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Silhouetted Military Aircraft at Sunset

A collection of silhouetted military aircraft, including jets and helicopters, against dramatic sunset backgrounds. The images convey a sense of calm and anticipation in training settings.

USA, Washington State, Whidbey Island, Coupeville, Fort Casey State Park
USA, Washington State, Whidbey Island, Coupeville, Fort Casey State Park
150 assets in this story
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A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III, from the 437th Wing out of Joint Base Charleston, S.C., begins its takeoff from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Dec. 5, 2022. The C-17 Globemaster III aircraft routinely performs strategic airlift missions that transport troops and cargo throughout the world.
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U.S. Coast Guardsmen from Port Security Unit 309 and U.S. Airmen from the 375th Logistics Readiness Squadron load a Transportable Port Security Boat onto a C-17A Globemaster III on Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, Sept. 23, 2022. The PSU 309 can be deployed worldwide within 96 hours of recall and respond to domestic missions, including humanitarian assistance.
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President Barack Obama boards Marine One at the Hope landing zone for departure en route to Chicago O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Ill., Feb. 19, 2015.
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A nighttime view of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) South Camp. Base: Sharm El Sheikh Country: Egypt (EGY)
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A runner nears the half-way point of the Army 10-miler at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, as a C-130 takes off. The 189th Combat Service Support Battalion sponsored the run so that coalition Servicmembers, civlian employees, and contractors at Kandahar could join the thousands of other runners around the world taking part in the 2008 Army 10-miler.
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220623-N-UD000-1031 ATLANTIC OCEAN (June 23, 2022) Aircraft assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7 are secured to the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), June 23, 2022. The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is underway completing a certification exercise to increase U.S. and allied interoperability and warfighting capability before a future deployment. The George H.W. Bush CSG is an integrated combat weapons system that delivers superior combat capability to deter, and if necessary, defeat America's adversaries in support of national security. Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7 is the offensive air and strike component of CSG-10 and the George H.W. Bush CSG. The squadrons of CVW-7 are Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 143, VFA-103, VFA-86, VFA-136, Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 140, Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 121, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5, and Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 46.
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A view from inside an aircraft, of an Air Force UH-1 Iroquois helicopter as it lands. Base: Andrews Air Force Base State: Maryland (MD) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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A Nike Ajax missile sits on a launcher silhouetted against the Sun in the missile park outside of the museum at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.
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U.S. Army AH-64 Apache helicopters assigned to 12th Combat Aviation Brigade provide fire support for U.S. Army paratroopers with 173rd Airborne Brigade during a night iteration of a combined arms live fire exercise on a maneuver range at the Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Sept. 22, 2022. The 173rd Airborne Brigade is the U.S. Army's Contingency Response Force in Europe, providing rapidly deployable forces to the United States European, African, and Central Command areas of responsibility. Forward deployed across Italy and Germany, the brigade routinely trains alongside NATO allies and partners to build partnerships and strengthen the alliance.
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A U.S. Air Force C-5M Super Galaxy cargo aircraft, assigned to the 439th Airlift Wing, Westover Air Reserve Base, Massachusetts, arrives and unloads cargo at Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, Peru, June 27, 2023 during exercise Resolute Sentinel 23. The 439th Airlift Wing is capable of providing worldwide air movement of troops, supplies, equipment and medical patients. Support units provide communications, engineering, logistical, medical and security requirements.
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A B-25 Mitchell Panchito stands static before the Shaw Air & Space Expo at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, April 2, 2022. Shaw AFB was host to spectacular aerial demonstrations, static displays and featured the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron Thunderbirds, giving the Sumter community the opportunity to witness firsthand the capabilities of the armed forces.
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Paratroopers assigned to the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division jump onto Geronimo Drop Zone on Fort Polk, L.A., Nov. 2, 2022. The Joint Readiness Training Center rotation serves to enhance brigade and supporting unit's deployment readiness.
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The Coast Guard Air Station Houston MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew conducts night flight operations aboard the Famous-class medium endurance cutter USCGC Mohawk (WMEC 913) in the Atlantic Ocean, Aug. 6, 2022. USCGC Mohawk is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Africa area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied, and partner interests.
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Civilian contractors carry the TRV-150 onto a platform during Project Convergence - Capstone 4 at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 27, 2024. PC-C4 is a U.S. Army hosted Joint and Multinational, two-phase experiment to transform the Army and ensure war-winning readiness. The TRV-150 is designed to provide rapid and assured, highly automated aerial distribution of supply packages to small units operating in contested environments. Army
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U.S. Marines assigned to Ground Combat Department, Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1), observe H142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) participate in a rapid infiltration exercise during Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course 1-23 at Dugway Proving Ground, Dugway, Utah, on Oct. 12, 2022. WTI is a seven-week training event hosted by MAWTS-1, providing standardization advanced tactical training and certification of unit instructor qualifications to support Marine aviation training and readiness and assist in developing and employing aviation weapons and tactics.
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U.S. Army paratroopers from across the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 11th Airborne Division, Arctic Angels, jump from multiple U.S. Air Force aircraft while conducting a low-light airborne operation during Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center-Alaska 23-02 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, March 27, 2023. JPMRC-AK 23-02 is a regional combat training center rotation focusing on large-scale combat operations including situational training and live-fire exercises designed to build cold weather and mountain-proficient forces prepared for employment within the U.S. Army Pacific area of responsibility.
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U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, also known as The Lava Dogs”, conduct rappelling drills at the Republic of Korea (ROK) Marine Corps Ranger Course as a part of the Korea Marine Exchange Program (KMEP) in South Korea, March 28, 2016. KMEP is a program designed to increase interoperability and camaraderie between U.S. Marines and ROK marines. The alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea has grown ever stronger based upon the shared interests and common values of both nations.
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U.S. Air Force Maj. Don Kinnee, 535th Airlift Squadron pilot, flies a C-17 Globemaster III around the island of Oahu during the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center 23-01, Oct. 31, 2022. The 15th Wings ability to provide rapid global mobility and surge combat-ready forces across the theater is critical to supporting regional alliances and the existing security architecture.
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A Mark 7 16-inch/50 caliber gun is fired aboard the battleship USS MISSOURI (BB-63) as night shelling of Iraqi targets takes place along the northern Kuwaiti coast during Operation Desert Storm. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Unknown
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Soldiers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), conduct a night live fire iteration during a combined arms maneuver live fire exercise on Dec. 12, 2022, at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany. Our commitment to defending NATO territory is ironclad and the United States will continue to bolster our posture to better defend our NATO allies. (U.S. Army photos by Staff Sgt. Malcolm Cohens-Ashley, 2nd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs.)
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110221-N-TB177-141ATLANTIC OCEAN (Feb. 21, 2011) Sailors assigned to the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) participate in a fire drill exercise in the ship's hangar bay. George H.W. Bush is underway in the Atlantic Ocean conducting training operations.
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ATLANTIC OCEAN - Seaman Gavin Merideth looks out at a calm sea as the sun sets aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Dallas Feb. 7, 2012. The ship is scheduled to be decommissioned in March.
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U.S. Air Force Capt. Christopher Slauson (left), and Capt. Kit Conn, C-17 Globemaster III pilots with the 21st Airlift Squadron, Travis Air Force Base (AFB), Calif., operate the aircraft during take off from Pope Air Force Base, N.C., en-route to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, with a load of U.S. Army equipment from Fort Bragg, N.C., in support of Haiti earthquake relief efforts, Jan. 27, 2010.
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U.S. Sailors assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG 86) and port workers aboard conduct loading operations for an SM-2 Block IIIA missile while moored in San Diego, Sept. 16, 2022. Shoup is preparing to get underway to participate in a Live Fire With A Purpose exercise.
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DF-ST-87-08886. Subject Operation/Series: COMBAT CHALLENGE Base: Patrick Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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A multiple integrated laser engagement system lights up the night during a training exercise at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California, March 3, 2023. The Spartan Brigade, the Armys most modernized brigade, completed its rotation NTC 23-05, making it not only the best equipped but most lethal unit in Americas arsenal as the Army moves toward building the Army of 2030.
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Congressional delegation staff representatives participate in an interactive tour of South Carolina Air and Army National guard aircraft at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, South Carolina, June 27, 2023. The purpose of the visit is to meet with South Carolina Air and Army National Guard leadership to discuss the current state of the SCARNG and SCANG while also correlating future endeavors for the organization and the capabilities of the units housed there.
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Tech. Sgt. Caleb Courvelle (left), Staff Sgt. Sara Rittenhouse, and Airman Ryan Hill, Airmen of the 248th Air Traffic Control Squadron, direct air traffic in and out of the Gulfport Combat Readiness Training Center during exercise Southern Strike 16 on Nov. 3, 2015. Southern Strike 16 is a large scale, joint and international combat exercise, which features counter insurgency, air supremacy, close air support, enroute casualty care, non-combatant evacuations, maritime and riverine special operations. (Mississippi National Guard
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U.S. Army paratroopers assigned to 1st Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment engage a target with machine guns during a company live-fire exercise on a maneuver range at the Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Sept. 22, 2022.The 173rd Airborne Brigade is the U.S. Army's Contingency Response Force in Europe, providing rapidly deployable forces to the United States European, African, and Central Command areas of responsibility. Forward deployed across Italy and Germany, the brigade routinely trains alongside NATO allies and partners to build partnerships and strengthen the alliance. (U.S. Army photograph by Staff Sgt. John Yountz)
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U.S. Marines with 3d Reconnaissance Battalion, in support of 3d Marine Littoral Regiment, 3d Marine Division, prepare for a water insert at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, Hawaii, Oct. 26, 2022. Bougainville II is a field exercise that allows the MLR and its subordinate units to conduct expeditionary advanced base operations across the island of Oahu. BVII displays the MLRs ability to rapidly establish and displace EABs while executing command and control in a dispersed environment.
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MEDITERRANEAN SEA (Sept. 06, 2016) - The MK 45 5-inch lightweight gun and superstructure aboard USS Carney (DDG 64) while on patrol in the Mediterranean Sea Sept. 6, 2016. Carney, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, is conducting a routine patrol in the U.S. 6th fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe.
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PACIFIC OCEAN (July 25, 2022) U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey perform deck landing maneuverers aboard Royal Australian Navy Canberra-class landing helicopter dock HMAS Canberra (L02) during 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 world's 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 world's oceans. RIMPAC 2022 is the 28th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (Photo by Royal Australian Navy Petty Officer Christopher Szumlanski)
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A C-17 Globemaster III assigned to the 911th Airlift Wing sits on the flight line at the Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station, Pennsylvania, Feb. 3, 2024. Cargo is loaded onto the C-17 through a large aft ramp and door system that accommodates virtually all of the Armys air-transportable equipment such as a 69-ton M1 Abrams main battle tank, armored vehicles, trucks and trailers. Air Force
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U.S. Marines with Sierra Battery, Battalion Landing Team 1/6, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepare and assemble a Lightweight Counter Mortar Radar (LCMR) during familiarization training on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Feb. 3, 2023. The LCMR is a light-weight advanced mountable radar system that is capable of multi-mission tasks such as detecting early warning fires, counterfire target acquisitioning and air surveillance while deployed.
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As seen through the submarine's periscope, a BGM-109 Tomahawk land attack missile (TLAM) targeted on an Iraqi position rises into the sky after being fired from a vertical launch tube aboard the nuclear-powered attack submarine USS PITTSBURGH (SSN-720) during Operation Desert Storm. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Unknown
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Soldiers assigned to the 1243rd Transportation Company, 3678th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, Puerto Rico Army National Guard, prepare for nighttime driver training with night vision goggles at Camp Santiago Joint Training Center, Salinas, July 13, 2022. This training provides soldiers the opportunity to gain confidence in their equipment while refining their critical skills in preparation for future missions and multiple environments.
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A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey transports an ammo resupply by air transport, March 11, 2016, during Exercise Ssang Yong 2016 in Pohang, South Korea. Ssang Yong 16 is a biennial military exercise focused on strengthening the amphibious landing capabilities of the Republic of Korea, the U.S., New Zealand and Australia.
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U.S. Marines with 3d Reconnaissance Battalion, in support of 3d Marine Littoral Regiment, 3d Marine Division, prepare for a water insert at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, Hawaii, Oct. 26, 2022. Bougainville II is a field exercise that allows the MLR and its subordinate units to conduct expeditionary advanced base operations across the island of Oahu. BVII displays the MLRs ability to rapidly establish and displace EABs while executing command and control in a dispersed environment.
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An 8th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) robot examines a scene during a training event at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Sept. 11, 2022. EOD technicians utilize robots to reach explosives that are too dangerous for military members to disarm.
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030107-F-9528H-007. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Country: Unknown
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GOTLAND, Sweden (June 8, 2022) Swedish rangers disembark a TP84 Hercules aircraft during BALTOPS 22. BALTOPS 22 is the premier maritime-focused exercise in the Baltic Region. The exercise, led by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, and executed by Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO, provides a unique training opportunity to strengthen combined response capabilities critical to preserving freedom of navigation and security in the Baltic Sea. (Swedish Armed Forces photo by Joel Thungren)
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Aircraft flying from Anchorage fly over Ladd Army Airfield delivering paratroopers from 2nd Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 11th Airborne Division who will follow on to conduct an airfield seizure, the official start of Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center-Alaska 23-02 March 25, 2023.
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U.S. Patriot missile batteries from the 5th Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery Regiment stand ready at sunset in Poland on April 10, 2022. The deployment of these air & missile defense systems is purely defensive. They contribute to the robust shielding provided along NATOs Eastern flank. The SBAMD systems will protect Allied, populations, territory, and our deployed forces from attack.
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U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Aaron Irvin, 1st Combat Camera Squadron combat camera craftsman, takes photos during Exercise Green Goblin at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, Dec. 6, 2022. This four-day exercise provides relevant and essential night-vision training to prepare combat camera Airmen with enhanced photographic and video capabilities required to capture imagery in low-light and no-light environments.
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110518-N-UO379-006ARABIAN GULF (May 18, 2011) An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the Death Rattlers of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 323 makes its final approach on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) from more than five miles away during night flight operations. Ronald Reagan and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14 are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility and will be conducting close-air support missions as part of Operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn.
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DN-ST-85-11382. Base: Makassar Strait Country: Indonesia (IDN)
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PHILIPPINE SEA (Jan. 31, 2019) A landing craft, air cushion (LCAC) prepares to enter the well deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1). Wasp, flagship of the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group, with embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), is operating in the Indo-Pacific region to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force for any type of contingency.
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Sgt. Orlando Garcia swings a red chemical light to rally fellow artillerymen on his gun during training Feb. 10, 2011, in preparation for a large 82nd Airborne Division night-time airborne exercise at Fort Bragg, N.C. The soldiers unit, 3rd Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, will air-drop two M119A2 105mm howitzers from a C-17 aircraft along with the gun crews with the goal of readying one of the guns to fire within 25 minutes of the first Paratroopers exit.
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DF-ST-86-12045. Base: Vandenberg Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)