Air Force Refueling Operations

Action shots of military jets during aerial refueling missions, demonstrating the operational capabilities and coordination of air force units.

A pair of U.S. Air Force F-15C aircraft over the Gulf of Mexico.

A pair of U.S. Air Force F-15C aircraft over the Gulf of Mexico.

A 44th Fighter Squadron F-15C Eagle flies behind a 909th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker after being refueled over the Pacific Ocean, June 15, 2022. The F-15 has electronic systems and weaponry to detect, acquire, track and attack enemy aircraft while operating in friendly or enemy-controlled airspace.

U.S. Air Force F-16 Falcons from the Air National Guard's 187th Fighter Wing, Montgomery, Alabama and F-15 Eagles from the Air National Guard's 159th Fighter Wing, New Orleans, Louisiana, are refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker from the Air National Guard's 117th Air Refueling Wing, on July 22, 2022. The flight crew wore helmets during the refueling to simulate a need for oxygen situation. (U.S Air National Guard Photos by Senior Airman Nicholas Faddis.)

A Turkish Air Force F-16C "Falcon" armed with AIM-120C Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles on the wing tips and AIM-9 "Sidewinders" under the wings turns with a 100th Air Expeditionary Wing KC-135R "Stratotanker" (not shown) out of RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom. The Turkish F-16Cs are flying Combat Air Patrol missions to maintain air superiority and protect aircraft in NATO Operation Allied Force. Subject Operation/Series: ALLIED FORCE Base: Raf Mildenhall Country: Great Britain / England (GBR)

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

Front view of two Royal Australian Air Force F-111 aircraft in flight during exercise Kangaroo '81. Subject Operation/Series: KANGAROO '81 Base: Raaf Amberley State: Queensland Country: Australia (AUS)

An F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 79th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, approaches the boom of a KC-10 Extender assigned to the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Aug. 31, 2022. The mission of the 9th Air Force (Air Forces Central), is to execute an integrated campaign alongside regional and coalition nations to deter and, if necessary, defeat regional aggressors and global competitors.

An F-16, Block 52, Fighting Falcon from the 169th FW, McEntire Air National Guard Station, Columbia, South Carolina, flying high above the clouds. The 169th FW just recently upgraded to a new and lethal mission, the High Speed-Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM) mission. Base: Mcentire Ang Station State: South Carolina (SC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A Royal Saudi Air Force F-15 Eagle fighter aircraft approaches a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 1700th Air Refueling Squadron Provisional for refueling during Operation Desert Shield.

020620-F-7709A-002. State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An F-16 Falcon can be seen through the boom operator's window of a KC-10 as it moves to the refueling boom. The F-16 is returning from a bombing run. Visible under the wings (left to right) is an AMI pod for training, a SUE rack, fuel tank, LANTIRN (Low Altitude Navigation Targeting Infrared, Night) navigation pod, fuel tank, TUR rack, and an AIM-9 Sidewinder missile. Subject Operation/Series: JOINT TASK FORCE 95-3 Base: Mcas, Cherry Point State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A Greek Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon practices aerial refueling with a U.S. Air Force KC-10 Extender assigned to the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron during Exercise Bright Star 23 over Egypt, Sept. 2, 2023. Bright Star 2023 is a multilateral U.S. Central Command exercise held with the Arab Republic of Egypt across air, land and sea domains that promotes and enhances regional security and cooperation, and improves interoperability in irregular warfare against hybrid threat scenarios.

A US Air Force F-16C Falcon from the 52nd Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, moves into the contact position during a refueling mission while deployed to a forward location in the European theatre. This mission is in direct support of Joint Task Force Noble Anvil. Subject Operation/Series: NOBLE ANVIL Country: Unknown

A Royal Saudi Air Force F-15 Eagle fighter aircraft approaches a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 1700th Air Refueling Squadron Provisional for refueling during Operation Desert Shield.. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Unknown

021402-F-8564A-002. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Country: Unknown

021031-F-7709A-007. State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-ST-86-11962. Country: West Germany (FRG)

Following early morning bombing missions, an F/A-18C Hornet from the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron-251 (VMFA-251), Beaufort, South Carolina, trails in the pre-contact position awaiting an aerial refueling mission with a KC-135R Stratotanker from the 319th Air Expeditionary Group (AEG). The 319th AEG deployed to a classified location in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, providing aerial refueling support. In response to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 at the New York World Trade Center and the Pentagon, President George W. Bush initiated Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in support of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT), fighting terrorism abroad. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Country: Unknown

021031-F-7709A-008. State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon assigned to the South Carolina Air National Guard is in-fight refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the Kansas Air National Guard over the Atlantic Ocean during Sentry Savannah 22-1, May 3, 2022. Sentry Savannah is a joint, total force integrated exercise that showcases the nation's combat aircraft readiness, tests the capabilities of warfighters in a near-peer environment and trains the next generation of fighter pilots for tomorrows fight.

An F-16 from the 169th Fighter Wing in South Carolina escorts 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.

DF-ST-88-08403. Country: Holland / Netherlands (HOL)

DN-SC-87-09234. Country: Unknown

An F-15C Eagle from the 1ST Fighter Wing, Langley AFB, Virginia is moving into position for refueling with a Boeing KC-10A Extender from the 2nd Air Refueling Squadron, McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey. The KC-10A can carry more than 356,000 pounds of fuel in it's six tanks; almost twice as much as the KC-135 Stratotanker. During boom refuling operations, fuel is transferred to the receiver at a maximum rate of 1,100 gallons per minute. Base: Langley Air Force Base State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon refuels from a U.S. Air Force KC-10 Extender assigned to the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron during Exercise Bright Star 23 over Egypt, Sept. 2, 2023. Bright Star 2023 is a multilateral U.S. Central Command exercise held with the Arab Republic of Egypt across air, land and sea domains that promotes and enhances regional security and cooperation, and improves interoperability in irregular warfare against hybrid threat scenarios.

DF-ST-86-11829. Country: Spain (ESP)

DF-ST-89-00827. Subject Operation/Series: SHADOW HAWK Country: Jordan (JOR)

Top view of an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft, from the 428th Tactical Fighter Squadron, approaching the refueling boom of a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft, to be refueled while en route to Hawaii to participate in Exercise Cope Elite. Subject Operation/Series: COPE ELITE Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

AN air-to-air right side view of three F-4 Phantom II aircraft from the 3rd Tactical Fighter Squadron during exercise Cope North '81-4. Subject Operation/Series: COPE NORTH '81-4 Base: Naval Air Facility, Misawa State: Aomori Country: Japan (JPN)

Two French Air Force Dassualt MFG Mirage 2000 fighter-bombers taking part in Red Flag exercises at Nellis Air Force Base Las Vegas NV

Five F-15 Eagles from the 173rd Fighter Wing conduct air to air refueling training with a KC-135 Stratotanker.

011106-F-4308R-023. Subject Operation/Series: NOBLE EAGLE 2001 Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

An F-15 Eagle, with the 159th Fighter Wing, Louisiana, flies over the wing of a KC-135 Stratotanker with the 914th Air Refueling Wing, New York, July 10, 2022 over Southeastern United States. The 159th FW is nicknamed the Bayou Militia, which is displayed on the F-15s tail.

An F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 100th Fighter Wing, Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery, Alabama, backs away from a KC-135 Stratotanker out of the 186th Air Refueling Wing, Key Field, Meridian, Mississippi, after receiving fuel during Southern Strike 2022, April 27, 2022. Southern Strike 2022 is a large-scale, joint multinational combat exercise that provides tactical level training for the full spectrum of conflict. It emphasizes air dominance, maritime operations, maritime air support, precision engagement, close air support, command and control, personnel recovery, aero medical evacuation, and combat medical support.

DF-ST-87-07443. Subject Operation/Series: GALLANT EAGLE '86 Base: Southern California State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Colombian Air Force KFIRs and the U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons from the South Carolina Air National Guard, 157th Fighter Squadron fly in formation during Relampago VII, an exercise in Barranquilla, Colombia, Aug. 30, 2022. The purpose of this exercise is to provide the Colombian Air Force with requested realistic interoperability training as allied countries, under NATO standards. South Carolina is Colombias State Partner in the State Partnership Program.

KC-10A Extender refueling an F-15 Eagle

An F-15C Eagle aircraft is refueled by a KC-10A Extender aircraft while on patrol 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)

An F-22 Raptor from the 199th Fighter Squadron positions itself to receive fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 96th Air Refueling Squadron Jan. 10, 2014, near Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. Both aircraft and their crews participated in the Inaugural Total Force Integration Warrior Day, a training event that tested the cooperation and capabilities of multiple base agencies. The training highlighted the importance of integrating operations of active-duty, Hawaii National Guard and Air Force Reserve units.

An AV-8E (night attack Harrier aircraft and an F/A-18CN (night attack) Hornet aircraft flying in formation over Naval Air Station Fallon. Both aircraft are equipped with night vision goggle (NVG) compatible cockpits. Base: Naval Air Station, Fallon State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 77th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron refuels from a KC-10 Extender assigned to the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron over an undisclosed location in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Oct. 31, 2022. The KC-10 directly supports the CENTCOM Air Tasking Order, bringing the gas to the fight and keeping fighter aircraft on target.

An air-to-air right side view of two 169th Tactical Fighter Group F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft of the South Carolina Air National Guard banking to the left. 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)

030827-F-7709A-003. State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, a pair of F-16A Fighting Falcon aircraft of the 120th Fighter Interceptor Group, Montana Air National Guard, climb skyward at a 90 degree angle while flying a mission near Great Falls International Airport. Base: Great Falls State: Montana (MT) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An air to air left side view of Fighter Squadron 24 (VF-24) F-14A Tomcat aircraft, center, and two Fighter Squadron 301 (VF-301) F-4 Phantom II aircraft near Yuma, Arizona. An air to air left side view of Fighter Squadron 24 (VF-24) F-14A Tomcat aircraft, center, and two Fighter Squadron 301 (VF-301) F-4 Phantom II aircraft near Yuma, Arizona.

030409-F-9085B-001. Subject Operation/Series: JOINT FORGE Country: Bosnia And/I Herzegovina (BIH)

020228-F-7910D-009. Country: United States Of America (USA)

An air-to-air view of an F-16C Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft of the 401st Tactical Fighter Wing during Operation Desert Shield.

U.S. Airmen with the 378th Air Expeditionary Wing watch an F-15 Eagle aircraft demonstrate its flare system behind a KC-10 Extender, assigned to the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, during an orientation flight, above AFCENTs area of responsibility, April 27, 2022. The purpose of the orientation flight was to expose Airmen of the 378th AEW to the wings flying mission that normally dont have an opportunity to see it up close. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Noah J. Tancer)

030610-F-7709A-009. Country: Gulf Of Mexico Scene Major Command Shown: ANG

An air-to-air front view of a Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 321 (VNHA-321) F/A-18A Hornet aircraft over the Bravo-19 target range. The reserve squadron is at Naval Air Station, Fallon, for two weeks of active duty training at the Naval Air Warfare Center target complex. State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

AN air-to-air left side view of an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft carrying 500-pound practice bombs. Base: Hill Air Force Base State: Utah (UT) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An air-to-air left side view of four F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft in use during a tactical large force employment exercise. The aircraft are from the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, Kunsan Air Base, Korea. Country: Unknown

An F/A-18C Hornet aircraft of Strike-Fighter Squadron 81 (VFA-81), armed with bombs and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, prepares for refueling during Operation Desert Storm.. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Saudi Arabia(SAU)

A 35th Tactical Fighter Wing F-4G Phantom II aircraft receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft while on a training flight during Operation Desert Shield. The aircraft is carrying AGM-88A HARM high-speed anti-radiation missiles on its inboard wing pylons. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Saudi Arabia (SAU)

030828-F-7709A-007. Base: Tyndall Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A right side view of a Strike Fighter Squadron 137 (VFA-137) F/A-18A Hornet aircraft in flight during a training mission out of Naval Air Station, Cecil Field, Florida. VFA-137 and the other squadrons of Carrier Air Wing 6 (CVW-6) are to depart at the end of May on a Mediterranean deployment aboard the aircraft carrier USS FORRESTAL (CV-59). Country: Unknown

very tight close up shot of German Air Force (Luftwaffe) McDonnell F-4 Phantom II as seen from a KC-135 Stratotanker tanker boomer position, with refueling boom in image

An F-16C Fighting Falcon assigned to the U.S. Air Force Weapons School is piloted by Maj. Douglas Mayo, 64th Aggressor Squadron instructor pilot, during a training mission Sept. 22, 2022, over the Nevada Test and Training Range, Nevada. The Aggressor program began in the fall of 1972 with the activation of the 64th Aggressor Squadron. This program started as a direct result of the high air combat loss rate experienced in the Vietnam War.

February 7, 2007 - U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft fly over Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, during Operation Iron Thunder.

A KC-135 Stratotanker from Fairchild Air Force Base refuels an F-16 Fighting Falcon over New Mexico April 14, 2022. Crews from Fairchild provided air refueling support during a training mission, allowing the F-16 crews to maintain mission readiness.

F-15E Strike Eagle US Air Force

021225-F-0007M-002. Subject Operation/Series: NOBLE EAGLE Country: Unknown Scene Major Command Shown: Air Mobility, TACC

DF-ST-85-13256. Country: Unknown

030702-F-7709A-011. State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

Air-to-air right view of two F-15 Eagle aircraft of the 43rd Tactical Fighter Squadron, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. Country: Unknown

NORAD aircraft fly in formation with a U.S. Air Force KC-135 from the Alabama Air National Guard's 117th Air Refueling Wing over the Gulf of Mexico in support of North American Aerospace Defense Command's Operation Noble Defender March 24, 2023. Continental U.S. NORAD Region coordinated the launch of the U.S. Air Force F-15 Eagles from the Louisiana Air National Guard's 159th Fighter Wing and an E-3 Airborne Warning and Controls System aircraft to conduct intercept operations with the bomber as it entered the Air Defense Identification Zone off the coast of New Orleans. NORAD units exercised maneuvers designed to defend the southern approach to the United States from simulated cruise missile threats in the particular OND.

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.

DF-ST-89-05843. Base: George Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft with the 4th Fighter Squadron receives fuel as part of an air refueling mission over Jordan Oct. 17, 2011, during Eager Tiger Falcon Air Meet 2011. The Eager Tiger Falcon Air Meet is an annual competition and training exercise for countries that fly the F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft.

A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor assigned to the 90th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron flies alongside two Polish F-16s in formation during the NATO Air Shielding media day, Oct. 12, 2022 at Łask Air Base, Poland. The Raptors uphold the Air Shielding mission alongside Polish F-16s and Italian Eurofighter Typhoons. The event showcased the importance of NATOs Air Shielding mission and the interoperability among the U.S. and NATO Allies to international media through trilateral aerial demonstrations and interviews with service members. The U.S. remains dedicated to our security commitments with our NATO Alliance and postured to defend NATO territory.

011207-F-4473M-057. Base: Nellis Air Force Base State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

030220-F-3961R-013. Subject Operation/Series: COPE TIGER 2003 Country: Thailand (THA)

The Nebraska Air National Guards 155th Air Refueling Wing deployed a KC-135Stratotanker to Pardubice Air Base, Czechia, May 2022 in support of ongoingreal-world missions. The KC-135 Stratotanker supplies critical aerial refueling capabilities the to the U.S. and NATO coalition forces, which are operating as part of NATOs Enhanced Air Policing mission.

An air-to-air left side view of three F-15 Eagle aircraft from the 67th Tactical Fighter Squadron waiting to be refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft, in the front. Country: Japan (JPN)

A pair /formation of two US Air Force Boeing F-15C Eagle of the Oregon Air National Guard with missiles / ordnance

Two F-15 Eagle aircraft's from the 67th Fighter Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, fly alongside a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft prior to being refueled while flying over the Pacific Ocean. Country: Unknown

US Navy Boeing F/A-18C above the Pacific Ocean attached to aerial (air to air) refueling tanker boom Washington Air National Guard

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon, assigned to the Ohio National Guards 180th Fighter Wing, flies over the skies of Northwestern Ohio during a test of the Aerospace Control Alert System, April 27, 2022. The purpose of the event is to exercise coordination between the Eastern Air Defense Sector, Federal Aviation Administration and the 180FW, maintaining air sovereignty and air defense through the surveillance and control of airspace over Canada and the U.S.

An air-to-air right side view of an F-16B Fighting Falcon aircraft with a glide bomb mounted on the right outboard wing pylon, AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles on the wingtips, and an AN/ALQ-119 Electronic Countermeasures (ECM) pod on the fuselage centerline. A spin-control parachute container is attached to the aircraft`s tail section. Base: Edwards Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A pair of F-14A "Tomcat" aircraft attached to the "Black Aces" of Fighter Squadron Four One (VF-41) operating from the USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65), air-to-air refuel with a United States Air Force KC135R Stratotanker. Base: Uss Enterprise (CVN 65) Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 92nd Air Refueling Wing refuels a U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler during a sortie over the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex during RED FLAG-Alaska 22-2, June 13, 2022. RFA serves as an ideal platform for international engagement, and the exercise has a long history of including allies and partners, ultimately enabling all involved to exchange tactics, techniques and procedures while improving interoperability.

AN air-to-air right side view of an F-111A banking to the left over a range. The aircraft, assigned to the 391st Tactical Fighter Training Squadron, 366th Tactical Fighter Wing, is flying with swept-back wings. Base: Nellis Air Force Base State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An F-16 from the 169th Fighter Wing in South Carolina travels along the wing 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.

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon, assigned to the 18th Aggressor Squadron, Eielson Air Force Base, flies above the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex during a training sortie for RED FLAG-Alaska 22-2, June 22, 2022. The 18th Aggressor Squadron supports RFA by sharing its knowledge of adversarial tactics, techniques, and procedures to participating units, ensuring the United States and its allies receive the best air combat training possible.

Two F-16C Fighting Falcon Block 52 aircraft's from the 169th Fighter Wing, McEntire Air National Guard Station, South Carolina, in flight. One of the aircraft's is armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles and AIM-120 AMRAAM's (advanced medium-range air-to-air missile). Country: Unknown

An F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft from the 169th Fighter Wing, South Carolina Air National Guard, is refueled by an aircraft from the 134th Air Refueling Wing, Tennessee Air National Guard, over the coast of South Carolina. Country: United States Of America (USA)

An F-16 Fighting Falcon, assigned to the 555th Fighter Squadron, Aviano Air Base, Italy, returns to mission after receiving fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker, 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, over the skies of Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, May 8, 2011.

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle assigned to the 335th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron conducts aerial operations during an agile combat employment exercise with U.S. Central Command regional partners July 12, 2022. Ninth Air Force (AFCENT) led the combined rapid deployment exercise consisting of forward operating location establishment, simulated combat sortie generation, aerial refueling, ground hot-pit refueling as well as command and control procedures. This training demonstrates the flexibility of U.S. airpower assets and maintains interoperability with foreign partners for enhanced security of the region.

020112-F-1851B-306. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

November 25, 2010 - Four U.S. Navy F/A-18 Hornet aircraft fly over mountains in Afghanistan.

020508-F-4814D-025. Subject Operation/Series: NORTHERN WATCH Country: Unknown Scene Major Command Shown: Combined Task Force

AN air-to-air left side view of an F-15 Eagle aircraft firing an advanced medium range air-to-air missile. Country: Unknown

An air-to-air right side view of F-15A Eagle and F-4 Phantom II aircraft in formation at sunset during exercise Alloy Express. Subject Operation/Series: ALLOY EXPRESS Country: Norway (NOR)

030312-F-7709A-011. Base: Utah Test And Training Range State: Utah (UT) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

An air-to-air right side view of an F-15 Eagle aircraft, an A-10A Thunderbolt II aircraft and an F-16 aircraft in formation. The F-16 is carrying AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles on its wing tips. The aircraft are from the 57th Fighter Weapons Wing. State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

010808-F-7910D-017. Base: Buckley Air Force Base State: Colorado (CO) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: Air Combat Command

The inbound and outbound commanders of the 154th Wing fly F-22 Raptors in formation with a KC-135 Stratotanker Sept. 7, 2022, near Oahu, Hawaii. The routine training flight served as an in-flight change of command ceremony as Brig. Gen. Dann S. Carlson relinquished command of the Air National Guard's largest Wing to Col. Phillip L. Mallory.

A KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 92nd Air Refueling Wing, Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., prepares to refuel a F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 64th Aggressor Squadron during a Red Flag 22-1 mission Jan. 28, 2022 over the Nevada Test and Training Range. Aircraft flying as the red force drive static, dynamic and adaptive threat to challenge participants in ways they have never been before. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexandre Montes)

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