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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
249 assets in this story
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US Navy Crewmen help carry a wounded shipmate during a mass casualty training exercise on the flight deck of the conventional aircraft carrier USS INDEPENDENCE (CV 62). The INDEPENDENCE is forward deployed to the Persian Gulf to enforce UN sanctions against Iraq. Operation SOUTHRN WATCH, 21 February 1998. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH Base: USS Independence (CV 62)
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DF-ST-89-00911. Subject Operation/Series: SHADOW HAWK Base: Al Jafr Country: Jordan (JOR)
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Ground crewmen assemble a Cochran elevator loader to be used for loading equipment aboard a 747 cargo aircraft during Operation Ocean Venture '82. Subject Operation/Series: OCEAN VENTURE '82 Base: Fort Campbell State: Kentucky (KY) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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Audience members listen to a speaker during the retirement ceremony for the KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft dubbed "City of Atwater." The aircraft, parked at right, will be on display at the Castle Air Museum and is the forty-fourth plane to be added to the museum. Base: Castle Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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STAFF SGT. Tim Patchell from the 436th Air Wing, Dover AFB, Del., conducts a pre-flight check on his aircraft at Moi International Airport. U.S. military cargo aircraft fly daily relief missions to Goma, Zaire to help the Rwandan refugees. Subject Operation/Series: SUPPORT HOPE Base: Mombasa Country: Kenya (KEN)
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Officer with the 1st Organizational Maintenance Squadron. Officer with the 1st Organizational Maintenance Squadron. "MacDill AFB, FlaAn officer with the 1st Organizational Maintenance Squadron checks the maintenance records of an F-4E with his crew chief." Photographer: Manuel A. Collaso
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CPT Bob Buehler of the 58th Tactical Fighter Squadron checks the nose of an AIM-9 Sidewinder missile as he conducts a preflight check of his F-15C Eagle aircraft during a Coronet Phaser deployment. The Coronet Phaser program tests the readiness of U.S. based units to deploy to and operate in Europe. Base: Canadian Forces Base, Lahr Country: West Germany (FRG)
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A catapult officer gives the launch signal to an aircraft as flight operations are conducted aboard the aircraft as flight operations are conducted aboard the aircraft carrier USS SARATOGA (CV-60) during Operation Desert Storm. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Red Sea
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970301-F-2352G-006. Subject Operation/Series: TANDEM THRUST '97 Base: Townsville State: Queensland Country: Australia (AUS)
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CAPT. G.B. McEwen, left, commanding officer of the amphibious assault ship USS TRIPOLI (LPH-10), points out damage to the vessel as it sits in dry dock awaiting repairs. The damage was inflicted by an Iraqi mine that the ship struck while serving as a mine-clearing platform in the northern Persian Gulf on February 18 during Operation Desert Storm. The TRIPOLI was able to continue operations after damage control crews stopped the flooding caused by the explosion. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Base: Bahrain Country: Bahrain(BHR)
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Marines run laps on the deck of the amphibious assault ship USS NASSAU (LHA-4). Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)
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DN-ST-87-06908. Country: Unknown
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Measurements are taken before loading a mobile Personnel Support for Contingency Operations (PERSCO) van and generator aboard a C-130 Hercules aircraft. Base: Scott Air Force Base State: Illinois (IL) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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Native Alaskan scouts, from the Army National Guard, try out their snowmobiles during Exercise Jack Frost '76. Subject Operation/Series: JACK FROST '76 Base: Eielson Air Force Base State: Alaska (AK) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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An Aerospace Audiovisual Service crew of videographers and photographers set up an Immarsat satellite transmitter on the sand during Operation DESERT STORM in Saudi Arabia. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Unknown
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Members of the British Air Force from Lyneham, Great Britain, off load equipment that will be used to help augment Operation Support Hope. Subject Operation/Series: SUPPORT HOPE Base: Rwanda International Airport State: Kigali Country: Rwanda (RWA)
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DF-ST-88-04647. Base: Goldwater Range State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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Aviation ordnancemen of Attack Squadron 55 (VA-55) move a bomb across the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67) as planes are readied for strikes on Iraqi targets at the onset of Operation Desert Storm. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Red Sea
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Reserve first lieutenant G.A. Wessels farmer from 322 squadron during Quick-Reaction Alert (QRA) at the Leeuwarden airbase. After a telephone call, he rushes to his Starfighter that is ready in the shelter.
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SSGT Chris Potwin, Detachment 3, 1361st Audiovisual Squadron, discusses the operations of the Aerospace Audiovisual Service television van with MAJ Guyitt, commander, Detachment 3, 1361st Audiovisual Squadron. Base: Rhein-Main Air Base Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)
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Members of the Aviation Brigade, 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized), wrap a helicopter in preparation for shrink wrapping during SEDRE. Subject Operation/Series: SEA EMERGENCY DEPLOYMENT READINESS EXERCISE Base: Fort Stewart State: Georgia (GA) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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Members of the Japan Aircraft Company remove the protective covers from two A-37 Dragonfly aircraft prior to reassembly. The aircraft will then be flown to Osan Air Base, South Korea, where they will be used as maintenance trainers. Base: Usnalf, Kisarazu Country: Japan (JPN)
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Sailors aboard the ammunition ship USS SANTA BARBARA (AE 28) struggle with a cargo trolley during an underway replenishment with the aircraft carrier USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV 67). Base: USS Santa Barbara (AE 28) Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)
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Crewful gestures to the kite while starting up an F-104G Starfighter at Volkel airbase.
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NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY SOUDA BAY, Greece (July 18, 2022) File photo from Nov. 14, 2013 by Paul Farley captioned, Aviation Boatswain's Mate Handler 2nd Class Dwayne Thomas, assigned to U.S. Naval Support Activity Souda Bay Air Operations Department Transient Line Division directs a C-37 Gulfstream aircraft following its arrival. The aircraft is carrying the Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus”. Naval Support Activity Souda Bay is an operational ashore base that enables U.S., Allied, and Partner nation forces to be where they are needed when they are needed to preserve security and stability in the European, African, and Central Command areas of responsibility.
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A Construction Battalion Unit 412 (CBU-412) builder uses a pneumatic nail driver to anchor studs in a frame as his coworker holds the wood in place. The builders are constructing a window frame for the Marine Detachment Club. Base: Naval Weapons Station Charleston State: South Carolina (SC) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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View of a WB-47E, "City of Savannah Hurricane Hunter I". View of a WB-47E, "City of Savannah Hurricane Hunter I". "Hunter AFB, GaA view of the WB-47E "City of Savannah Hurricane Hunter I," assigned to the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, during dedication ceremonies. The modified B-47 bomber contains electronic equipment in place of bombs and tail guns."
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GUNNER's Mate SEAMAN (GMGSN) William F. Miller positions the Mark 33 3-inch/.50 caliber twin mount aboard the amphibious assault ship USS TRIPOLI (LPH 10) during operations near Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines. Base: USS Tripoli (LPH 10) Country: South China Sea
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Quick Reaction Alert at the Leeuwarden airbase with first lieutenant kite G.H.M.s. Poolker (born 1950) of 323 squadron.Scramble.The kite is already in the cockpit of the Lockheed F-104G Starfighter.Crew-Chief, Sergeant de Jong assists with flight preparation.
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DF-ST-86-09414. Base: Vandenberg Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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DF-ST-86-10575. Country: Colombia (COL)
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DF-ST-87-06944. Base: Rhein-Main Air Base Country: West Germany (FRG)
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DF-ST-85-13515. Base: Rhein-Main Air Base Country: West Germany (FRG)
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Aviation ordnancemen of Attack Squadron 46 (VA-46) load AGM-88A HARM high-speed anti-radiation missiles on the wing pylon of an A-7E Corsair II aircraft. The Corsair and other planes aboard the aircraft carrier USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67) are being readied for strikes on Iraqi targets at the onset of Operation Desert Storm. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Red Sea
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TSGT Tony Biondo is carried by stretcher to a waiting helicopter, after a parachute jump at the Flight Test Center. His main parachute malfunctioned, causing him a broken thigh bone upon landing. Base: Edwards Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The STS-79 astronauts arrive at KSC's Shuttle Landing Facility in their T-38 aircraft from Johnson Space Center in Houston. From left are Mission Specialists John E. Blaha and Tom Akers; Commander William F. Readdy; PIlot Terrence W. Wilcutt; and Mission Specialists Jay Apt and Carl E. Walz. The astronauts are at KSC for the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test, a dress rehearsal for launch. They are scheduled to lift off around Sept. 12 on Mission STS-79, the fourth docking between the U.S. Shuttle and Russian Space Station Mir.
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DN-ST-89-07389. Base: Naval Air Station, Pensacola State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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SGT. Patricia Sheerin and MAJ. Joe Williams of the 81st Tactical Fighter Wing, RAF Brentwaters, England, preflight an A-10A Thunderbolt II aircraft prior to a practice bomb run during Operation Gunsmoke '81. Subject Operation/Series: GUNSMOKE '81 Base: Nellis Air Force Base State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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A crew member aboard the amphibious command ship USS BLUE RIDGE (LCC-19) places 7.62mm cartridges for an M-60 machine gun in an ammunition belt during small arms qualifications. The BLUE RIDGE is among the U.S. Navy ships deployed to the region in support of Operation Desert Shield. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Unknown
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SSGT Jamie Keenan examines the shipping tag on a metal animal crate containing a new dog, upon its arrival at the Department of Defense Dog Center. Base: Lackland Air Force Base State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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A sailor prepares his oxygen breathing apparatus (OBA) prior to a hangar deck firefighting drill aboard the aircraft carrier USS CONSTELLATION (CV 64) during PACEX '89. Subject Operation/Series: PACEX '89 Base: USS Constellation (CV 64) Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)
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BM2 Billy Williams (left) and BM1 Michael Paridon, both assigned to Deck Department aboard USS NIMITZ (CVN 68), splice a mooring line in preparation for pulling into port. Nimitz is deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of operation Southern Watch. BM2 Billy Williams (left) and BM1 Michael Paridon, both assigned to Deck Department aboard USS NIMITZ (CVN 68), splice a mooring line in preparation for pulling into port. Nimitz is deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of operation Southern Watch.
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DF-ST-89-07778. Base: Avino Air Base Country: Italy (ITA)
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The worship of a female lieutenant of the Royal Air Force.
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DF-ST-85-02149. Country: Unknown
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DF-ST-86-10101. Base: Mexico City State: Distrito Federal Country: Mexico (MEX)
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The Second Indochina War, known in America as the Vietnam War, was a Cold War era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of South Vietnam, supported by the U.S. and other anti-communist nations. The U.S. government viewed involvement in the war as a way to prevent a communist takeover of South Vietnam and part of their wider strategy of containment. The North Vietnamese government viewed the war as a colonial war, fought initially against France, backed by the U.S., and later against South Vietnam, which it regarded as a U.S. puppet state. U.S. military advisors arrived beginning in 1950. U.S. involvement escalated in the early 1960s, with U.S. troop levels tripling in 1961 and tripling again in 1962. U.S. combat units were deployed beginning in 1965. Operations spanned
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A Marine participates in the "Road Trials" portion of the Military Motorcycle Replacement test, has to be able to navigate and maneuver a standard road test with the larger and more powerful bikes. This was conducted at the Motorcycle Training Course aboard Camp Pendleton, California. Base: Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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An M-878 tractor truck sits on the pier before being loaded aboard the maritime pre-positioning ship PFC. James Anderson Jr. (T-AK-3002). The ship will transport its cargo to Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Desert Shield. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Base: Newport News State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)