPN) Scene Major Command Shown: PACOM JASDF

021017-F-4177H-011. Base: RAF Lakenheath State: East Anglia Country: England / Great Britain (ENG) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

Hellenic Air Force F-16 during Exercise Iniohos 2018, Greece.

Turkish Air Force F-16 during Exercise Anatolian Eagle.

Italian Air Force Tornado ECR during Exercise Anatolian Eagle 2016.

A Turkish Air Force F-16D Fighting Falcon in midair.

German Eurofighter taking off from Albacete Airfield, Spain, during NATO`s Tactical Leadership Program exercise.

Italian Air Force EF-2000 Typhoon during NATO Baltic Air Policing, Estonia.

A McDonnell Douglas F-15D Eagle Baz aircraft of the Israeli Air Force, Tel Nof Air Base, Israel.

Venezuelan Air Force F-16 taxiing at Natal Air Force Base, Brazil.

An AV-8B+ Harrier II jet aboard the Italian Navy Cavour aircraft carrier.

Royal Singapore Air Force F-16 Block52.

Italian Air Force Tornado ECR prepares for landing.

060822-N-6346S-002. Base: USS Enterprise (CVN 65)

Tornado ECR of the German Air Force armed with HARM missile.

A technician secures the nose of a 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing F-4E Phantom II aircraft. Base: Clark Air Base State: Luzon Country: Philippines (PHL)

DF-ST-85-11881. Country: Unknown

Israeli Air Force F-16 during Exercise Iniohos 2018, Greece.

U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles, assigned to the 494th Fighter Squadron from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, taxi after landing at Souda Air Base, Greece, July 7, 2022. The 494th is one of two fighter squadrons, deployed from the 48th Fighter Wing, in support of exercise Poseidons Rage.

An F-16D Block 50M of the Chilean Air Force taking off.

DF-ST-87-11018. Base: George Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Air Force F-15C during Exercise Cope Tiger 2016.

AV-8B Harrier II US Navy

Italian Air Force EF-2000 Typhoon during NATO Baltic Air Policing, Estonia.

Right side view of an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft landing to join its new command with the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing. Base: Kunsan Air Base Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

Italian Air Force Tornado ECR and IDS aircraft in flight.

U.S. Navy F-18E Super Hornet taking off during Exercise Air Defender 2023 in Germany.

A BQM-74E target drone rests on a weapons loader in front of an Attack Squadron 128 (VA-128) A-6E Intruder Aircraft during operational test and evaluation exercises conducted by the Missile Targets Division of the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division. Base: Naval Air Station, Point Mugu State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier conducts flight operations aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) in the Atlantic Ocean, June 27, 2022. The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, 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.

French Air Force Couteau Delta team flying Mirage 2000D aircraft.

030508-M-7690B-119. Base: Mcas, Beaufort State: South Carolina (SC) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: MWSS-273

A Royal Air Force Jaguar aircraft is serviced on the flight line as a U.S. Air Force F-15E Eagle aircraft taxis in the background during Operation Desert Shield. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Saudi Arabia (SAU)

010811-F-7910D-021. Base: Buckley Air Force Base State: Colorado (CO) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: Air Combat Command

A Navy EA-6B Prowler aircraft lands at Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, after its daily mission during Operation SOUTHERN WATCH. The EA-6B is part of the coalition forces of the 363rd Air Expeditionary Wing, Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, that enforces the no-fly and no-drive zone in Southern Iraq to protect and defend against Iraqi aggression. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH Base: Prince Sultan Air Base Country: Saudi Arabia (SAU)

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Matthew Sharber, a pilot with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312, taxis an F/A-18C Hornet aircraft during exercise Keen Sword 2023 at Japan Air Self-Defense Force Nyutabaru Air Base, Japan, Nov. 10, 2022. Keen Sword is a biennial exercise designed to enhance Japan-U.S. readiness, interoperability, and bilateral relations while demonstrating U.S. resolve to support the security interests of allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region.

A Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) member stands in front of a Kawasaki T-4 static display during the Misawa Air Fest at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Sept. 11, 2022. The air show gave community members an opportunity to see various aircraft, meet military personnel and observe ground and aerial demonstrations, encompassing the power of the joint and bilateral forces. This years aerial demonstrations included the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and JASDF F-35A Lightning II, Mitsubishi F-2, a CH-47J and UH-60 helicopter alongside a U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon and U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler.

German Air Force Tornado ECR during Exercise Air Defender 2023 in Jagel, Germany.

A Panavia Tornado of the Italian Armed Forces in flight over Florennes, Belgium.

A Spanish Air Force F/A-18C during Exercise Anatolian Eagle.

Pair of Italian Air Force AMX-ACOL flying over Italy.

German Tornado ECR armed with a HARM anti-radar missile. taking off over Germany during exercise ELITE.

020327-F-4814D-056. Subject Operation/Series: NORTHERN WATCH Base: Incirlik Air Base, Adana Country: Turkey (TUR)

An Attack Squadron 95 (VA-95) A-6E Intruder aircraft with tail hook extended approaches the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN-72) as it prepares for a landing on the ship's flight deck. Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

Left side front view of the front half of a US Marine F/A-18 Hornet as it taxies. A US Marine ground crew member, back t camera, directs the aircraft during Brightstar 1999-2000 held in October and November in Egypt. Subject Operation/Series: BRIGHTSTAR 1999-2000 Country: Egypt (EGY)

Two F-15J Eagle aircraft of the 202nd Tactical Fighter Squadron, Japanese Air Self Defense Force (JASDF), take off in formation during the joint U.S./Japan exercise Cope North 85-4. Subject Operation/Series: EXERCISE COPE NORTH 85-4 Base: Nyutabaru Air Base State: Kyashu Country: Japan (JPN)

040816-F-6740T-074. Country: Iraq (IRQ)

Royal Singapore Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle during Exercise Cope Tiger 2016.

021010-F-4649H-022. Subject Operation/Series: NORTHERN WATCH Base: Incirlik Air Base, Adana Country: Turkey (TUR)

A ground marshal guides a taxiing F-5E Tiger II aircraft from the 527th Aggressor Squadron into position at a refueling pit as several F-15C Eagle aircraft from the 36th Tactical Fighter Wing stand by in the background. Decimomannu is the site of an Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation (ACMI) range. Base: Decimomannu Air Base State: Sardinia Country: Italy (ITA)

An air-to-air right side view of three 169th Tactical Fighter Group F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft of the South Carolina Air National Guard in formation. The F-16s, armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, display the new "South Carolina" tail marking. State: South Carolina (SC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 125th Maintenance Group, Florida Air National Guard, perform aircraft maintenance on an F-15C Eagle jet before flight training June 7, 2022.

A U.S. Air Force F-16C fighter jet prepares to touch down at Leeuwarden Air Base, The Netherlands.

Romanian Air Force F-16AM Fighting Falcon on the ramp at BorceaAir Base, Romania.

DF-ST-86-09179. Base: Raaf Williamtown Country: Australia (AUS)

A United States Marine Corps F/A-18 fixed-wing aircraft mechanic prepares an F/A-18 Hornet assigned to the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 323 out of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, for takeoff at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Sept. 20, 2022. During the flights they had opportunities to identify strengths, weaknesses and capabilities while also sharpening the skills and tactics shared between the 510th Fighter Squadron and the VMFA-323 Squadron.

of 2