Modern Military Aircraft Operations

Dramatic images of military aircraft takeoffs and landings, featuring F-15s, F-16s, and B-1s in action, highlighting training operations in various bases.

An F-15 assigned to the assigned to the 433rd Weapons Squadron, U.S. Air Force Weapons School, lands during Black Flag 22-1 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, May 10, 2022. Black Flag 22-1 is focused on developing and validating large force tactics and integration required to deliver combat capability and tactical advantage for the Combat Air Force.

An F-15E Strike Eagle assigned to the 336th Fighter Squadron, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, takes off during Red Flag-Nellis 22-3 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, July 11, 2022. RF-N 22-3 provides realistic combat training that saves lives while increasing combat effectiveness.

An F-16 Fighting Falcon waits as a B-1 Lancer lands after a flight test. Planes fly more than 5,500 hours a year at Edwards AFB. AIRMAN Magazine's article High-desert Hideaway by MASTER Sergeant Louis Arana-Barradas describes life on the desert base by Air Force members stationed there. The base has made major improvements in quality life issues such as housing, gymnasium, restaurants, off-duty education opportunities and recreation. (AIRMAN Magazine/July 1999). Base: Edwards Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Two U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons with the 80th Fighter Squadron taxis as a Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) F-16 Fighting Falcon passes by during VIGILANT STORM 23 at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Nov. 2, 2022. A main goal of the VIGILANT STORM 23 combined flying training event is to further improve interoperability between U.S. and ROK forces.

A U.S. Marine Corp F-35, Marine Fighter AttackSquadron314, lands while three U.S. Marine Corp F-18 Hornets and two F-16 Fighting Falcons, 140th Wing, Colorado Air National Guard stand-by for take off at Miramar Marine Corp Air Station, San Diego, California, Aug 5, 2022. The 140th Wing is performing aerial maneuvers and training with the F-18 fighter jets, stationed at Miramar Air Station, to enhance their wartime readiness capabilities utilizing the latest combat scenarios.

An F-16 Fighting Falcon gets towed during a Load Crew of the Quarter Competition at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Oct. 14, 2022. The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a highly maneuverable aircraft that has proven itself in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack.

An F-15 assigned to the assigned to the 433rd Weapons Squadron, U.S. Air Force Weapons School, lands during Black Flag 22-1 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, May 10, 2022. Black Flag 22-1 is focused on developing and validating large force tactics and integration required to deliver combat capability and tactical advantage for the Combat Air Force.

An MQ-9 Reaper assigned to the 163 Attack Wing, March Air Reserve Base approaches runway on the Strategic Expeditionary Landing Field on Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, CA July 21, 2022.The 163d accelerated change by pioneering the first ever refuel of the MQ-9 Reaper using a Forward Area refueling Point provided by the VMM - 764s V-22 Osprey.

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer, assigned to the 37th Bomb Squadron, lands at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., after completing a long-duration CONUS-to-CONUS mission to the Indo-Pacific Aug. 20, 2022. Together with our allies and partners, the United States is dedicated to maintaining a region comprised of nations that adhere to international law.

U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornets assigned to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) are staged on a flight line during Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course 2-22, at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, on April 15, 2022.  WTI 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.

A U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle assigned to the 131st Fighter Squadron, Barnes Air National Guard Base, Massachusetts, takes off during Weapons System Evaluation Program-East 22.08 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, May 17, 2022. WSEP is a formal, two-week evaluation exercise designed to test a squadrons capabilities to conduct live-fire weapons systems during air-to-air combat training missions.

Nevada Air National Guard C-130 Hercules aircraft conduct operations during the Ready Roller exercise at Amedee Army Airfield in Herlong, Calif. October 15, 2022. The exercise was to test capabilities in a simulated contested environment, utilizing the Agile Combat Employment concept

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer aircraft assigned to the 7th Bomb Wing at Dyess Air Force Base performs conducts off-station training Nov. 4, 2022, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. The Lancer integration training with Luke AFB F-35A Lightning II aircraft was conducted to improve interoperability between the different U.S. Air Force airframes.

040727-F-2902B-212. Base: Eielson Air Force Base State: Alaska (AK) Country: United States Of America (USA)

980420-F-4116M-001. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH 1998 Base: Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base State: Al Ahmadi Country: Kuwait (KWT) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds sit on the flight line at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., March 25, 2023. The Thunderbirds perform precision aerial maneuvers demonstrating the capabilities of Air Force high performance aircraft to people throughout the world.

Two U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer aircraft, assigned to the 28th Bomb Wing, taxi at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., after completing a long-duration CONUS-to-CONUS (C2C) mission to the Indo-Pacific Aug. 20, 2022. C2C missions contribute to joint force lethality and deter aggression in the Indo-Pacific by demonstrating USAF ability to operate anywhere in the world at any time in support of the National Defense Strategy.

010827-F-2171A-005. Base: Luke Air Force Base State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: AETC

F-15E Eagle fighter aircraft from the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., are parked on a desert air field during Operation Desert Shield. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Saudi Arabia (SAU)

An F-16C Fighting Falcon assigned to the 64th Aggressor Squadron, takes off for a Red Flag-Nellis 22-3 mission at Nellis Air Force Base, July 11, 2022. During RF-N 22-3 the aggressor nation refines threat replication, applies advanced threats and jamming capabilities and increased threat capabilities to maximize training in non-permissive environments.

A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III with the C-17 West Coast Demo Team conducts an aerial demonstration during the 2022 Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Air Show at MCAS Miramar, San Diego, California, Sept. 24, 2022. The C-17 Demo Team, stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, was established in 2019 and participates in air shows across the United States to showcase the capabilities of the C-17 and represent the Air Force through community outreach. 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.

A U.S. Air Force crew prepares an F-111F fighter aircraft of the 48th Tactical Fighter Wing, RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom, for a mission in support of Operation Desert Storm. The aircraft is armed with laser-guided bombs.. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Saudi Arabia(SAU)

The last four F-16s belonging to the Royal Netherlands Air Force taxi after landing here today at the Morris Air National Guard Base in Tucson. The Dutch were the first in a long line of foreign partners to train at Morris ANG Base, flying an average of 2,000 hours per year in the F-16 and graduating four student pilots every nine months as part of the 148th Fighter Squadron.

An F-35B Lightning II with 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, San Diego, California, conducts an aerial demonstration during the 2022 MCAS Air Show at MCAS Miramar, Sept. 24, 2022. The F-35B Lightning II, flown by aviators with Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 502, is equipped with short takeoff and vertical landing capability that expands its range by allowing it to operate from naval vessels and in austere, expeditionary environments. 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.

An air-to-air left side view of an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft of the 34th Tactical Fighter Squadron dropping Mark 82 500-pound bombs over a range at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. The aircraft is also armed with an AIM-9 Sidewinder missile. Country: Unknown

A US Marine Corps (USMC) AV-8B Harrier jet, Marine Attack Squadron-513 (VMA-513), Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Yuma, Arizona (AZ), takes off from Bagram Air Base (AB), Afghanistan. The Harrier is carrying a Guided Bomb Unit (GBU)-16 and an AN/AAQ-28(V) Litening II Targeting Pod. US Marines are currently deployed to Southwest Asia in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM. Base: Bagram Air Base State: Parwan Country: Afghanistan (AFG)

The Idaho Air National Guards 124th Fighter Wing hosted the biennial A-10 Thunderbolt II competition, Hawgsmoke, Sept. 6-9, 2022. On Sept. 8, nearly 30 A-10s from across the nation took off from Gowen Field's flight line for the competition that took place at Idaho's Saylor Creek Range. At the previous competition, Hawgsmoke 2021, the 124th Fighter Wings 190th Fighter Squadron was recognized as the top pilot team at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. The winning team traditionally hosts the next competition. The 190th Fighter Squadron won all three team awards in 2021: overall champion, top bombing team and top tactical team. The 190th was announced winners of the 2022 Hawgsmoke on Sept. 9, making this overall win the squadrons fourth since 2003. More than 150 pilots, maintainers and weapon teams from approximately 14 active duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve units from across the globe are in the competition.

The 412th Test Wing, in conjunction with NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center, conducted a flyover over the greater Antelope Valley in California ahead of the 2022 Aerospace valley air show. The flyover flew over 55 schools and provided students with a visible representation of lesson plans created by the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School and NASA. The flights also provided crews valuable training time in skills such as formation flying and time on targets.

An F-15 Strike Eagle from the 332d Air Expeditionary Squadron takes off from an undisclosed location, July 6, 2022. The F-15E is a dual-role fighter designed to perform air-to-air and air-to-ground missions with an array of avionics and electronics systems that give it the capability to fight at low altitude, day or night and in all weather.

An F-14A Tomcat aircraft of Fighter Squadron 124 (VF-124) prepares to land. Base: Naval Air Station, Miramar State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron "Thunderbirds" train in Edwards Air Force Base, California, Jan. 22 - Feb. 5, 2024. This marked the third annual Thunderbirds winter training trip, which allows the team to rehearse the show prior to kickstarting the season in March. Air Force

A right side view of an AV-8B Harrier aircraft from Marine Light Attack Squadron 513 (VMA-513) as it hovers above the ground during Operation Comfort. Subject Operation/Series: COMFORT Base: Twentynine Palms State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A U.S. Air Force F-35 from Luke Air Force Base, AZ, takes flight while a T-38 Talon from Tyndall Air Force Base, FL, taxis to a parking spot at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, September 22, 2022. The F-35 and T-38 squadrons use Mountain Home AFB for the terrain and airspace in order to practice simulated combat scenarios.

031008-F-0704A-007. Base: Ellsworth Air Force Base State: South Dakota (SD) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

An F-22 Raptor assigned to the 90th Fighter Squadron takes off from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Aug. 14, 2015., during Red Flag-Alaska. RF-A is a series of Pacific Air Forces commander-directed training exercises for U.S. and international forces to provide joint offensive, counter-air, interdiction, close air support, and large force employment in a simulated combat environment.

An Air Force-variant F-35A Lightning II, flown by Marine Lt. Col. Rodger Hardy with the Defense Contract Management Agency, arrives April 24, 2013, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. The F-35A is a single-seat, single engine, fifth generation, multirole fighter thats able to perform ground attack, reconnaissance and air defense missions with stealth capability.

U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle taxis on the flight line during a routine training mission at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, September 22, 2022. Pilots use continuous training to maintain and perfect air-to-air and air-to-ground combat skills.

Several C-17 Globemaster IIIs, C-130 Hercules and a B-1 Lancer park on the flightline May 31, 2013, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. The C-17s and C-130s participated in the Joint Forcible Entry exercise, which practiced air dropping personnel and equipment in a contested environment.

031008-F-0704A-014. Base: Ellsworth Air Force Base State: South Dakota (SD) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

The U.S. Air force 354th Air Expeditionary Wingand Marine Aircraft Group 12 performed acapabilities demonstration during a pre-plannedreadiness exercise at Marine Corps Air StationIwakuni, Japan, July 7, 2022. The demonstrationincluded five U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornets,eight F-35B Lightning IIs, a KC-130J SuperHercules, 10 U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors and 10F-35A Lightning II aircraft, showcasing a highlevel of readiness and joint service capability insupport of a free and open Indo-Pacific. MCASIwakuni is uniquely qualified to enable the JointForce, be it through providing use of the station'scollocated harbor and airfield, serving as astaging point for non-organic aircraft operations,or any number of other operational activities.

A B-52H Stratofortress aircraft lands with its rear drag chute deployed during exercise Busy Prairie II. Subject Operation/Series: BUSY PRAIRIE II Base: Biggs Army Air Field, El Paso State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

August 26, 2009 - An F-15 Eagle takes off for a Red Flag 09-5 training mission at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.

A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II assigned to the 354th Fighter Squadron sits on the flightline at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Jan. 24, 2023. The Thunderbolt IIs 30mm GAU-8/A Gatling gun can fire 3,900 rounds a minute and can defeat an array of ground targets to include tanks.

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon taxis after landing during RED FLAG-Alaska 22-3 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, July 29, 2022. RF-A is a Pacific Air Forces-sponsored exercise for U.S. and international forces and is designed to provide realistic air combat training and enhance bilateral interoperability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Airmen from the 366th Fighter Wing, Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, participate in simulated events at a forward operating location at Wendover Air Force Base, Utah, May 21, 2022 while participating in the Raging Gunfighter exercise. Raging Gunfighter is an Air Combat Command exercise designed to simulate operating a Lead Wing from an Austere Environment. The purpose of the exercise is to prepare the 366th Fighter Wing and its Airmen for potential future operations in accordance with the National Defense Strategy.

An F-18 Super Hornet from the Navy's Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 192 "Golden Dragons" based out of Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif. taxis the runway at Portland Air National Guard Base (PANGB), Ore. on July 12, 2022 as a 142nd Wing F-15 Eagle takes off in the background. PANGB's F-15 Eagle pilots are participating in two-week long dissimilar air combat training (DACT) with the Golden Dragons, July 11-22.

The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, known as the Thunderbirds, perform for the Montana Military Open House and Air Show in Great Falls, Montana, July 23, 2022. The Thunderbirds perform nearly 70 shows across more than 30 show sites this year.

More than 200 Airmen and 10 A-10 Thunderbolt II Warthogs from the 924th Fighter Group of the 944th Fighter Wing are working out of Marine Corps Base Hawaii, July 26, 2022, during the units participation in Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022. Twenty-six nations, 38 ships, three submarines, more than 170 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 29 to Aug. 4 in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The worlds largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the worlds oceans. RIMPAC 2022 is the 28th exercise in the series that began in 1971.

An Israeli Air Force F-16B Netz taxiing at Nevatim Airbase.

Bell Helicopter Textron Boeing V-22 Osprey VTOL STOL tiltroter aircraft. Flown by the US Marine Corps. The Department of Defense began the V-22 program in 1981. Full-scale development of the V-22 tilt-rotor aircraft began in 1986.

The U.S. Air Force's F-16D Automatic Collision Avoidance Technology (ACAT) aircraft banks over NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center during a March 2009 flight. NASA Dryden worked with the Air Force Research Laboratory in the ACAT Fighter Risk Reduction Project to develop collision avoidance technologies for fighter/attack aircraft that would reduce the risk of ground and mid-air collisions.

980420-F-4116M-007. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH 1998 Base: Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base State: Al Ahmadi Country: Kuwait (KWT) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

A Mirage F-1, F-16 Viper and QF-16 Viper are parked on the flight line, May 5, 2022, on Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. The three aircraft are static displays for the 2022 Legacy of Liberty Air Show and Open House and represent the 49th Wings F-16 training mission and the mission of the 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron, Detachment 1.

An F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 80th Fighter Squadron takes off from the flightline at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Nov. 18, 2022. The 80th Fighter Squadrons executes air combat operations in support of U.S. and ROK interests in the Pacific area of responsibility.

A Fighter Squadron 114 (VF-114) F-14A Tomcat aircraft flies past a hardened aircraft hangar damaged during Operation Desert Storm. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Kuwait (KWT)

DF-ST-89-09411. Base: Luke Air Force Base State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An E-3 Sentry assigned to the 552nd Air Control Wing, Tinker Air Force Base (AFB), Oklahoma, takes off for Red Flag-Nellis 24-1 mission at Nellis AFB, Nevada, Jan. 16, 2024. This Red Flag will provide more complex realistic scenarios concentrated on warfighting in the Indo-Pacific theater.

An air-to-air left rear view of a B-1B bomber being refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft during a flight test. This is the first flight in four years for this particular B-1B. Base: Edwards Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Two F-15C Eagles from the 144th Fighter Wing and two F-22 Raptors from the 3rd Fighter Wing prepare to take off from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, April 18, 2022, during an Aerospae Control Alert training scramble. It has been almost a decade since F-15 Eagles have sat alert in the region, protecting the airspace of the United States and Canada. The overall alert mission and corresponding training missions at JBER focused on fighter integration between fourth-generation F-15 Eagles and fifth-generation F-22 Raptors and their ability to interoperate seamlessly.

The U.S. Navy Blue Angels take off during the 2022 Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Air Show at MCAS Miramar, San Diego, California, Sept. 24, 2022. The Blue Angels, formed in 1946, perform precision flight demonstrations in more than 70 shows at 34 locations throughout the United States each 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.

A Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18F Super Hornet takes off during RED FLAG-Alaska 22-3 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 4, 2022. In addition to providing a unique opportunity for aircrew to train over the 77,000 square mile Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, RF-A also provides training for maintenance and support personnel in sustainment of large-force deployed air operations.

Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, where he toured facilities, viewed aircraft, and met with personnel of the Air Force's Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds

050206-M-0857S-202. Base: Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA)

011017-F-0193C-004. Subject Operation/Series: BRIGHT STAR 01-02 Base: Beni Sueif Air Base Country: Egypt (EGY)

An F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 114th Fighter Wing, takes off during Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course 2-22 at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., April 5, 2022. WTI is a seven-week training event hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (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.

A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 356th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, 354th Air Expeditionary Wing takes off from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, for Agile Combat Employment training, June 7, 2022. ACE operations and exercises are designed to teach and validate new ways to deploy and maneuver assets during a crisis or conflict to operate in contested environments.

McDonnell Douglas F-15C Eagles of the 57th Adversary Tactics Group at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.

A left side view of an A-10A aircraft taking off during exercise Border Star '81. The aircraft is carrying an ALQ-119 electronic countermeasures pod on the right wing and a missile on the left wing. Subject Operation/Series: BORDER STAR '81 Base: Biggs Army Air Field, El Paso State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II student pilot assigned to the 357th Fighter Squadron, takes off at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Nov. 22, 2022. The 357th Dragons conducts all formal course directed aircraft training, day and night weapons and tactics employment, air refueling and dissimilar air combat maneuvers.

Long shot, right side view, F-16C Fighting Falcon, "SP" tail letters (52nd Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany) wing tip mounted AIM-120 AMRAAM, on taxi strip, control tower in background. The Fighting Hawks of the 23rd Fighter Squadron arrive at Nellis Air Force Base to participate in the last Green Flag exercise. Subject Operation/Series: GREEN FLAG Base: Nellis Air Force Base State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Marines with 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and 1st Marine Division, conduct an air assault as part of work ups for Exercise Summer Fury 22, at Camp Roberts, California, July 21, 2022. The exercise is designed to enhance Marine-Air-Ground Task Force integration and increase aviation operations proficiency with realistic, relevant training to ensure the Marine Corps largest aircraft wing remains operationally excellent, interoperable, deployable on short notice and lethal when called into action.

DF-ST-86-11314. Base: Tinker Air Force Base State: Oklahoma (OK) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor assigned to the 3rd Wing takes off from Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport during Polar Force 22-4 in Anchorage, Alaska, April 5, 2022. The F-22 increases lethality against all advanced air threats by minimizing enemy capabilities to track and engage with the jet due to its stealth, integrated avionics, and supercruise characteristics. The F-22s characteristics provide synergistic effects, increasing lethality against all advanced air threats.

A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet takes off from Norwegian Air Base Bodø during Exercise Cold Response 2022, March 31, 2022. The Hornet is assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312, 2d Marine Aircraft Wing. Exercise Cold Response 22 is a biennial exercise that takes place across Norway, with participation from each of its military services, as well as from 26 additional North Atlantic Treaty Organization allied nations and regional partners.

An F-22 Raptor assigned to the 433rd Weapons Squadron takes off from Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, June 30, 2022. A combination of sensor capability, integrated avionics, situational awareness, and weapons provides first-kill opportunity against threats.

A KC-135 Stratotankers assigned to the 151st Air Refueling Wing and two F-35s assigned to Hill Air Force Base fly over Salt Lake City, Utah, during Operation Centennial Contact, June 27, 2023. During the operation, more than 150 aircraft flew above communities around the country and across the world to honor 100 years of air refueling excellence. Aerial refueling serves as a force multiplier, increasing the speed, range, lethality, flexibility and versatility of combat aircraft.

Two A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft assigned to the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron finish conducting strafing runs over the Nevada Test and Training Range, Nevada, Dec. 7, 2022. The A-10 is a simple, effective and survivable twin-engine jet aircraft that can be used against light maritime attack aircraft and all ground targets, including tanks and other armored vehicles.

A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor taxis down the flight line Aug. 12, 2022, during the Kaneohe Bay Air Show at Marine Corps Base Hawaii. The Raptor is assigned to the Hawaii Air National Guards 199th Fighter Squadron at Joint-Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and was operated by members of the F-22 Demonstration Team throughout the air show. The event was held to celebrate the militarys longstanding relationship with the local community.

U.S. Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 462, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing conduct flight operations during Mountain Training Exercise 1-23 (MTX) at Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center, Calif., Oct. 9, 2022. HMH-462 supported 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division during MTX while enhancing self-deployment capability and advancing mission skill progression in a high-altitude, austere environment.

More than 200 Airmen and 10 A-10 Thunderbolt II Warthogs from the 924th Fighter Group of the 944th Fighter Wing are working out of Marine Corps Base Hawaii, July 29, 2022, during the units participation in Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022, July 21-Aug. 4. Twenty-six nations, 38 ships, three submarines, more than 170 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 29 to Aug. 4 in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The worlds largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the worlds oceans. RIMPAC 2022 is the 28th exercise in the series that began in 1971.

A 37th Tactical Fighter Wing F-117 Stealth Fighter aircraft lands during Operation Desert Storm.. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Unknown

A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18D Hornet aircraft with Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA(AW)) 533 taxis the runway after landing at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 28, 2022. U.S. Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121, VMFA-242, and VMFA(AW) 533 conducted live-fire missile exercise to increase weapon proficiency and enhance squadrons combat readiness in the air-to-air environment.

Three F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 64th Aggressor Squadron perform a flyover above Las Vegas, Nevada, in honor of 9/11 on Sept. 11, 2022. The flyover was dedicated to the 2,977 people who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001 and to the more than 6,000 others who were injured.

US Air Force B-1B Lancer

March 11, 2005 - A F/A-18A Hornet, part of the U.S. Navy flight demonstration team, the Blue Angels, maneuvers into position for a photography mission over the desert landscape of the Imperial Valley near El Centro, California. The Blue Angels are completing their intensive winter training schedule on board Naval Air Facility El Centro, California.

An F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 35th Fighter Wing lands at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, during RED FLAG-Alaska (RF-A) 23-1, Oct. 8, 2022. RF-A employs the 18th Aggressor Squadron in simulating combat with the participating members to share its knowledge of adversarial tactics, techniques and procedures.

KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii (July 10, 2022) - U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornets are arranged in a row at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022. Twenty-six nations, 38 ships, four submarines, more than 170 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 29 to Aug. 4 in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The worlds largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the worlds oceans. RIMPAC 2022 is the 28th exercise in the series that began in 1971.

Hill Air Force Base and the local community hosted the 2022 Warriors Over The Wasatch Air & Space Show. The show featured more than a dozen worldclass acts, including an F-35A Lightning II demonstration by the 388th Fighter Wing, and a large assortment of Air Force, Army and Space displays.

US Air Force Colonel Kurt Cichowski, 49th Operations Group Commander, oversees the departure of F-117A Nighthawk aircrafts from Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, in support of Operation DESERT STRIKE. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STRIKE Base: Holloman Air Force Base State: New Mexico (NM) Country: United States Of America (USA)

The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, known as the Thunderbirds, perform at their final show of the 2022 season, Aviation Nation, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Nov. 3, 2022. Since 1953, the Thunderbirds team has served as Americas premier air demonstration squadron, entrusted with the vital mission to recruit, retain and inspire past, present and future Airmen.

Two T-38 Talons from Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, fly in formation with 2 F-16 Falcons from Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, on April 7, 2022. The 4 aircraft joined up together to practice formation flights over southwest Texas before heading back to Laughlin for a presentation to student pilots.

Airmen from the 152nd Communications Flight and 152nd Operations Group participate in the Mountain Flag exercise in Mammoth Lakes, Calif. May 25, 2022. The exercise was executed to prepare Airmen for Agile Combat Employment (ACE), an Air Force concept which enables Airmen to conduct operations from distributed locations at higher and faster levels of complexity.

An A-10C Thunderbolt II from the 74th Fighter Squadron taxis down the runway during Green Flag-West 17-03 Jan. 23, 2017, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. The 74th FS brought 12 A-10s to GFW in support of a joint, large-force, combat-readiness exercise for close air support integration training.

January 11, 2010 - An MQ-1C Sky Warrior unmanned aerial vehicle lands at Camp Taji, Iraq.

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