Air Force Operations and Exercises

Images of U.S. Air Force aircraft, including C-5M and KC-135, in operational settings, showcasing cargo loading and marshaling activities during military exercises.

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 77th Expeditionary Fighter Generation Squadron conduct pre-flight inspections prior to an F-16 Fighting Falcon launch from Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Nov. 14, 2022. Weapons load crews ensure safe munitions loading and maintain launch and release devices on aircraft enabling aircraft to carry out combat patrol missions.

A U.S. Air Force C-5M Super Galaxy taxis past the 621st Contingency Response Wings tent city during Exercise Dragon Spark at Travis Air Force Base, California, Oct. 14, 2022. Exercise Dragon Spark provided units from the 60th Air Mobility Wing and the 621st CRW an opportunity to sync operations in preparation for a national disaster.

Air Force C-17 Loadmaster Staff Sgt. Benjamin Cato from the 21st Airlift Squadron, Travis AFB, CA. backs in a pick up truck to be taken to Haiti as part of the earthquake relief on January 15, 2010 at Norfolk, VA.

An aircraft servicer assigned to the 354th Fighter Wing marshals a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 22nd Air Refueling Wing, McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, upon arrival at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska in support of Operation Noble Defender 22-4.2, Sept. 12, 2022. The operation demonstrates the ability to launch at a moments notice from dispersed air and maritime locations to defend Northern approaches in multiple regions of the continent across all domains, displaying resilience in the face of multiple and complex threats.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Ryan Lockheart, 535th Airlift Squadron C-17 Gloabmaster III loadmaster, marshalls in cargo to be used in an airdrop mission at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii on 1 Aug. The 535th provides airlift and airdrop capabilities to the Pacific theater. The airdrop mission is part of the routine training for the aircrew and logistics personnel.

030418-F-5009P-009. Base: Offutt Air Force Base State: Nebraska (NE) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Julian Flores (left), 47th Student Squadron student pilot, and 1st Lt. Gabriel Martinez (right), 87th Flying Training Squadron instructor pilot, go over plans for a T-38 Talon flight at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, July 25, 2022. Laughlin trains the most pilots of any training base in the Air Force and is dedicated to producing combat-ready Airmen, leaders and pilots.

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 77th Expeditionary Fighter Generation Squadron conduct pre-flight inspections prior to an F-16 Fighting Falcon launch from Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Nov. 14, 2022. Weapons load crews ensure safe munitions loading and maintain launch and release devices on aircraft enabling aircraft to carry out combat patrol missions.

Airmen from the 436th Maintenance Squadron perform a foreign object debris walk on the flightline at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, June 15, 2022. FOD walks are performed at least twice a day to ensure the flightline is clear of potential hazards.

030324-F-8156G-005. Base: RAF Fairford Country: England / Great Britain (ENG) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

A crew of the 181st Tactical Airlift Squadron, Texas Air National Guard, load equipment of the 435th Airlift Control Element onto a C-130 Hercules transport aircraft during Operation Desert Shield.

A U.S. Marine Corps M777 towed 155 mm howitzer is loaded into the back of a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft at March Air Reserve Base, California, April 23, 2022. The howitzers are part of the United States efforts, alongside allies and partners, to identify and provide Ukraine with additional capabilities.

020902-F-0201H-019. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Country: Unknown

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer, assigned to the 34th Bomb Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, prepares to land at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, for a Bomber Task Force mission June 2, 2022. Bomber Task Force missions contribute to joint force lethality and deter aggression in the Indo-Pacific by demonstrating the United States Air Force's ability to operate anywhere in the world at any time in support of the National Defense Strategy.

030813-F-9311L-006. Base: Scott Air Force Base State: Illinois (IL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Charles Offenbacher, an aerospace propulsion specialist 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, conducts preflight inspections on a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III at John Rogers Airport, Hawaii, Dec. 3, 2022. Airmen assigned to the 437th Airlfit Wing, stationed at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, conducted off-station training in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibilities to hone global reach and readiness capabilities.

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Matt Mascaro, 29th Weapons Squadron, ensures a C-130J Hercules engines start properly before a mission as part of the U.S. Air Force Weapons School on Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., May 11, 2012. The Air Force Weapons School is a five-and-a-half-month training course which provides selected officers with the most advanced training in weapons and tactics employment. Throughout the course, students receive an average of 400 hours of graduate-level academics and participate in demanding combat training missions.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Chance, 909th Air Refueling Squadron boom operator instructor, walks across the cargo hold on a KC-135 Stratotanker at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 14, 2022. Boom operators ensure the boom and cargo hold areas are prepped and ready while the pilots do their preparations in the cockpit prior to the flight.

980608-F-4116M-005. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH 1998 Base: Kuwait International Airport Country: Kuwait (KWT) Scene Major Command Shown: AMC

U.S. Air Force Airmen with 735th Air Mobility Squadron, assist in unloading equipment in support of Philippines oil-spill response on March 29, 2023. The Exercise Balikatan 23 Joint Mobility Coordination Cell enabled timely delivery of equipment to assist the Philippine Government in cleaning affected areas in Mindoro, Philippines. Balikatan is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences.

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Phillip Cain, 1-10 Attack Battalion commander, conducts his final flight in an AH-64D Apache helicopter on Fort Drum, NY Jun. 14, 2022. Lt. Col. Cain received a 'shower of affection' from Fort Drum Fire Rescue as he came back.

DF-ST-87-07799. Base: Incirlik Air Base, Adana Country: Turkey (TUR)

A bus is staged to transport incoming personnel participating in Checkered Flag 22-2 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, May, 5, 2022. Checkered Flag is a large-force aerial exercise held at Tyndall which fosters readiness and interoperability through the incorporation of 4th- and 5th-generation aircraft during air-to-air combat training. The 22-2 iteration of the exercise was held May 9-20, 2022.

DF-ST-86-09755. Base: Rhein-Main Air Base Country: West Germany (FRG)

030404-F-8362B-008. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Country: Unknown

A C-17 Globemaster III sits on the flightline at Pope Air Force Base, N.C., June 26, 2011, during the Joint Operations Access Exercise. JOAX is a two-week exercise to prepare Air Force and Army troops to respond to worldwide crises and contingences.

The sun sets on a US Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker, from the 92nd Aerial Refueling Squadron, Fairchild Air Force Base, Spokane, Washington, at Moron Air Base, Spain, to continue aerial refueling operations in support of Operation Phoenix Duke II. The sun sets on a US Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker, from the 92nd Aerial Refueling Squadron, Fairchild Air Force Base, Spokane, Washington, at Moron Air Base, Spain, to continue aerial refueling operations in support of Operation Phoenix Duke II.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Stephen McCrory, 60th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron flight nurse instructor, carries equipment onto a KC-46A Pegasus assigned to the 22nd Air Refueling Wing at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, for KC-46A training at Travis Air Force Base, California, Aug. 16, 2022. In addition to aerial refueling, the KC-46A can accommodate a mixed load of passengers, aeromedical evacuation and cargo transport.

050225-F-0944H-023. Base: Aviano Air Base State: Pordenone Country: Italy (ITA)

A U.S. Navy Blue Angel crew chief waves to spectators while inside of a C-130J Hercules Fat Albert assigned to The Blue Angels, U.S. Naval Flight Demonstration Squadron, as part of the 2022 Kaneohe Bay Air Show, Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Aug. 12, 2022. The air show provided an opportunity for MCBH to foster positive relationships with the local community, while providing a unique experience to the public. The Kaneohe Bay Air Show, which contained aerial performances, static displays, demonstrations and vendors, was designed to celebrate MCBHs longstanding relationship with the local community.

A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 22nd Air Maintenance Squadron, McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, sits on the flightline during RED FLAG Alaska 23-1 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Oct. 11, 2022. The Indo-Pacific is a top priority for the United States and the DoD; exercises like RF-A display a commitment to ensuring U.S. forces are capable and ready to face the evolving challenges in the region.

041109-F-5570D-010. Base: Sioux City State: Iowa (IA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

011021-F-9232S-016. Subject Operation/Series: NOBLE EAGLE Base: Selfridge Air Natl Guard Base State: Michigan (MI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Airmen at the 134th Air Refueling Wing gather in the new aircraft hangar under the first KC-135R Stratotanker to be parked in the hangar. The aircraft was moved into the hangar for the grand opening of the new $31 million facility.

A KC-135 Stratotanker from the New Jersey Air National Guards 108th Wing sits on the flightline during sunrise at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., Dec. 8, 2018. The KC-135 Stratotankers assigned to the 141st Air Refueling Squadron allow the wing to support Air Mobility Command with mid-air refueling and air bridge support to overseas contingency operations and homeland defense.

041217-F-8970B-001. Base: Hickam Air Force Base State: Hawaii (HI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Soldiers bring extras to the Airbus A400M aircraft, taken during the Bundeswehr exercise 'Fast Eagle' in Barth, 05.05.2022. The exercise 'Fast Eagle' simulates an evacuation of German citizens from a fictitious crisis country within a short time, Barth, Germany, Europe

Master Sgt. Christopher Dumond, a flight engineer in the 109th Airlift Wing's 139th Airlift Squdron, conducts preflight maintenance checks on an LC-130H Ski Equipped aircraft; outiftted with newly overhauled NP2000 T56-15A (3.5 modified) engines. The flight tests the capabilites of the new engines.

Maintainers from the 315th Air Generation Squadron, Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina, make a quick but complete repair to the hydraulics on a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. Subject Operation/Series: GUARDIAN ASSISTANCE Base: Charleston Air Force Base State: South Carolina (SC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Senior Airman Jordan Brown, 535th Airlift Squadron loadmaster and Capt. Logan Hawke, 535th AS pilot looks out the window of the C-17 Globemaster III cockpit during the Friendship Festival 2022 at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 22, 2022. The festival embodied the true spirit of friendship, welcoming more than 110,000 Japanese neighbors to meet with our Airmen and tour static displays of U.S and Japanese Aircraft while sharing our cultures and stories.

Great Lakes Search and Rescue Detachment - 26-HK-143-124. Hurricane Katrina

A KC-135 Stratotanker refueling on Moron Air Base, Spain, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Moron Air Base State: Sevilla Country: Spain (ESP) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

Photos from Aviation Training Center, Mobile - 26-HK-422-74. Hurricane Katrina

Soldiers from 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, begin loading an AH-64D Apache attack helicopter on an Air Force C-17 Globemaster III, Robert Gray Army Airfield, Fort Hood, Texas, Jan. 10. Loading of a single Apache on the C-17 requires the 4 main rotor blades, stabilator and all radio antennas to be removed from the helicopter. The Apache is being loaded onto the C-17 as training en route to Fort Irwin, Calif., for a month-long rotation at the National Training Center.

041018-F-9429S-010. Base: Alpena State: Michigan (MI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Miscellaneous - Katrina and Rita - 26-HK-431-208. Hurricane Katrina

060315-N-6213R-007. Base: USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74)

Airmen assigned to the 621st Contingency Response Wing and 305th Air Mobility Wing team up with members of the U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Strike Team to load cargo onto a C-17 Globemaster III at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., Feb. 8, 2024. The joint exercise included the loading and offloading of equipment and vehicles onto a C-17, as well as various inspections and documentation. Exercises like these are made possible by the leveraging of assets of Joint Force partners across the Department of Defenses only tri-service base. Air Force

U.S. Airmen in an all-terrain 10K forklift and a Halvorsen 25K Loader assigned to the 621st Contingency Response Wing offload cargo from a C-17 Globemaster III in eastern Europe, April 29, 2022. The 621st Contingency Response Wing recently deployed Airmen as a Contingency Response Element to move resources in support of U.S. European Command operations.

President George W. Bush Visit - 26-HK-6-24. Air Force One personnel readied for POTUS boarding. Hurricane Katrina

030904-F-9370B-022. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Richmond International Airport State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

DART Exercise 2002 'Response to Terrorism'

Staff Sgt. Brandyn Remsnyder, a 162nd Maintenance Group crew chief, Morris Air National Guard Base, Arizona, breaks down his aircraft prior to the arrival of the pilot. Breaking down an aircraft consists of removing covers, cleaning and opening the canopy, placing the aircrew ladder, and completing a walk around inspection.

031028-F-3356N-004. Base: Nellis Air Force Base State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

Airmen of the 139th Maintenance Group, Missouri Air National Guard, participate in a base-wide Large Scale Readiness Exercise at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base, St. Joseph, Missouri, on June 4, 2022. The exercise tests airmens ability to perform in a degraded and contested environment.

Ilyushin IL-76 From Inside a US Marine Corps C-130J at Al Asad Air Base, in Iraq's Anbar Province

040506-F-6665C-010. Base: Vandenberg Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: AFSPC

U.S. Air Force maintainers assigned to the 90th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron perform final inspections on an F-22 Raptor before take-off from Ørland Main Air Station, Norway, Sept. 14, 2022. The 90 EFS forward deployed to Norway to conduct an agile combat employment (ACE) exercise with the Royal Norwegian Air Force and NATO Allies and partners. The joint training and integration provided in this ACE exercise improves the resilience and survivability of coalition airpower.

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brandon Canfield, 8th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron Phoenix Raven, guards a C-17 Globemaster III during a combat airlift mission within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Jan. 12, 2023. Phoenix Raven Airmen are part of a unique program within the Security Forces career field that provides additional security to aircraft assigned to Air Mobility Command operating within austere environments.

020326-F-8115W-001. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Moron Air Base State: Sevilla Country: Spain (ESP) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

980401-F-7910D-008. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH 1998 Base: Prince Sultan Air Base Country: Saudi Arabia (SAU) Scene Major Command Shown: CENTCOM

011021-F-9931S-140. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Davis-Monthan Air Force Base State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

Airmen assigned to the 105th Communications Flight leave on board a C-17 Globemaster III at Stewart Air National Guard Base, New York, on a short-notice deployment to the U.S. Virgin Islands Sept. 22, 2017. Communications Airmen at the 105th are tasked with rapidly deploying the Joint Incident Site Communications Capability, which provides critical communications support to disaster-hit areas.

Royal Australian Air Force Corporal Grant Vaughan, No. 36 Squadron loadmaster, helps conduct a pre-flight inspection for the crew of a C-17 Globemaster III before taking off for the first training mission of Exercise Global Dexterity 2022 at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, May 3, 2022. The RAAF squadron visited JBPHH to join both active duty and National Guard C-17s for training missions around the Hawaiian Islands to develop tactical airlift and airdrop capabilities.

NASA test pilots Jim Clue” Less and Wayne Ringo” Ringelberg step to the F/A-18 research aircraft at Ellington Field and conduct pre-flight safety checks on the aircraft prior to a supersonic research flight for the QSF18 series.

A BREGUET BR1150 ATLANTIC (SP-13A) maritime patrol range (1969-1984) with two Westland Wasp Mk.1 Series 2 & 2A (AH-12A) Obderzeebootstrijdingselikopters (1966-1981) at MarineVliegkamp Valkenburg.

Melissa Ochoa (inside), 502nd Judge Advocate honorary commander, and Christina Bergmann, 802nd Security Forces Squadron honorary commander, listen to brief of a T-1 during an honorary commanders program tour of the 99th Flying Training Squadron, Aug. 17, 2022, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. The honorary commanders program enhances the knowledge of community leaders regarding the missions, policies, programs and people of the U.S. military, while fostering a supportive relationship between the military and the community.

U.S. Air Force 35th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Emergency Services members hose down Col. Jesse J. Friedel, 35th Fighter Wing commander, while he taxis an F-16 Fighting Falcon during his fini-flight at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 22, 2022. A final flight, or fini-flight, is a USAF tradition, to celebrate ones last flight with their unit, by spraying champagne, making a toast and dowsing water from a fire truck onto the aircraft and aircrew.

U.S. Airmen assigned to the 354th Air Expeditionary Wing and Marines assigned to the Marine Wing Support Squadron 372 conduct a hot pit refueling on an F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 356th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron at Palau International Airport in support of Valiant Shield 22, June 12, 2022. VS22 is the ninth iteration of the series that began in 2006. It is a field training exercise that aims to prepare the Joint Force to rapidly respond to crises and contingencies across the spectrum of operations from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to armed conflict.

Tech. Sgt. Christopher Raymond, 301st Airlift Squadron, guides a school bus off of a C-17 Globemaster III on Sept. 24, 2022, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The 349th Air Mobility Wing performed a three-day mission to move humanitarian cargo to Haiti. Through the Denton Program, three school buses donated from San Diego Unified School District were transported from March Air Reserve Base, California, to Haiti.

Coast Guard Air Station - Clearwater, Florida - Katrina Relief - 26-HK-217-15. Hurricane Katrina

Senior Airman Summer Thomas, 312th Airlift Squadron loadmaster from Travis Air Force Base, California, directs a Tunner 60K Loader to a C-5 Galaxy loading ramp at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 13, 2022. The 733rd Air Mobility Squadron provides support to transient airlift squadrons, ensuring cargo arrives where it is needed.

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Mikel Huber, Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point commanding officer, performs pre-flight checks on a UC-35D Citation Encore at MCAS Cherry Point, Aug. 2, 2022. Col. Huber flew the aircraft one final time in the role of commanding officer, just three days ahead of relinquishing command of the air station on Aug. 5, 2022, where he will retire from active duty after 29 years of service.

In honor of the 75th anniversary of the United States Air Force, a historic P-51 Mustang from 1941 flew in formation with F-16s from the 149th Fighter Wing at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Sept. 10, 2022. This WWII era plane was not only the 2nd model of aircraft to be flown by the 149th FW, but it was also originally flown by Chuck Yeager, the first pilot recorded to break the sound barrier. (Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Katie Schultz)

Six C-130H aircraft from the 165th Airlift Wing, Georgia Air National Guard, take part in an elephant walk to showcase force and the new modifications to the aircraft prior to takeoff on September 11, 2022 in Savannah, Georgia. The entire 165th AW fleet of C-130H aircraft was modernized with NP-2000 eight blade propellers and T-56 3.5 engines. The eight-bladed propellers deliver more power and efficiency while reducing maintenance labor.

Miscellaneous - Katrina and Rita - 26-HK-431-209. Hurricane Katrina

U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Central Command, leadership salutes Gen. Eric Smith, Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, upon his arrival at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, Aug. 4, 2022. MARCENT is responsible for all Marine Corps forces in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

A ground crew member signals to the pilot of a 63rd Military Airlift Wing C-141B Starlifter aircraft as it taxis on the flight line during Operation Desert Shield. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Saudi Arabia (SAU)

Airman 1st Class Jaxon Jeffries, 934th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, positions chalks for Air Force One at Minneapolis-St. Paul Air Reserve Station, April 3, 2023.

MISAWA, Japan (Jan. 23, 2021) - Sailors assigned to the Golden Swordsmen Patrol Squadron (VP) 47 conduct training on proper plane movement at Misawa Air Base. VP-47 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. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brandon J. Vinson/RELEASED)

Six C-130 Hercules aircraft from the Georgia Air National Guard execute an elephant walk on the flightline at the 165th Airlift Wing in Garden City, Georgia, Sept. 11, 2022. The entire 165th AW fleet of C-130H aircraft was modernized with NP-2000 eight blade propellers and T-56 3.5 engines. The eight-bladed propellers deliver more power and efficiency while reducing maintenance labor.

A U.S. Air Force C-5M Super Galaxy is prepared to unload equipment at Subic Bay International Airport to deliver equipment in support of Philippines oil-spill response on March 29, 2023. The Exercise Balikatan 23 Joint Mobility Coordination Cell enabled timely delivery of equipment to assist the Philippine Government in cleaning affected areas in Mindoro, Philippines. Balikatan is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry makes a cell phone call while his jet refuels at Yokota Air Base in Japan on July 3, 2013, while en route to Washington, D.C., during the final legs of a 12-day, around-the-world trip.

U.S. Air Force Crew CHIEF SSGT Jason Martin crouches down on the left wing and performs a pre-flight inspection of an A-10 Thunderbolt II, April 5, 1999. Martin of Sacramento, California, assigned to the 81st Fighter Squadron, Spandahelm Air Base, Germany, is deployed to Aviano Air Base, Italy, in support of NATO Operation Allied Force. Subject Operation/Series: ALLIED FORCE Base: Aviano Air Base State: Pordenone Country: Italy (ITA)

The Marine Air-Ground Task Force demonstration takes place during the 2022 Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Air Show at MCAS Miramar, San Diego, California, Sept. 24, 2022. The MAGTF Demo displays the coordinated use of close-air support, artillery and infantry forces, and provides a visual representation of how the Marine Corps operates. 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.

Airmen from the 436th Aerial Port Squadron assist in loading aircraft engine cargo onto a C-130J Super Hercules bound for Africa during a foreign military sales mission at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, June 24, 2022. The United States and its African partners have a shared interest in a secure, stable, and prosperous African continent. Due to its strategic location, Dover AFB supports approximately $3.5 billion worth of foreign military sales annually.

U.S. Air Force personnel assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron and the 718th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron conduct pre-flight checks prior to an early morning refueling flight at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 27, 2022. The KC-135 Stratotanker provides the core aerial refueling capability for the Department of Defense, supporting the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and Allied nation aircraft.

NASA ground and maintenance crews prepare the F/A-18 research aircraft for a supersonic research flight off the coast of Galveston, Texas in support of the QSF18 flight campaign. These crews are vital to making sure the aircraft is ready to operate safely and efficiently for NASAs research.

In honor of the 75th anniversary of the United States Air Force, a historic P-51 Mustang from 1941 flew in formation with F-16s from the 149th Fighter Wing at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Sept. 10, 2022. This WWII era plane was not only the 2nd model of aircraft to be flown by the 149th FW, but it was also originally flown by Chuck Yeager, the first pilot recorded to break the sound barrier. (Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Katie Schultz)

Two Navy SH-3H Sea King helicopters are parked on the flight line during Exercise Ocean Venture '84. In the background is an Air Force C-141B Starlifter aircraft. Subject Operation/Series: OCEAN VENTURE '84 Base: Naval Air Station, Jacksonville State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A crewman marshals a Boeing 707 aircraft on the tarmac at Rhein Main Air Base, Germany. The 707 is equipped with a Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (J-STARS). A 40-foot radome under the forward part of the fuselage houses the phased-array radar antenna. J-STARS is a long range, air-to-ground surveillance and battle management system. When in flight the radar can detect and track more than 120 miles of terrain providing the battle commander with invaluable information about troop movement and position. The information is fed to the 17 Army and Air Force operators who have access to the radar data in real-time via on-board large-screen graphics consoles. The radar data is .... Complete Scene Caption: A crewman marshals a Boeing 707 aircraft on the tarmac at Rhein Main Air Base, Germany. The 707 is equipped with a Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (J-STARS). A 40-foot radome under the forward part of the fuselage houses the phased-array radar antenna. J-STARS is

031218-F-7234P-025. Base: Baghdad International Airport Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 447th Air Expeditionary Group

030428-F-6809H-060. Country: Unknown Scene Major Command Shown: 398th AEG

011011-F-5171M-017. Base: Minneapolis-St Paul Iap/Ars State: Minnesota (MN) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: AMC

U.S. Air Force crew chiefs, with the 914th Air Refueling Wing, New York, prepare to start preflight communications with the pilots on the KC-135 Stratotanker August 24, 2022 on Niagara Falls AIr Reserve Station, New York. During these communications, pilots and crew chiefs ensure that the Stratotankers exterior parts are coordinating with direction from the cockpit.

An ordnanceman secures Mark 82 500-pound high-drag bombs to the wing pylon of an A-7E Corsair II aircraft on the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS CARL VINSON (CVN-70). Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules gets a pallet loaded onto it at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Oct. 5, 2022. The 75th Expeditionary Airlift Squadrons C-130H Super Hercules has been grounded due to a Time Compliance Technical Order issued on September 27, 2022. The 75th EAS mission as the only Airlift Squadron in Africa has not been halted. Other C-130J and H model Super Hercules have arrived to help the mission continue.

of 3