Air Combat Maneuvers

Dynamic aerial shots of military jets in flight, showcasing air-to-air engagement and advanced weaponry during exercises. Emphasizes technical prowess and military capability.

An air-to-air underside view of an F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft and an F-4 Phantom II aircraft climbing and banking to the left. Both aircraft are from the 52nd Tactical Fighter Wing (TFW), Spangdahlem Air Base. The F-16C is armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles and AGM-45A Shrike missiles and the F-4G is armed with AGM-88A high-speed anti-radiation missiles (HARMs) and AIM-7 Sparrow missiles. Both aircraft are equipped with AN/ALQ-131 electronic countermeasures pods. Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)

An air-to-air underside view of an F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft and an F-4 Phantom II aircraft climbing and banking to the left. Both aircraft are from the 52nd Tactical Fighter Wing (TFW), Spangdahlem Air Base. The F-16C is armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles and AGM-45A Shrike missiles and the F-4G is armed with AGM-88A high-speed anti-radiation missiles (HARMs) and AIM-7 Sparrow missiles. Both aircraft are equipped with AN/ALQ-131 electronic countermeasures pods. Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)

020807-F-1351C-001. Base: Hill Air Force Base State: Utah (UT) Country: United States Of America (USA)

030619-F-7709A-003. Country: Gulf Of Mexico Scene Major Command Shown: ANG

041115-F-2295B-015. Base: Tyndall Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

030609-F-7709A-003. Country: Gulf Of Mexico Scene Major Command Shown: ANG

An overhead view of a US Air Force F-4 from the 561st Fighter Wing, Nellis AFB, NV, during a refueling mission over the Mediterranean Sea and Saudi Arabia. The extender of the KC-10 is visible in the top right corner.(Exact date unknown). Subject Operation/Series: VIGILANT WARRIOR Base: Moron Country: Spain (ESP)

020813-F-4177H-016. Subject Operation/Series: NORTHERN WATCH Country: Unknown

DN-SC-87-09235. Country: Unknown

DF-ST-85-13252. Country: Unknown

High angle front view of a Royal Air Force RF-4 Phantom II aircraft approaching the refueling drogue of a KC-135 Stratotanker for in-flight refueling. The KC-135 is assigned to the 306th Strategic Refueling Wing. Country: North Sea

A pair of F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 510th Fighter Squadron, Aviano AB, Italy, fly in formation during a Combat Air Patrol (CAP) mission. Planes flying the CAP missions provide air cover for NATO Operation Allied Force strike missions in Yuglslavia. Subject Operation/Series: NATO Base: Aviano Air Base State: Pordenone Country: Italy (ITA)

An air-to-air view of four Strike Fighter Squadron 151 (VFA-151) F/A-18A Hornet aircraft flying in formation. Country: Unknown

US Air Force F-15 Eagle

A 401st Tactical Fighter Wing (401st TFW) F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft carrying an AN/ALQ-131 electronic counter measures (ECM) pod beneath its fuselage retracts its landing gear upon takeoff during a Salty Nation exercise. The 401st TFW has deployed to Aviano from Torrejon Air Base, Spain, for the exercise. Subject Operation/Series: SALTY NATION Country: Italy (ITA)

An F-15 Eagle from the 114th Fighter Squadron fires an AIM-9X missile during a Weapons Systems Evaluation Program at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida.

March 22, 2003 - An F-16 Fighting Falcon flies a mission in the skies near Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

A Fighter Squadron 32 (VF-32) F-14A Tomcat aircraft is refueled by a U.S. Air Force KC-135E Stratotanker aircraft during Operation Desert Storm. VF-32 is based aboard the aircraft carrier USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67). Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Saudi Arabia (SAU)

An Israeli Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon refuels from a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, as part of a bilateral exercise over an undisclosed location in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Nov. 30, 2022. The exercise demonstrated fighter aircraft integration and escort as well as refueling operations as part of the first of several exercises to maintain the ironclad commitment and bilateral aerial capability between the U.S. and Israeli Air Forces.

A F-15C Eagle from the 67th Fighter Squadron prepares to receive fuel from a KC-135R Stratotanker from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron while on a routine training mission over the Pacific Ocean, 200 nautical miles east of Okinawa. Both units from the 18th Wing, Kadena Air Base, Japan. Base: Kadena Air Base State: Okinawa Country: Japan (JPN) Scene Major Command Shown: PACAF

DF-ST-88-05140. Country: Unknown

020419-F-6655M-015. State: Georgia (GA) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: Air National Guard

040505-F-7709A-006. Country: Gulf Of Mexico Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

USAF F-15C EAGLE

020208-F-1851B-625. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

A U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft assigned to the 31st Fighter Wing departs after receiving fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft assigned to the 100th Air Refueling Wing over the North Sea during exercise Cobra Warrior 22, Sept. 21, 2022. The partnerships created through recurring training events like Cobra Warrior, better support the ability to employ a strategic force in theater whenever called upon.

A U.S. Air Force F-16 from the Oklahoma Air National Guard's 138th Fighter Wing Detachment 1, flies behind a KC-135 Stratotanker from the Alabama Air National Guard's 117th Air Refueling Wing to refuel during North American Aerospace Defense Command's (NORAD) Operation Noble Defender (OND), June 29, 2022. As a part of OND, which is a recurring operation, the Continental U.S. NORAD Region (CONR) coordinated and conducted joint operations with the U.S. Navy while concurrently launching jets from different locations across the United States' gulf coast and Puerto Rico. OND, is an integrated air and missile defense operation designed to ensure the defense and security of the northern and southern approaches to North America. This particular OND allowed NORAD units to exercise maneuvers designed to defend the southern approach to the United States from simulated cruise missile threats. NORAD is a bi-national Canadian and American command that employs a network of aerial, ground-based, and s

A view of an F-16A Fighting Falcon aircraft banking to the right during deployment to Kunsan Air Base, Korea. The aircraft is from the 35th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 8th Tactical Fighter Wing. The aircraft is equipped with a luggage pod on the left wing and auxiliary fuel tanks. Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

040611-F-3488S-021. Base: Eielson Air Force Base State: Alaska (AK) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A right view of a six-ship delta formation of F-16A Fighting Falcon aircraft in flight. The aircraft are from the 35th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, being deployed to Kunsan Air Base, Korea. Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

A top-down view of an F/A-18 from the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) as it hooks into the drogue receptacle and begins to receive fuel. A KC-135 from the 4408 Air Refueling Squadron, 4409 Air Wing (Provisional) conducted the first operational mission since the start of the relocation of Operation Southern Watch/Operation Desert Focus. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT FOCUS Base: Prince Sultan Air Base Country: Saudi Arabia (SAU)

An air-to-air left underside view of an F-16A Fighting Falcon aircraft with eight CBU-58 bombs mounted on multiple stores ejection racks (MSER) and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles on the wingtips. Country: Unknown

51st Fighter Wings F-16s joined with Indo-Pacific Command B-1B bombers and Republic of Korea F-35As in a combined training flight over the Korean Peninsula as part of Vigilant Storm 23, Nov. 5, 2022. Vigilant Storm is a recurring, re-planned training exercise that demonstrates the bilateral nations' interoperability and showcases deterrent capabilities.

USAF F-15C Eagle from Langley AFB photographed from a USAF tanker above puffy white cloud background

Four F-16C Fighting Falcon Block 52 aircraft's from the 157th Fighter Squadron, 169th Fighter Wing, McEntire Air National Guard Station, South Carolina, fly in formation. Country: Unknown

November 26, 2004 - A pair of F/A-18C Hornets fly over Iraq during a mission in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom

A U.S. F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft assigned to the 55th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron carries our aerial operations in the U.S. Air Forces Central area of responsibility April 9, 2022. The 55th EFS delivers airpower and showcases U.S. commitment to deterrence and regional stability.

DF-ST-86-03906. Subject Operation/Series: WILLIAM TELL '84 Country: Unknown

040505-F-2034C-003. Base: Kadena Air Base State: Okinawa Country: Japan (JPN) Scene Major Command Shown: PACAF

AN air-to-air left side view of an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft armed with an AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missile on its left wing and an Air Combat Maneuvering Instrument pod on its right wing. Base: Nellis Air Force Base State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

011106-F-4308R-006. Subject Operation/Series: NOBLE EAGLE 2001 Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

An F-16 from the 169th Fighter Wing in South Carolina receives fuel from the boom of a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 134th Air Refueling Wing. The 134th Air Refueling Wing celebrated the centennial anniversary of in-flight refueling on June 27, 2023, by performing two flyovers and a total of seven in-flight refuelings in the skies over Tennessee.

F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft representing the 14th and 13th Fighter Squadrons and the 432nd Fighter Wing fly in formation near Misawa Air Base. The aircraft are armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles.. Country: Japan(JPN)

A Chilean Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon refuels from a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker over Brazil during Exercise CRUZEX V.

F-16 Falcons from the 187th Fighter Wing in Montgomery, Alabama fly in formation with a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 117th Air Refueling Wing prior to doing a flyover of the 2022 World Games at Birmingham, Alabama, July 7, 2022.

060412-F-2907C-206. Country: Afghanistan (AFG)

An air-to-air view of six Strike Fighter Squadron 151 (VFA-151) F/A-18A Hornet aircraft flying in formation. Country: Unknown

DF-ST-86-09478. Country: Unknown

DF-ST-87-13149. Country: Spain (ESP)

U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagles assigned to the 44th Fighter Squadron fly next to a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron after being refueled over the Pacific Ocean, May 10, 2022. Aerial refueling allows aircraft to fly longer and accomplish the mission more efficiently, eliminating the need to return to base for fuel.

DN-SC-89-09045. Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

030814-F-6911G-005. Subject Operation/Series: RED FLAG 2003 Base: Nellis Air Force Base State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Two Fighter Squadron 32 (VF-32) F-14A Tomcat aircraft bank into a turn as they return to the aircraft carrier USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV 67) at the end of FLEET EX 90. Subject Operation/Series: FLEET EX 90 Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

High angle view of a fighter plane refueling, KC-10 Extender, F/A-18C Hornet, US Air Force

A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 242, receives fuel from a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker, assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan, over the Indo-Pacific theater, June 30, 2022. Aerial refueling capabilities extend airborne training time and combat radius, ensuring U.S. and allied nation aircraft are postured to maintain regional peace and stability within the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility.

A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II pilot assigned to the 421st Fisgter Squadron, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, receives fuel from a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft assigned to the 506th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, over the Pacific Ocean, while conducting Agile Combat Employment (ACE) rehearsals, June 28, 2022. ACE shifts operations from centralized physical infrastructures to a network of smaller, dispersed locations that can complicate adversary planning and provide more options for joint force commanders.

Close-up of two F-16 Fighting Falcon Block 52 aircraft's from the 157th Fighter Squadron, 169th Fighter Wing, McEntire Air National Guard Station, South Carolina, in flight. The aircraft's are armed with AGM-88 HARM's (high-speed anti-radiation missile), AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles and AIM-120 AMRAAM's (advanced medium-range air-to-air missile). Country: Unknown

Two 613th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-16A Fighting Falcon aircraft approach Incirlik Air Base while on deployment. Country: Turkey (TUR)

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft, assigned to the 179th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, carries out aerial operations in the U.S. Air Forces Central area of responsibility, June 19, 2022. The 179th EFS delivers airpower and showcases U.S. commitment to deterrence and regional stability.

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

An F-15 Eagle aircraft flies a patrol over the desert during the cease-fire between coalition and Iraqi forces following Operation Desert Storm. The aircraft is carrying four AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles on its wing pylons and an AIM-7 Sparrow missile beneath its fuselage. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Iraq (IRQ)

051230-N-7241L-006. Base: USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71)

DN-SC-87-04335. Country: Unknown

020923-F-6393C-010. Subject Operation/Series: NORTHERN WATCH Country: Unknown Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor assigned to the 3rd Wing, and an F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to Eielson Air Force base fly next to a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 117th Aerial Refueling Squadron, Forbes Field, Kansas during RED FLAG-Alaska 22-3 over the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, Alaska, Aug. 2, 2022. The JPARC is the largest airspace over land that the Department of Defense has, its size is optimal to push the capabilities of fifth-generation aircraft pilots forward.

DF-ST-89-04216. Country: England / Great Britain (ENG)

A right side view of an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft carrying an AIM-9 Sidewinder missile and a Mark 82 500-pound laser-guided bomb during Exercise Cope Elite '81. The Falcon is from the 428th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 474th Tactical Fighter Wing. Subject Operation/Series: COPE ELITE '81 Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

011107-F-5795G-005. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Country: Afghanistan (AFG)

Four F-16's from the Air National Guard Air Force Reserve Test Center fly in formation during a test mission out of the Tucson International Airport, Arizona.

Members of the 121st Air Refueling Wing refuel an F-15E Strike Eagle using a KC-135A Stratotanker Sept. 11, 2014, off the coast of North Carolina during an exercise. The 121st ARW is from the Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Ohio.

A U.S. F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft assigned to the 55th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron carries out aerial operations in the U.S. Air Forces Central area of responsibility April 9, 2022. The 55th EFS delivers airpower and showcases U.S. commitment to deterrence and regional stability.

DF-ST-89-03611. Country: Unknown

DF-ST-87-01089. Base: Taegu Air Base Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

Aerial view of an F-15C Eagle being refueled as seen from boom operators window of a KC-135R tanker aircraft. The fighter plane was escorting a B-2 Bomber to an air show at RAF Fairford, England. The tanker is assigned to the 911th ARS (Red Eagles) from Grand Forks, AFB, North Dakota. The crew and plane are attached to the European tanker task force based at RAF Mildenhall, England. Country: Scotland (SCT)

Two US Marine AV-8B Harriers High Above the Al Anbar Province of Iraq

981210-M-1399L-001. Subject Operation/Series: BEACHCREST '99 Country: Unknown

021112-F-7709A-002. Base: Tyndall Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An F-15C Eagle aircraft refuels from a KC-10A Extender aircraft while conducting defensive operations in support of the Iraqi and coalition ceasefire following Operation Desert Storm. The Eagle is armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles. Country: Unknown

DF-ST-87-07557. Country: Unknown

A Dassault Rafale of the French Air Force flys alongside an Embraer A-1B of the Brazilian Air Force during Cruzeiro Do Sul (CRUZEX) in Brazil. CRUZEX V is a multinational exercise encompassing real means from the Air Forces of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, France, Uruguay, United States, Venezuela and simulated means from Land and Maritime Components that takes place October 28th to November 19th, 2010, on the Northeast coast of Brazil.

Air to air view of two Air Force Reserve F-16 Fighting Falcons flying over clouds during a training mission. The lead F-16 is the flag ship of the 302nd Fighter Squadron and the wing aircraft is the flag ship of the 944th Fighter Wing both deployed from Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. Subject Operation/Series: JOINT ENDEAVOR Base: Tuzla Air Base Country: Bosnia And/I Herzegovina (BIH)

An air-to-air right view of four 308th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft in formation during Exercise Solid Shield '87. Subject Operation/Series: SOLID SHIELD '87 Country: Unknown

020612-F-7709A-004. State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

B-1 Bomber Carrying Sniper Pod

A U.S. Air Force 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron KC-10 Extender fuels a 77th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron F-16 Fighting Flacon during a training mission within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, March 20, 2023. The 908th EARS delivers fuel for U.S. and partner nation forces, extending the reach and combat airpower dominance to the region.

A T-38 Talon four-ship formation flies over the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinals match between the Republic and the Kansas City Sporting July 27, 2022, in Sacramento, California. The U.S. Air Force performs close to 1,000 flyovers a year, which serve as a way to showcase the capabilities of its aircraft while also inspiring patriotism and future generations of aviation enthusiasts.

Two U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles fly in formation over an undisclosed location in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Oct. 24, 2022. The F-15E is a multi-role fighter capable of performing air-to-air and air-to-ground operations in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

220905-N-GP384-1404 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Sep. 5, 2022) An F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to the Blue Blasters” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 34, launches from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), during a Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 flyoff, Sep. 5, 2022. The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group is operating in the Atlantic Ocean in support of naval operations to maintain maritime stability and security in order to ensure access, deter aggression and defend U.S., allied and partner interest.

TWO USN F-14 TOMCATS FLYING OVER CLOUDS

A U.S. Air Force F-16D Fighting Falcon assigned to the 18th Aggressor Squadron, Eielson Air Force Base (AFB) Alaska, takes off from Andersen AFB, Guam, Feb. 21, 2011. The U.S. Air Force and Japanese Air Self-Defense Force conduct Cope North annually at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam to increase combat readiness and interoperability concentrating on coordination and evaluation of air tactics, techniques and procedures.

020312-F-4300H-011. Subject Operation/Series: STRONG RESOLVE 2002 Country: Unknown

US Navy Grumman F-14D nose on.

January 18, 2010 - Dassault Rafale B of the French Air Force off the Normandy coast. These Rafales carry AASM Hammer bombs.

U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121, embarked aboard the amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli (LHA 7), fly in formation above the Pacific Ocean, June 15, 2022, after participating in a joint maritime strike rehearsal to demonstrate service components fires and effects capabilities in the maritime environment during exercise Valiant Shield 22 (VS 22). Exercises such as Valiant Shield allows the Indo-Pacific Command Joint Task Force the opportunity to integrate forces from all branches of service to conduct long-range, precise, lethal, and overwhelming multi-axis, multi-domain effects that demonstrate the strength and versatility of the Joint Task Force and our commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

An air-to-air left side view of two F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft being escorted by two F-4 Phantom II aircraft (above), to their new command with the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing. Base: Kunsan Air Base Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

DN-SC-90-01360. State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An air-to-air view of two F-15 Eagle aircraft armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles (wing pylons) and AIM-120 advanced medium range air-to-air missiles. Country: Unknown

220804-N-CR843-0102MISAWA, Japan (Aug. 04, 2022) Two EA-18G Growlers assigned to the Star Warriors of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 209 conduct intercept training with a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft assigned to the Fighting Tigers of Patrol Squadron (VP) 8 over the Pacific Ocean off the coast of northern Japan. VP-8 is currently deployed to NAF Misawa, Japan conducting maritime patrol and reconnaissance and theater outreach operations within U.S. 7th Fleet (C7F) area of operations in support of Commander, Task Force 72, C7F, and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command objectives throughout the region.

An F-16 assigned to the Oklahoma Air National Guards 138th Fighter Wing disconnects from a KC-135 Stratotanker after receiving fuel, May 19, 2022. (Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Daniel Ter Haar)

All six divots of thermal insulation foam have been ejected from the flight test fixture on NASA's F-15B testbed as it returns from a LIFT experiment flight.

DF-ST-89-09495. Base: George Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

of 5