Modern Military Aircraft Operations

Vivid images of military personnel involved in loading ordnance and maintaining aircraft across various operations and exercises.

Military personnel loading bombs under the belly of a jet fighter

Military personnel loading bombs under the belly of a jet fighter

An aerial-delivered mine is uploaded on a B-52 Stratofortress aircraft during exercise Team Spirit '82. Subject Operation/Series: TEAM SPIRIT '82 Country: South Korea

DF-ST-85-03495. Base: Cannon Air Force Base State: New Mexico (NM) Country: United States Of America (USA)

During CALFEX IV weapons loading personnel assigned to the 343rd AMU, Eielson AFB, Alaska load bombs on a A-10 aircraft during the joint Army and Air Force combined live fire exercise at the Yukon Command Training Site. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Country: Unknown

DA-ST-86-06284. Country: Unknown

The missile crew from the 416th Bomb Wing, position and mount three Air-Launched Cruise Missiles to the pylon of a B-52G Stratofortress aircraft. Base: Griffiss Air Force Base State: New York (NY) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A crew member of a CH-3 helicopter wears Chemical Warfare Defense Equipment (CWDE) while participating in a new generation equipment test. Base: Kirtland Air Force Base State: New Mexico (NM) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A1C Aaron Franklin loads 7.62mm shells into the weapon system of an OV-10A Bronco aircraft during munitions loading competition Sabre Spirit I. Subject Operation/Series: SABRE SPIRIT I Base: Osan Air Base Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

DF-ST-86-09780. Base: Clark Air Base State: Luzon Country: Philippines (PHL)

DF-ST-86-13008. Base: Blytheville Air Force Base State: Arkansas (AR) Country: United States Of America (USA)

SGT. Steve Cox, top, 10th Military Airlift Squadron, works on a propeller of a C-23A Sherpa aircraft as SENIOR AIRMAN Robert Morrison inspects the engine. Base: Zweibrucken Air Base Country: Deutschland / Germany(DEU)

A civilian employee stands beside a 101st Combat Group UH-1H Iroquois helicopter at staging area. The unit's equipment is being loaded aboard the Saudi Arabian roll-on/roll-off cargo ship SAUDI HAIL which will transport it to the Middle East in support of Operation Desert Shield. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Base: Jacksonville State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Wash crews wash retardant off a C-130 Hercules. The wash crews are always dedicated and essential personnel.(Exact date unknown). Subject Operation/Series: WESTERN WILDFIRES Base: Boise State: Idaho (ID) Country: United States Of America (USA)

STAFF SGT. James Wilson straps AGTS-36 Aerial GUNNERY Target Sets to a weapons trailer on the flightline during competition William Tell '94. The AGTS-36 is towed behind a specially modified F-15 Fighter aircraft to provide the competing teams something at which to shoot their 20mm lead. ammunition at. Base: Tyndall Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A UH-1 Iroquois helicopter is guided into the cargo hold of a C-130 Hercules aircraft. The helicopter is being transported to Honduras to participate in the joint United States/Honduran exercise AHUAS TARA (BIG PINE). Subject Operation/Series: AHUAS TARA (BIG PINE) Base: Howard Air Force Base Country: Panama (PAN)

SENIOR AIRMAN Mongo, loadmaster from the 18th Airlift Squadron, McGuire AFB, NJ, marshals equipment to the C-141B Starlifter aircraft. The aircraft is to carry the first Marines (33) to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in support of the recent problems in Haiti. Base: Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DN-ST-85-05578. Base: Naval Amphib Base, Little Creek State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-ST-86-05046. Subject Operation/Series: TRIAD '84 Base: Whenuapai Air Base Country: New Zealand (NZL)

Three 1ST Tactical Fighter Wing munitions personnel load an AIM-9 Sidewinder missile onto an aircraft wing during the air-to-air weapons meet William Tell '86. Subject Operation/Series: WILLIAM TELL '86 Base: Tyndall Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A pilot climbs into an F-15 Eagle aircraft for a flight. The pilot is from the 18th Tactical Fighter Wing, involved in exercise Pacific Consort. Subject Operation/Series: PACIFIC CONSORT Base: Raaf Williamstown Country: Australia (AUS)

Personnel load a joint tactical information distribution system (JTIDS) pod onto an F-4 Phantom II aircraft during a training exercise. Base: Dothan State: Alabama (AL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An Air Force Staff SGT helps MAJ Bill Walsch into his A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft during exercise Coronet Sail. Subject Operation/Series: CORONET SAIL Base: Lechfeld Air Base Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)

DF-ST-90-01663. Base: Dyess Air Force Base State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Members of the ground crew move a maintenance cart into position next to a B-52 Stratofortress aircraft parked on the flight line. The B-52 is being serviced under the Strategic Air Command Recovery Oriented Aircraft Maintenance (ROAM) system. The ROAM system ensures that aircraft are serviced as soon as they complete a mission. Base: Wurtsmith Air Force Base State: Michigan (MI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Marine Corps CPL Thomas Ciminelli (right) and LCPL Dwayne Arrington load MK-83 1000 pound bombs onto an F/A-18C Hornet attached to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251 (VMFA-251) aboard the aircraft carrier USS GEORGE WASHINTON (CVN 73). George Washington and VMFA 251 are deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH Base: USS George Washington (CVN 73) Country: At Sea

Faulty Started Replaced on B-57. Faulty Started Replaced on B-57. "Phan Rang AB, South VietnamSgt. W.C. Wilson, Sgt. Gary S. Harwell and Airman 1st Class John D. Storlien replace a faulty starter unit on a U.S. Air Force B-57 of the 8th Tactical Bomber Squadron." Photographer: Sgt. Christopher G. Bunge

An M4K rough terrain forklift is used to push an 82nd Airborne Division M102 105 mm howitzer onto an Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft at Keystone Airfield during Exercise SAND EAGLE '89. Subject Operation/Series: SAND EAGLE '89 Base: Saint Mary'S State: Georgia (GA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DN-ST-85-03938. Subject Operation/Series: INTENSE LOOK Base: Rota Country: Spain (ESP)

DF-ST-86-09186. Base: Raaf Williamtown Country: Australia (AUS)

Corporal Antonio Medina, USMC, an Aviation Ordnance Loader from the Marine Corps Air Station, Beaufort, South Carolina, loads inert tactical bombs on an F/A-18 Hornet at the Royal Australian Air Force Base Amberley in Queensland, Australia during exercise Crocodile '99 a combined U.S./Australian exercise. Subject Operation/Series: CROCODILE '99 Base: Raaf Amberley State: Queensland Country: Australia (AUS)

SENIOR AIRMAN Michael Minnick, 952nd Aircraft Generation Squadron, operates an H-1 heater during preflight operations on an E-3 AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) aircraft.(Published in AIRMAN Magazine May 1996 ) Exact Date Shot Unknown. Base: Tinker Air Force Base State: Oklahoma (OK) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-ST-86-05018. Subject Operation/Series: TRIAD '84 Base: Ohakea Air Base Country: New Zealand (NZL)

Maintenance crew members work on the tail rotor of a Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 264 (HMM-264) CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter aboard the combat stores hip USS SAN DIEGO (AFS-6). The helicopter will be used during vertical replenishment operations between the SAN DIEGO and the amphibious assault ship USS GUADALCANAL (LPH-7). Supplies will later be transferred ashore for use by Marines taking part in Operation Provide Comfort, an Allied effort to aid Kurdish refugees who fled the forces of Saddam Hussein in northern Iraq. Subject Operation/Series: PROVIDE COMFORT Country: Turkey (TUR)

DF-ST-89-02690. Subject Operation/Series: COPE NORTH Base: Des Moines Municipal Airport State: Iowa (IA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Colonel-General Kostyantyn Morozov, Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, and LT. Eric Meyer, USN, a pilot with Strike Fighter Squadron 106 (VFA-106), are shown seated in an F/A-18D Hornet aircraft during the final preflight check off. They are preparing for a flight from Naval Air Station Norfolk out to the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN-73) operating off the Virginia Capes. Base: Norfolk State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-ST-85-05014. Subject Operation/Series: TEAM SPIRIT '84 Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

A crew member prepares to secure the rear hatch of an AAV7A1 amphibious assault vehicle loaded with members of the 2nd Marine Division on the tank landing ship USS BOULDER (LST-1190). It is one of the 19 AAV7's participating in an amphibious assault on Onslow Beach as part of exercise OCEAN VENTURE '92. Subject Operation/Series: OCEAN VENTUE '92 Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

A video cameraman sets up his camera and tripod near a pair of CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters parked on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS TARAWA (LHA-1) during the combined Thai/U.S. joint exercise Thalay Thai '89. Subject Operation/Series: THALAY THAI '89 Country: Gulf Of Thailand

DF-ST-85-04984. Subject Operation/Series: CORNET GAUNTLET '83 Base: Rygge Air Station Country: Norway (NOR)

A US Air Force crew chief prepare an AIM-7 Sidewinder on their F-16 aircraft. Also visible are AIM-9 Sparrow missile and a laser guided bomb for NATO airstrikes against the Bosnian Serbs. Subject Operation/Series: DELIBERATE FORCE Base: Aviano Air Base State: Pordenone Country: Italy (ITA)

A fire control technician performs preventive maintenance on one of the 20mm Mark 15 Phalanx close-in weapons systems (CIWS) on the amphibious assault ship USS GUAM (LPH-9). Country: Adriatic Sea

Personnel from the 345th and 21st Tactical Airlift Squadrons load Christmas packages into the hold of a C-130E Hercules aircraft. Donated gifts are being parachuted onto islands in Micronesia. Base: Andersen Air Base State: Guam (GU) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Military personnel perform maintenance on an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft during exercise Bright Star '82. Subject Operation/Series: BRIGHT STAR '82 Base: Cairo Country: Egypt (EGY)

Lance Cpl. Nicholas Presley and Sgt. Cameron Johnson, assigned to the White Knights of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 165 (REIN) of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, remove an engine from a CH-53 Super Stallion helicopter to perform scheduled maintenance aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu. Peleliu is on a scheduled 2010 deployment to the western Pacific Ocean.

A team member from the 315th Military Airlift Wing cleans and aircraft canopy during Volant Rodeo '82. Subject Operation/Series: VOLANT RODEO '82 Base: Pope Air Force Base State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

SSGT Michael Bolton, 110th Fighter Group, Battle Creek, Michigan, adjusts the gauges of a liquid oxygen tank. The 110th Fighter Group is deployed to Aviano to relieve the 81st Fighter Squadron of Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, in time for the Christmas holidays. The 81st and the 110th are deployed to Aviano to enforce the United Nations no-fly zone over war-torn Bosnia-Herzegovina. Subject Operation/Series: DENY FLIGHT Base: Aviano Air Base State: Pordenone Country: Italy (ITA)

DF-ST-89-03652. Base: Palmerola Air Base Country: Honduras (HND)

US Air Force MASTER Sergeant Robert Perry loads a dropsonde sensor into a spring-loaded gun, inside a USAF WC-130 Hercules aircraft as Technical Sergeant Tony Hlavac (seated) watches. Both are assigned to the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, (Hurricane Hunters) Keesler AFB, Mississippi. From AIRMAN Magazine December 1995 article "Hunting Season". Base: Hurlburt Field State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Colombian Air Force MAJ Julio Gonzales watches as two maintenance crewmen perform a preflight check on a 24th Tactical Air Support Squadron (24th TASS) OA-37B Dragonfly aircraft. The 24th TASS and the 24th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, both based at Howard Air Force Base, Panama, are on a ten-day deployment to cross-train with the Colombian Air Force. Base: Barranquilla Country: Colombia (COL)

Personnel from the 23rd Fighter Group (FG) and the 3rd Aerial Port Squadron at Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina, along with crew members from the 436th Airlift Wing at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, push a B-4 Maintenance Stand up the ramp in the early morning hours. Tons of support equipment and 60 23rd Fighter Group personnel, deployed to the Kosovo area of operations to maintain and support four A-10A Warthog Thunderbolt II attack aircraft of the 23rd FG that departed Pope AFB the previous morning. Base: Pope Air Force Base State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DN-ST-89-11370. Base: Nas, Alameda State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-ST-85-12486. Base: Aviano Air Base State: Pordenone Country: Italy (ITA)

Two flight deck crewmen attach a bridle to an S-2E Tracker aircraft to prepare it for a catapult takeoff from the Brazilian aircraft carrier MINAS GERAIS (A 11) during Operation UNITAS XXV. Subject Operation/Series: UNITAS XXV Base: Minas Gerais (A 11)

Members of a combat logistics support squadron assess damage to an F-4 Phantom II aircraft during an aircraft battle damage repair exercise. The squadron members are equipped with nuclear-biological-chemical warfare gear. Base: Davis-Monthan Air Force Base State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Four aviation ordnancemen work on a load of AIM-7 Sparrow III missiles on a weapons skid as the forward magazine elevator descends below the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN-72). A Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 135 (VAQ-135) EA-6B Prowler aircraft is at right. Country: Caribbean Sea

DF-ST-85-10532. Base: Peterson Air Force Base State: Colorado (CO) Country: United States Of America (USA)

970216-F-8748C-006. Subject Operation/Series: ASSURED LIFT Base: Abidjan Felix/Houphouet/Boigny I Country: Cote D' Ivoire (CIV)

021002-N-9593M-001. Base: USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72)

Wearing protective hood gear, members of the 18th Wing Maintenance Squadron take cover behind sandbags during a mock attack on Kadena Air Base flight line. Base: Kadena Air Base State: Okinawa Country: Japan (JPN)

A 10K forklift off loads equipment from a C-141 Starlifter. The aircraft, from the 437th Airlift Wing, Charleston AFB, S.C., is delivering relief cargo bound for Goma, Zaire to help the Rwandan refugees. Subject Operation/Series: SUPPORT HOPE Base: Mombasa Country: Kenya (KEN)

DN-ST-89-07360. Subject Operation/Series: GALLANT EAGLE 88 Base: Naval Air Station, Fallon State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

The missile crew from the 416th Bomb Wing, transports an Air-Launched Cruise Missiles for mounting to the pylon of a B-52G Stratofortress aircraft. Base: Griffiss Air Force Base State: New York (NY) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-ST-86-10368. Subject Operation/Series: CORAL SEA 85 Base: Raaf Williamtown Country: Australia (AUS)

GEN Duran of the Ecuador Army prepares for a flight on an ultra-light aircraft during his visit to U.S. Army South (USARSO). Base: Fort Clayton Country: Panama (PAN)

The plane captain marshals an F/A-18 Hornet striker fighter aircraft from Marine Fighter-Attack Squadron 333 (VMFA-333) onto the taxiway during Operation Desert Shield. In the background are other Hornets from Marine squadrons.. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Unknown

AIM-7 Sparrow missiles are prepared on the flight line for loading on F-4 Phantom II aircraft. Base: Tyndall Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Aviation ordnancemen from Attack Squadron 75 (VA-75) hoist another Mark 82 500-pound bomb up to a multiple ejector rack on the wing of one of their squadron's A-6E Intruder aircraft on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67) during Operation Desert Storm. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Red Sea

PFC Brian Williams, welder and Private Jacqueline Baker, body restoration both from the 43rd Engineers, attached to the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment (ACR), are working to restore a WWII M-20 armored car which will go on display at the 3rd Cavalry Museum. Base: Fort Carson State: Colorado (CO) Country: United States Of America (USA)

What An 8Th Air Force P-51 Might Use Up In A Day Of Around-The-Clock Duties As A Bomber Escort England

A pallet of cargo is offloaded from a 6th Air Refueling Squadron, 22nd Air Refueling Wing, KC-10A Extender aircraft. The cargo is being delivered to the air base as part of a Military Airlift Command channel cargo mission. Base: Kadena Air Base State: Okinawa Country: Japan (JPN)

Preparations are made to load a fully outfitted rubber raft aboard a C-130 Hercules aircraft. Base: Naval Station, Subic Bay State: Luzon Country: Philippines (PHL)

DN-SC-90-04055. Base: USS Dwight D Eisenhower (CVN 69) Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

DF-ST-89-03651. Base: Palmerola Air Base Country: Honduras (HND)

A member of the 45th Medical Company prepares for the loading of a simulated casualty into a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter on the flight deck of the hospital ship USNS COMFORT (T-AH-20) during a drill in support of Operation Desert Shield. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Unknown

Marines working on the flight deck of the aviation logistic ship USNS WRIGHT (T-AVB 3) carry a box of maintenance equipment over to a waiting UH-1N Iroquois helicopter during exercise OCEAN VENTURE '88. Subject Operation/Series: OCEAN VENTURE '88 Country: Caribbean Sea

DF-ST-87-11224. Base: Naval Air Facility, El Centro State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DA-ST-85-02171. Subject Operation/Series: URGENT FURY Base: Pope Air Force Base State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A 30mm ammunition loader is moved across the flight line in preparation for loading into a GAU-8/A Avenger cannon on an A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft (background) during Exercise Opportune Journey 84. Subject Operation/Series: OPPORTUNE JOURNEY 84 Base: Naval Air Station, Barbers Point State: Hawaii (HI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

7th Airborne Command and Control Squadron Depart From a C-130. 7th Airborne Command and Control Squadron Depart From a C-130. "Udorn AB, ThailandUpon completion of a mission, U.S. Air Force personnel of the 7th Airborne Command and Control Squadron depart from a C-130 aircraft." Photographer: Staff Sgt. W.E. Madison

A female Navy ground crewman directs an SH-2F Sea Sprite helicopter on the flight line. Country: Unknown

Technical Sergeant Paul Page of the 1352nd Audiovisual Squadron (1352nd AVS) mounts a video camera on a pod that will be placed on an aircraft during the joint South Korean/United States exercise TEAM SPIRIT '89. Subject Operation/Series: TEAM SPIRIT '89 Base: Osan Air Base Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

Members of the 2nd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron and the 63rd Medical Evacuation Squadron remove injured sailors from a UH-60 Black Hawk (Blackhawk) helicopter. The men will be flown to Andrews Air Force Base, Md., and then to Brooke Army Medical Center in Texas for treatment of burns they received when their ship, the guided missile frigate USS SAMUEL B. ROBERTS (FFG-58), struck a mine while on escort duty in the Persian Gulf. Base: Rhein-Main Air Base Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)

Crew members of Strike Fighter Squadron 83 (VFA-83) talk with the pilot of an F/A-18C strike-fighter aircraft aboard the aircraft carrier USS SARATOGA (CV-60) during Operation Desert Storm. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Base: USS Saratoga(CV 60) Country: Red Sea

5th Combat Communications Group (CCG) members set up a mobile satellite terminal during exercise PROUD PHANTOM. Subject Operation/Series: PROUD PHANTOM Base: Cairo West Country: Egypt (EGY)

Changing Casettes of the Orpheus Pod under a Lockheed F-104G Starfighter of 306 Squadron.

DF-ST-87-12720. Subject Operation/Series: COPE THUNDER '86-3 Base: Clark Air Base State: Luzon Country: Philippines (PHL)

DF-ST-86-11300. Base: Tinker Air Force Base State: Oklahoma (OK) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-ST-90-00426. Base: Davis-Monthan Air Force Base State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Northrop NF-5A Freedom Fighter.The kite is ready to start the engines.

DF-ST-86-04920. Subject Operation/Series: COMMANDO WEST VIII Base: Tahkli Air Base Country: Thailand (THA)

US Air Force weapon loaders load an AGM-123 Skipper air to surface missile onto aircraft, prior to take off for NATO air strikes on Serbian targets surrounding Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina. Subject Operation/Series: DELIBERATE FORCE Base: Aviano Air Base State: Pordenone Country: Italy (ITA)

SSGT Dave Hillman and CPT Rick Sample man the control panel of a transporter-erector-launcher at the Integrated Maintenance Facility. The Air Force is conducting a test and evaluation program for the ground-launched cruise missile's weapon system. State: Utah (UT) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Aviation ordnancemen aboard the aircraft carrier USS CORAL SEA (CV-43) load Mark 82 500-pound bombs on an Attack Squadron 55 (VA-55) A-6E Intruder aircraft prior to an air strike on targets in Libya. Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

A Seabee from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5 (NMCB-5) uses an acetylene torch as he helps to repair a trench digger at a camp under construction in northern Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Saudi Arabia (SAU)

Supplies are offloaded from a Military Airlift Command C-5A Galaxy aircraft during Operation Desert Shield. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Saudi Arabia (SAU)

Cadet L. Deitz holding Bomb near Fighter Plane at the Naval Air Base, Corpus Christi, Texas, USA, photograph by Howard R. Hollem, U.S. Office of War Information, August 1942

DN-SC-87-00492. Base: USS Saratoga (CV 60)

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