Aircraft Maintenance and Operations

Ground crew performing maintenance on various military aircraft, showcasing technical work and pre-flight checks during historical operations.

Ground crew personnel work on an RF-4C Phantom II aircraft competing in the 1988 Worldwide Reconnaissance Air Meet (RAM '88). Base: Bergstrom Air Force Base State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

AIRMAN 1ST Class Dan Focht, crew chief, checks under his F-15C Eagle aircraft as SENIOR AIRMAN Keith Prestridge remains in contact with the pilot. The 53rd Fighter Squadron aircraft has just returned from a mission during Operation Deny Flight, the enforcement of the United Nations-sanctioned no-fly zone over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Subject Operation/Series: DENY FLIGHT Base: Aviano Air Base State: Pordenone Country: Italy (ITA)

A crew from the 1708th Bomb Wing's aircraft battle damage repair section works on a B-52G Stratofortress bomber aircraft damaged during a mission in support of Operation Desert Storm.. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Unknown

A member of the 42nd Aircraft Maintenance Unit conducts a final pre-launch check of a 55th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-111E aircraft during the U.S. Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) exercise Display Determination '89. Subject Operation/Series: DISPLAY DETERMINATION '89 Base: Aviano Air Base State: Pordenone Country: Italy (ITA)

A left side view of an A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft on static display during a tour of air bases on Korea to familiarize Korean and American field commanders with its capabilities. In the foreground are several types of bombs that can be carried by the A-10. Base: Osan Air Base Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

Ground crew personnel work on an RF-4C Phantom II aircraft competing in the 1988 Worldwide Reconnaissance Air Meet (RAM '88). Base: Bergstrom Air Force Base State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Military personnel perform maintenance on an A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft during exercise Bright Star '82. Subject Operation/Series: BRIGHT STAR '82 Base: Cairo Country: Egypt (EGY)

DF-ST-87-09784. Subject Operation/Series: TEAM SPIRIT Base: Taegu Air Base Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

DF-ST-86-09204. Base: Raaf Williamtown Country: Australia (AUS)

DF-ST-85-05121. Subject Operation/Series: THUNDERHOG V Base: Myrtle Beach Air Force Base State: South Carolina (SC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-ST-89-10413. Base: Bergstrom Afb State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A left front view of an F-15A Eagle aircraft being readied for departure during Exercise Sidewinder II. The aircraft is from the 71st Tactical Fighter Squadron, 1ST Tactical Fighter Wing. Subject Operation/Series: SIDEWINDER II Base: Amsterdam Country: Holland / Netherlands (HOL)

DF-ST-87-07801. Base: Incirlik Air Base, Adana Country: Turkey (TUR)

Members of 48th Fighter Wing, Royal Air Force Lakenheath United Kingdom, volunteered to help restore an F-15E Eagle aircraft static display at Imperial War Museum, Duxford, England. The F-15E, which is on loan from the United Sates Air Force Museum, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, is one of about 40 American aircraft on display at the Imperial War Museum. Base: Duxford Country: United Kingdom (UK)

DF-ST-88-05420. Subject Operation/Series: COBRA GOLD Country: Unknown

DN-ST-89-05700. Base: Unknown

DF-ST-88-03473. Base: Dyess Air Force Base State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A U.S. Air Force fuels specialist from the 23rd Tactical Fighter Wing, England, Air Force Base, La., replenishes the fuel tank on an A-10A Thunderbolt II attack aircraft prior to a sortie in support of Operation Desert Storm. The Thunderbolt II is armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles mounted under the wing.. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Unknown

DF-ST-87-07442. Subject Operation/Series: GALLANT EAGLE '86 Base: Palmdale State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

TSGT Frank C. McGee, a crew chief with the 20th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, marshals a 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron OV-10A Bronco aircraft out of its spot on the flight line. Base: Shaw Air Force Base State: South Carolina(SC) Country: United States Of America(USA)

A ground crew repairs the engine of a C-141 Starlifter aircraft during Exercise Brim Frost '81. Subject Operation/Series: BRIM FROST '81 Base: Elmendorf Air Force Base State: Alaska (AK) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Ground crewmen, in chemical warfare gear, load an Mark 82 bombs onto the pylon of an A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft during Exercise UREX '82. Subject Operation/Series: UREX '82 Base: Sembach Air Base Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)

SGT. Ken Mahaley, crew chief, 17th Avionics Squadron, launches an F-16C Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft of the 363rd Tactical Fighter Wing, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., during the first wave of the air attack on Iraq in support of Operation Desert Storm. The Falcon is armed with Mark 84 2,000-pound bombs mounted under its wings.. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Unknown

Crew members board an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft while the ammunition door is opened during practice load and preflight exercise. Base: Kunsan Air Base Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

001015-N-6097C-005. Base: Naval Air Station, Norfolk State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-ST-89-09191. Base: Raf Waddington Country: England / Great Britain (ENG)

DF-ST-88-10242. Base: Elmendorf Air Force Base State: Alaska (AK) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Panavia Tornado Gr.1 from the Royal Air Force during an open day in the Netherlands.

A Chinese Nanchang Q-5 Air Force jet fighter preparing for take-off. China. 1985.

A 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing member spray paints a design on an F-4E Phantom II aircraft during exercise Cope North '80. AN ALQ-119 electronic countermeasure pod is mounted on the fuselage of the aircraft. Subject Operation/Series: COPE NORTH '80 Base: Naval Air Facility, Misawa State: Aomori Country: Japan (JPN)

DF-ST-85-03580. Subject Operation/Series: BRIGHT STAR '82 Base: Wadi Seidna Air Base Country: Sudan (SDN)

Family members, fellow officers, and a color guard wait for the remains of MAJ F. Ribas-Dominicci to be transported from a C-141B Starlifter aircraft to a waiting hearse. The airman was killed during a United States air strike on targets in Libya. Base: Dover Air Force Base State: Delaware (DE) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A flight deck crew member connects tie-down chains to an E-2C Hawkeye aircraft on the aircraft carrier USS SARATOGA (CV-60) during Operation Desert Storm. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Red Sea

United States Air Force (USAF) B-52 Stratofortress maintenance personnel from the 28th Air Expeditionary Wing (AEW) perform a Foreign Object Damage (FOD) walk down the flightline during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Diego Garcia Country: British Indian Ocean Territory (IOT)

A left front view of an inert version of the advanced medium range air-to-air missiles loaded under the left wing of an Air Force F-15A Eagle aircraft. Base: Eglin Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An AIM-9 Sidewinder missile installed on the right wingtip launcher of an F-5E Tiger II aircraft. Country: Unknown

US Air Force KC-135 Stratotankers from the 22nd Aerial Refueling Squadron, McConnel Air Force Base, Kansas, and the 92nd Aerial Refueling Squadron, Fairchild AFB, Spokane, Washington, are parked on the ramp at Moron Air Base, Spain to continue aerial refueling operations in support of Operation Phoenix Duke II. US Air Force KC-135 Stratotankers from the 22nd Aerial Refueling Squadron, McConnel Air Force Base, Kansas, and the 92nd Aerial Refueling Squadron, Fairchild AFB, Spokane, Washington, are parked on the ramp at Moron Air Base, Spain to continue aerial refueling operations in support of Operation Phoenix Duke II.

Equipment is offloaded from a C-130 Hercules aircraft during Exercise Reforger '81. Subject Operation/Series: REFORGER '81 Base: Giessen Army Air Field Country: West Germany (FRG)

A female US Army mechanic services a CH-47 Chinook helicopter engine. Country: Unknown

Brazilian air force personnel prepare to hook up a power unit to a 50th Tactical Airlift Squadron C-130E Hercules aircraft during the joint U.S./Brazilian exercise Saci '84. Subject Operation/Series: SACI '84 Base: Rio De Janeiro Country: Brazil (BRA)

DF-ST-86-05019. Subject Operation/Series: TRIAD '84 Base: Ohakea Air Base Country: New Zealand (NZL)

A Marine Attack Squadron 231 (VMA-231) AV-8A Harrier II aircraft stands on the flight line after arriving to take part in a flyover during the National Victory Celebration. The day-long event will be held in honor of the liberation of Kuwait by coalition forces during Operatio Desert Storm. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Base: Andrews Air Force Base State: Maryland (MD) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Aviation maintenancemen inspect the cockpit of an A-7E Corsair II aircraft during operation El Dorado, a retaliatory strike on Libyan terrorist targets. Subject Operation/Series: OPERATION EL DORADO Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

Airmen, clothed in their chemical warfare gear, begin their training in an F-4E Phantom II aircraft apron area during the exercise Crested Cap. Subject Operation/Series: CRESTED CAP Base: Ramstein Air Base State: Rheinland-Pfalz Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)

DF-ST-86-05014. Subject Operation/Series: TRIAD '84 Base: Ohakea Air Base Country: New Zealand (NZL)

South Vietnam, May 1968The 120th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Colorado Air National Guard arrived at Phan Rang AB, Vietnam, during the concluding days of the second Viet Cong offensive of 1968. The squadron was ordered into active Federal service as a result of the Pueblo incident in January 1968, along with three other F-100 tactical fighter squadrons: 136th TFS, New York, 174th TFS, Iowa, 188th TFS, New Mexico. The 120th TFS entered combat on 5 May 1968, two days after its arrival, and completed its 1,000th mission 51 days later.During the Air National Guard's eleven months of service in Vietnam, the four F-100 squadrons flew 24,124 combat sorties and accumulated 38,614 combat flying hours. The Air Guard's record proved, once again, the combat-ready status and professionalism of the Air National Guard.

A front view of an AV-8B Harrier aircraft from Marine Light Attack Squadron 513 (VMA-513) parked under a net on a portable runway during Operation Comfort. Subject Operation/Series: COMFORT Base: Twentynine Palms State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Moving the V-22 Osprey into a Hangar

DF-ST-89-00654. Subject Operation/Series: FLINTLOCK Base: Rhein-Main Air Base Country: West Germany (FRG)

DF-ST-87-13124. Subject Operation/Series: AMALGHAM CHIEF '87-1 Base: Atlantic City State: New Jersey (NJ) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A Boeing (Rockwell) OV-10 Bronco and in the foreground a Northrop Grumman (Fairchild) A-10 Thunderbolt, both of the American Air Force during Mot & E at the Leeuwarden airbase.

DN-SC-87-06087. Base: USS Dwight D Eisenhower (CVN 69) Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

DF-ST-87-09714. Subject Operation/Series: TEAM SPIRIT Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

MASTER Sergeant Johnny Bartosh and Technical Sergeant George Bailey of the 317th Airlift Squadron, Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina, chain down an MH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter on the ramp and check for clearances on the C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. Base: Davis-Monthan Air Force Base State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Painter Cleaning Tail Section of P-51 Fighter Plane on Outdoor Assembly Line Prior to Spraying Olive-Drab Camouflage of U.S. Army, North American Aviation, Inc, Inglewood, California, USA, Alfred T. Palmer for Office of War Information, October 1942

Officiating judges at competition William Tell '94 look on as weapons load specialists from the 18WG, Kadena AB, Japan, put air-to-air missiles on their F-15 aircraft, during the static Weapons Load event. Base: Tyndall Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A Marine hoses down an RF-4B Phantom II aircraft from Marine Photoreconnaissance Squadron 3 (VMFP-3) on the wash rack. Base: Marine Corps Air Station El Toro State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-ST-88-08610. Subject Operation/Series: AFRICAN EAGLE 87 Country: Morocco (MAR)

DF-ST-89-00294. Base: Royal Air Force Mildenhall Country: England / Great Britain (ENG)

DF-SC-86-05743. Country: Unknown

DF-ST-86-11278. Base: Van Nuys Air National Guard Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Air crew members service the Vulcan 20mm multi-barrel cannon in the tail turret of a B-52H Stratofortress aircraft during the Strategic Air Command bombing/navigation competition Proud Shield '88. Subject Operation/Series: PROUD SHIELD '88 Base: Minot Air Force Base State: North Dakota (ND) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-ST-85-02987. Subject Operation/Series: TEAM SPIRIT '84 Base: Wheeler Air Force Base State: Hawaii (HI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Launching officers aboard the aircraft carrier USS MIDWAY (CV 41) prepare to give the go signal to an A-7E Corsair II aircraft positioned on the catapult. Country: Unknown

A left front view of an F-4 Phantom II aircraft from the 563rd Tactical Fighter Squadron, George Air Force Base, California, being prepared for flight by ground crewmen during Exercise Reforger '81. Subject Operation/Series: REFORGER '81 Base: Raf Wildenrath Country: Federal Republic Of Germany (FRG)

A ground crewman assists a Navy Blue Angels precision flight team pilot into the cockpit of his A-4F Skyhawk aircraft during the 1986 Armed Forces Day open house. Base: Andrews Air Force Base State: Maryland (MD) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Egyptian and U.S. troops unload a CH-3 Jolly Green Giant helicopter from a C-5 Galaxy aircraft during Exercise Bright Star '82. Subject Operation/Series: BRIGHT STAR '82 Base: Cairo Country: Egypt (EGY)

An OA-4M Skyhawk aircraft from Marine Aircraft Group 12 (MAG-12), foreground, and a TA-4J Skyhawk aircraft from Fleet Composite Squadron 5 (VC-5) sit in a hangar while undergoing maintenance during the combined Thai/U.S. joint Exercise Thalay Thai '89. Subject Operation/Series: THALAY THAI '89 Base: Utapao Air Base Country: Thailand (THA)

An A-10A "Warthog" of the 74th Fighter Squadron/23rd Wing is backed into a hangar for protection from Hurricane Fran. Due to maintenance problems the aircraft could not be flown out of Pope. Base: Pope Air Force Base State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Royal Jordanian Air Force 2LT Mohammed Hameid and CPT Tim McGilvra perform a pre-flight inspection of a T-37 aircraft prior to flying a training mission. Base: Williams Air Force Base State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-ST-89-02219. Subject Operation/Series: AIRLIFT RODEO Base: Pope Air Force Base State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Ordnancemen attach a GBU-15 glide bomb to a pylon under the wing of an aircraft. Country: Unknown

Members of the 21st Air Mobility Command, McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey, unload a helicopter a C-5 Galaxy aircraft at Biggs Army Airfield, Texas. The helicopter will transport personnel to various sites during Exercise ROVING SANDS '96. Subject Operation/Series: ROVING SANDS '96 Base: Biggs Army Air Field, El Paso State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Mark 82, 500 lbs. gravity bombs sit on support beams waiting to be loaded onto a B-1B "Lancer" long-range strategic bomber from the 28th Bomb Wing, Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota. Elements of the 28th BW are deployed to RAF Fairford, United Kingdom to support NATO Operation Allied Force in Kosovo. Subject Operation/Series: ALLIED FORCE Base: Raf Fairford State: Gloucestershire Country: England / Great Britain (ENG)

Two aircraft from the Marine Aviation Service abroad.The Lockheed SP-2H Neptune with registration number 203 (1961-1982) with the Grumman S2F-1 Tracker with registration number 164 (1960-1974).

Cargo and troops are off loaded from a C-141 Starlifter aircraft during Exercise Team Spirit '82. Subject Operation/Series: TEAM SPIRIT '82 Base: Osan Air Base Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

Nike-Hercules rockets on the Launching area at the 1st group of arms guided weapons in Handorf, West Germany.

Three-quarter right front view of a North American Mustang Mk. IV being equipped with drop tanks, somewhere in Korea. The aircraft bears the markings of the South African Air Force. Three men move a drop tank prior to attaching it to the right wing of the aircraft. A fourth man stands to one side. Several other men work under the left wing. Other men and vehicles appear in the background.

Fort Bragg, North Carolina , Soldiers, Transport planes, Tichnor Brothers Collection, postcards of the United States

A C-5A Galaxy aircraft has equipment off-loaded from it during exercise Bright Star '83. Base: Somalia Airport Country: Somalia (SOM)

A pilot with the air force of Qatar performs a preflight check on his Mirage F1 aircraft prior to taking off on a mission during Operation Desert Storm.. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Saudi Arabia(SAU)

DF-ST-86-08841. Base: Clark Air Base State: Luzon Country: Philippines (PHL)

980620-F-9580Z-040. Base: Mcchord Air Force Base State: Washington (WA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Mounting a search head on a bomb body under a General Dynamics F-16a Fighting Falcon in a hangar. A free Val-Bom is thus transformed into a laser guide bomb. The bomb is a GBU-10C Paveway II.

DF-ST-86-05039. Subject Operation/Series: TRIAD '84 Base: Whenuapai Air Base Country: New Zealand (NZL)

DN-ST-87-03732. Base: Naval Station, Roosevelt Roads Country: Puerto Rico (PRI)

A left side view of a Marine AV-8A Harrier aircraft sitting on the flight line. The Harrier is a unit of Marine Attack Squadron 513 (VMA-513). Base: Naval Air Station, Whiting Field State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Egyptian and U.S. troops are checked off a list as they prepare to board an aircraft to take part in Exercise Bright Star '82. Subject Operation/Series: BRIGHT STAR '82 Base: Cairo Country: Egypt (EGY)

DF-ST-89-05441. Base: Osan Air Base Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

The crew for her Breguet BR1150 Atlantic (SP-13A) maritime patrol range (1969-1984).

Two Security Police augmentees of the 169th Fighter Wing point their M-16 rifles at their kneeling intruder. They are on the flight line in Condition Black of an Operation Readiness Exercise. They all wear protective chemical warfare suits. Base: Mcentire Ang Station State: South Carolina (SC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

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