Aircraft Maintenance Operations

Images of military personnel performing maintenance and armament tasks on various aircraft, highlighting technical skills and operational readiness.

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Dennis Donahue (below) and Airman 1st Class Desmond Charles (above) from the New Jersey Air National Guard's 177th Fighter Wing disassemble GBU-12 Paveway IIs mounted on an F-16C Fighting Falcon during the annual load crew competition on Jan. 9 at Atlantic City Air National Guard Base, N.J. Donahue and Charles are aircraft armament systems specialists assigned to the 177th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.

041110-F-3715H-214. Base: Tyndall Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Dennis Donahue (below) and Airman 1st Class Desmond Charles (above) from the New Jersey Air National Guard's 177th Fighter Wing disassemble GBU-12 Paveway IIs mounted on an F-16C Fighting Falcon during the annual load crew competition on Jan. 9 at Atlantic City Air National Guard Base, N.J. Donahue and Charles are aircraft armament systems specialists assigned to the 177th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.

Ammunition is loaded aboard an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft during a practice load and preflight exercise. Base: Kunsan Air Base Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

United States Marine Corps aircraft maintenance specialists working on an engine inside an engine nacelle of an MV-22 Osprey, Camp Bastion, Helmand Province, Afghanistan

011021-F-9931S-001. 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

U.S. Marines with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 773 Detachment A, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Forces Reserve, conduct maintenance on an AH-1Z Viper during exercise Gunslinger 22 at Salina, Kansas on June 20, 2022. Routine aircraft maintenance is required to ensure the aircraft is operating within optimal flight conditions.

A U.S. Air Force Airman from the 133rd Air Refueling Squadron directs U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brian Forman, right, 133rd Air Transportation Function, into passion in St. Paul., Minn., Sept. 12, 2022. Airmen from the 109th, 934th, and 156th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadrons prepare a KC-46 Pegasus, 157th Air Refueling Wing, New Hampshire Air National Guard, for training which familiarizes them with its capabilities regarding aeromedical evacuation missions.

Airmen upload a jammer on to the C-17 as part of the Agile Combat Employment training on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., Aug. 24, 2022. Airmen from 6th AS, 305th Air Mobility Wing conducted integrated training and utilized Agile Combat Employment concepts to prepare for Air Force Force Generation deployments. Exercising ACE elements enables our forces to operate with varying levels of capacity and support, to generate lethal combat power. The AFFORGEN model will increase high-end readiness necessary to deploy as cohesive units and deliver Rapid Global Mobility in support of combatant commanders, the Joint Force, and our allies and partners to meet National Defense Strategy requirements.

060829-N-4856C-012. Base: USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7)

DF-ST-87-13181. Base: Air Base 6, Montigo Country: Portugal (PRT)

AIRMAN Rundquist and PETTY Officer Third Class Shaw wash an F/A-18 Hornet aircraft from Strike-Fighter Squadron 25 (VFA-25) aboard the aircraft carrier USS CONSTELLATION (CV-64). Country: Unknown

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Robert Elston, a fixed-wing aircraft mechanic with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232, performs preflight inspections during Cope North 24 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Feb. 20, 2024. Allies and partners train together during the multilateral exercise, Cope North 24, to improve shared tactics and multilateral defense capabilities. Elston is a native of Tennessee. Marine Corps

A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker crew chief assigned to the 379th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron chocks the landing gear of a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker during a hot pit refuel at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, Jan. 1, 2022. The KC-135 delivers U.S. Air Forces Central a global reach aerial refueling capability to support joint and partner nation aircraft throughout the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

030909-M-7837W-015. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Naval Air Station, Fort Worth State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

061114-N-7130B-108. Base: USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76)

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Donald Slayton, a dedicated crewchief assigned to the 13th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, talks U.S. Air Force pilot through a flight control operational checkout March 16, 2010, at Misawa Air Base, Japan. The flight control operational check is part of a checklist that the pilot follows prior to taxiing for his mission.

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Kylie Robey (center), 52nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron F-16 avionics apprentice, works alongside Lockheed-Martin contractors to install a new active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar system onto a 480th Fighter Squadron F-16C Fighting Falcon at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, May 20, 2022. The AESA upgrade provides F-16s a massive leap in combat capabilities, making pilots even more effective than ever before while improving air defenses and overall aircraft survivability when faced with enemy forces.

U.S. Marines with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 773 Detachment A, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, conduct maintenance on an AH-1Z Viper during exercise Gunslinger 22 at Salina, Kansas on June 20, 2022. Routine aircraft maintenance is required to ensure the aircraft is operating within optimal flight conditions.

Technicians from the 2nd Bombardment Wing service one of the engines on a KC-135A Stratotanker aircraft during Proud Shield '92, a Strategic Air Command bombing and navigation competition. Subject Operation/Series: PROUD SHIELD '92 Base: Barksdale Air Force Base State: Louisiana (LA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Members of the 96th and 28th Organizational Maintenance Squadrons remove an engine cowling from a B-1B aircraft. Base: Dyess Air Force Base State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Using a Pettibone crane to hold an Allison T56-A-15 turboprop engine in place on its wing mount, Marines prepare to bolt the engine in place. The Marines are in the process of swapping an engine on a Marine KC-130 Hercules at a forward operating base in the Operation ENDURING FREEDOM area of operations. All are members of the Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron-352 (VMGR-352), Combined Task Force 58. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Country: Unknown Scene Major Command Shown: VMGR 352

Staff Sgt. Tim Smith helps load an inert BDU-50 onto an F-15E Strike Eagle July 20, 2011, during a phase II operational readiness exercise at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. Sergeant Smith is a team chief assigned to the 336th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.

STAFF SGT. Robert Ward, load crewchief, 107th Fighter Interceptor Group, attaches an SUU-23/A 20mm gun pod on an F-4 Phantom II aircraft during Exercise William Tell '88. Subject Operation/Series: WILLIAM TELL '88 Base: Tyndall Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Patrick OBrian, a maintainer with the 167th Maintenance Group, props open a panel on the side of a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft while conducting pre-flight checks during a simulated chemical environment training at the 167th Airlift Wing, Martinsburg, West Virginia, June 10, 2022. This training included maintainers, loadmasters, pilots and other personnel to simulate the process of preparing, loading and flying the aircraft while in a hazardous chemical environment.

Staff Sgt. James Griffin, 25th Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons load crew team chief, prepares to load an A-10 Thunderbolt II while the engines run at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, April 15, 2022. Loading the jet while the engines are on requires precision and care from all parties involved. The weapons load crew team performed the on-loading under the supervision of their leadership and peers. Upon completion of the load, they perform peer checks the ensure it was done correctly.

Members of the 175th Maintenance Squadron, Maryland Air National Guard, prepare an A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft for flight in support of the DEFENDER-Europe 22 exercise, May 18, 2022, at Ämari Air Base, Estonia. DEFENDER-Europe is an annual large-scale U.S. Army-led, multinational, joint exercise designed to build readiness and interoperability between U.S., NATO and partner militaries.

Right side front view medium shot from a low angle looking up as MASTER Sergeant Spyros Siakoulas, an aircraft mechanic of the Hellenic (Greek) Air Force, 114th Composite Group, 331st Tactical Fighter Wing, Greece, performs a post-flight inspection of the nose-gear oleo strut of a Mirage 2000 Fighter. The Hellenic unit is at Aviano Air Base, to train with the 510th Fighter Squadron. The Mirages provide valuable dissimilar training allowing 510th Fighter pilots the opportunity to train against other types of aircraft. (Duplicate image, see also DF-SD-01-06169 or search 000816-F-4728F-005). Base: Aviano Air Base State: Pordenone Country: Italy (ITA)

Airmen assigned to the 5th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron perform maintenance on a B-52H Stratofortress engine at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, Feb. 28, 2024. The 5th Aircraft Maintenance Squadrons primary duties consist of troubleshooting and maintaining the systems of the B-52H Stratofortress. Air Force

A ground crewmen performs maintenance on the APQ-126 radar equipment located in the nose of an A-7 Corsair II aircraft from Carrier Air Wing 6 (CVW-6). Base: Naval Air Station, Fallon State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Airman 1st Class William Airman 1st Class Leyton Wheeler, 332d Expeditionary Fighter Generation Squadron crew chief, performs a preflight inspection on an F-15E Strike Eagle at an undisclosed location, Southwest Asia, Nov. 15, 2022. Preflight checks allow aircrew to guarantee that all systems are working properly, reducing the risk of in-flight emergencies.

An MC-130E Hercules Combat Talon aircraft from the 1ST Special Operations Wing is prepared for a Fulton recovery mission during the joint service Exercise Ocean Venture '92. Subject Operation/Series: OCEAN VENTURE '92 Base: Pope Air Force Base State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

970813-F-7910D-004. Base: Ramstein Air Base State: Rheinland-Pfalz Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)

Col. Phillip L. Mallory, inbound 154th Wing commander, vacates an F-22 Raptor Sept. 7, 2022, at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. Mallory took part in an in-flight change of command ceremony during a routine training sortie. Prior to assuming command of the Air National Guard's largest wing, Mallory most recently served as the 154th Wing vice commander, the 154th Operations Group commander, and the 298th Air Defense Group commander.

041109-F-3118K-014. Base: Tyndall Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

110705-N-BQ817-034ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 5, 2011) Aviation Structural Mechanic Airman Josh Rowell works on the tail gear of an HH-60H Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the Nightdippers of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 5 in the hangar bay of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). Dwight D. Eisenhower is conducting carrier and flight deck certifications in preparation for a deployment.

060916-N-6688R-002. Base: USS Boxer (LHD 4)

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kyle Lind, a crew chief assigned to the 421st Fighter Generation Squadron, Hill Air Force Base (AFB), Utah, conducts routine maintenance on an F-35 Lightning II during Red Flag-Nellis 24-1 at Nellis AFB, Nevada, Jan. 22, 2024. This Red Flag provides complex realistic scenarios concentrated on warfighting in the Indo-Pacific theater.

Senior Airman Nick Madson, 18th Equipment Maintenance Squadron repair and reclamation journeyman, examines system functions on an F-15D Eagle at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan. 25, 2023. Airmen from the 18th EMS conduct maintenance to ensure aircraft functionality across Kadena.

030828-M-7837W-015. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base State: Al Ahmadi Country: Kuwait (KWT)

Airmen assigned to the 451st Air Expeditionary Group work on loading munitions into the A-10 Warthog, Dec. 17, 2018, at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. These Airmen are responsible for inspecting and loading munitions onto aircraft before they fly.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Ben Pritchett, 60th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron flying crew chief, performs a pre-flight check on a C-5C Super Galaxy at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, Oct. 17, 2022. Flying crew chiefs from the 60th AMXS are the only maintainers who can operate on the C-5C, the sole aircraft capable of supporting the Surface Water and Ocean Topography mission.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Carlos Reyes, 75th Fighter Generation Squadron weapons load crew chief, loads weapons onto an A-10C Thunderbolt II during a third quarter load crew competition at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, Oct. 7, 2022. During these quarterly competitions, participants are required to do a uniform inspection, take a written exam and perform loading duties.

New Mexico National Guard images

030403-M-5607A-012. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Country: Iraq (IRQ)

Master Sgt. Marcella Phillips, 96th Aircraft Maintenance Unit (AMU) weapons standardization evaluator watches as Senior Airman Michael Becker, 96th AMU weapons load crew member, gives directions to other load crew members during the 2nd Maintenance Group annual weapons load competition, at Barksdale Air Force Base La., Jan. 11, 2023. Load competitions focus on speed and accuracy, with teams going head-to-head to improve their skills.

Corporal Michael Hood, USMC, (left) and Lance Corporal Andres Almaguer USMC, (right), bolt the hoist in place to remove the Allison T56-A-15 turboprop engine from the aircraft. The Marines are in the process of swapping an engine on a Marine KC-130 Hercules at a forward operating base in the Operation ENDURING FREEDOM area of operations. Both are members of the Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron-352 (VMGR-352), Combined Task Force 58. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Country: Unknown Scene Major Command Shown: VMGR 352

STAFF Sergeant Matthew Allen, US Air Force (USAF), (left), and AIRMAN First Class Luis Noriega, USAF, 437th Aircraft Generation Squadron, Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina, install a starter motor in a Pratt & Whitney F11-P-100 engine of a C-17A Globemaster III. The work takes place on the ramp at Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sicily, during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. 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 Base: Naval Air Station, Sigonella State: Sicily Country: Italy (ITA) Scene Major Command Shown: AMC

A U.S. Air Force Airman assigned to the 355th Equipment Maintenance Squadron performs routine maintenance on an A-10 Thunderbolt II at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Oct. 19, 2022. The 355th Maintenance Group consists of over 2,000 Airmen in 3 Squadrons and is responsible for eight flying squadrons, over 100 aircraft and performs on and off equipment aircraft maintenance.

A B-1B Lancer is marshalled to a full stop at RAF Fairford, United Kingdom. B-1B Lancers have deployed to RAF Fairford to support NATO Operation Allied Force. Subject Operation/Series: ALLIED FORCE Base: Raf Fairford State: Gloucestershire Country: England / Great Britain (ENG)

Aviation ordnancemen load a laser-guided bomb onto the pylon of an A-6E intruder aircraft on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Independence (CV-62). The carrier is underway in the gulf during Operation Southern Watch, a multinational effort establishing a no-fly zone for Iraqi aircraft south of the 32nd parallel in Iraq. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH Country: Unknown

U.S Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 101, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 11, 3rd Maine Aircraft Wing (MAW), load a CATM-120D captive air training missile onto an F/A-18C Hornet during combat aircraft loading area (CALA) training on Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, June 16, 2022. The CATM-120D is the training variant of the AIM-120D AMRAAM (Advanced Medium Range Air-To-Air Missile). CALA training with different ordnance allows MAG-11 to capitalize on the multi roll capability of the F/A-18, enabling the aircraft to fight its way through a contested environment and attack a target. The Marines used the CALA training to sharpen their capability to load live ordnance onto aircraft, which ensures 3rd MAW is ready to be forward deployed and engaged, anytime, anywhere, at a moment's notice.

A squadron maintenance crewman inspects an engine intake as part of a preflight check of an Attack Squadron 34 (VA-34) A-6E Intruder aircraft on the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN-69) during FLEET EX '90. Subject Operation/Series: FLEET EX '90 Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

DF-ST-85-05127. Subject Operation/Series: THUNDERHOG V Base: Myrtle Beach Air Force Base State: South Carolina (SC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A crew chief assigned to the 718th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron stows equipment inside a KC-135 Stratotanker prior to a refueling flight in support of Exercise Southern Beach at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Sept. 15, 2022. Southern Beach brings together U.S. and host nation forces in an effort to create bilateral solutions to accomplish the mission and execute those solutions as one team.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Bryan Saydeh, a data systems administrator with 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment in support of Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force UNITAS LXIII, washes a joint light tactical vehicle aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) during exercise UNITAS LXIII, in Rio de Janeiro, Sept. 9, 2022. UNITAS is the worlds longest-running annual multinational maritime exercise that focuses on enhancing interoperability among multiple nations and joint forces during littoral and amphibious operations in order to build on existing regional partnerships and create new enduring relationships that promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the U.S. Southern Commands area of responsibility. Saydeh is a native of Cleveland, Ohio.

US Air Force SENIOR AIRMAN Rhasaan Kimbrough, 36th Fighter Squadron, secures a Paveway III Laser Guided Bomb (GBU-24) attached to the wing of an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft during the Operational Readiness Inspection at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. Base: Osan Air Base Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

041112-F-2390B-015. Base: Tyndall Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A 336th Aircraft Maintenance Unit maintainer conducts recovery procedures on an F-15E Strike Eagle at Kadena Air Base, Japan, April 8, 2023. The reception of advanced fighter aircraft at Kadena ensures the 18th Wing remains postured to deliver lethal and credible airpower to ensure the defense of U.S. allies and a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Leading Aircraftman Pasaricek Dalibor, 10th Squadron, RAAF Edinburgh, Australia, turns the props on the RAAF AP-3C Orion aircraft used for long distance surveillance and interdiction missions as it sits on the flightline at Andersen Air Force Base (AFB), Guam. The aircraft and crew are on station to participate in the joint exercise TANDEM THRUST 03, a joint US, Canada, and Australia exercise conducted in the Marianas islands to include Guam and Tinian. Base: Andersen Air Base State: Guam (GU) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Aviation Electronics Technician 3rd Class Jager locingsworth, from Griswold, Connecticut, assigned to the "Spartans" of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 70, performs routine maintenance on an MH-60R SeaHawk in USS Gerald R. Fords (CVN 78) hangar bay, April 12, 2022. Ford is underway in the Atlantic Ocean conducting carrier qualifications and strike group integration as part of the ships tailored basic phase prior to operational deployment.

DF-ST-89-05899. Base: Nellis Air Force Base State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

US Air Force SENIOR AIRMAN Shain Grass, USAF First Lieutenant Steve Jacque and USAF AIRMAN First Class Tracey Montgomery help each other push a pallet onto a Swedish C-130 Hercules transport plane prior to aircraft take-off from Tuzla Air Base, Bosnia and Herzegovina. A1C Montgomery and SRA Grass are both Air Transportation Specialists with the 621st Aerial Port Squadron, McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey. All are temporarily assigned to the 4100th Group Provisional at Tuzla Air Base, Bosnia and Herzegovina in support of Operation JOINT ENDEAVOR. Subject Operation/Series: JOINT ENDEAVOR Base: Tuzla Air Base Country: Bosnia And/I Herzegovina (BIH)

A maintainer from the 419th Fighter Wing, Hill Air Force Base, Utah checks the tires of an F-35A Lightning II before the first flight of the day at exercise Sentry Savannah on May 6, 2022. Exercises like Sentry Savannah, not only train and test the counter air capabilities of fighter pilots, but they provide critical experience and training to maintenance Airmen in the rapid employment and recovery of aircraft.

040726-F-6175D-143. Base: Eielson Air Force Base State: Alaska (AK) Country: United States Of America (USA)

220617-N-LI114-1113 PHILIPPINE SEA (June 17, 2022) Naval Air Crewman (Mechanical) 2nd Class Makenna L. Doherty, from Chicago, assigned to the Providers of Fleet Logistics Squadron (VRC) 30, deployed aboard the U.S. Navys only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), waits for the signal to deploy an inflatable boat platform from a C-2A Greyhound during parachute insertion operations during Exercise Valiant Shield 2022 (VS22). VS22 is a U.S.-only, biennial field training exercise (FTX) focused on integration of joint training in a multi-domain environment. This training builds real-world proficiency in sustaining world forces through detecting, locating, tracking and engaging units at sea, in the air, on land and in cyberspace in response to a range of mission areas.

Flight deck crewmen service an A-6 Intruder aircraft during flight operations aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS CARL VINSON (CVN-70). Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

DF-ST-85-01790. Subject Operation/Series: COPE THUNDER 83-7 Base: Clark Air Base State: Luzon Country: Philippines (PHL)

Gen. Daniel R. Hokanson, 29th Chief of the National Guard Bureau, ascends to the cockpit of a B-2 Spirit bomber at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, Aug. 6, 2022. Hokanson visited Whiteman to see how the 131st and 509th bomb wings combine to accomplish the B-2 mission from ground to air.

Airmen assigned to the New York Air National Guards 105th Airlift Wing, ensure that HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters from the 106th Rescue Wing are secured after being loaded onto a C-17 assigned to the 105th Airlift Wing at Gabreski Air National Guard Base in Westhampton Beach, New York on August 19, 2022. The aircraft are being sent to Brazil where it will be used to participate in Exercise Tapio, a combined Brazilian- U.S. irregular warfare exercise in Campo Grade, Brazil. The New York Air National Guard is sending 100 Airmen from the two wings to participate as part of the State Partnership Program relationship with Brazil,

Airman assigned to the 6th Airlift Squadron load cargo onto a C-17 Globemaster III during the Tactics Advancement Course at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., Feb. 7, 2024. Airmen assigned to the 6th Airlift Squadron loaded cargo onto the C-17 in order to provide support for the F-22 Raptors at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va. The advancements course postures Air Mobility Command Airmen to execute agile operations on a global scale. Air Force

A Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) aircrewman makes a pre-flight inspection of the wheel well of a P-3C Orion patrol aircraft in preparation for an anti-submarine warfare mission during the exercise RIMPAC 98. Subject Operation/Series: RIMPAC '98 Base: Naval Air Station, Barbers Point State: Hawaii (HI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

010329-M-8539A-069. Subject Operation/Series: MILLENNIUM EDGE Base: Osan Air Base Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Garrett Henning, CH-53E Super Stallion mechanic, Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 366, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, conducts maintenance on the blades of a CH-53E Super Stallion on Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River in Jacksonville, North Carolina, Aug. 31, 2022. HMH-366 aviation maintenance Marines conduct routine preventative maintenance on CH-53E Super Stallion to ensure a constant state of readiness. MCAS New River provides aviation support, force protection, infrastructure, and community services to promote the readiness, sustainment and quality of life for II Marine Expeditionary Force and other military forces, tenant commands, personnel and their families.

ARABIAN SEA (Dec. 12, 2018) Marines assigned to the Avengers” of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211 load a guided bomb unit (GBU) 49 onto an F-35B Lightning II on the flight deck of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group and the Essex Amphibious Ready Group are conducting integrated operations in the Arabian Sea to ensure stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points.

STAFF SGT. Ronnie Cameron uses a forklift to position a cabinet in the doorway of a KC-135A Stratotanker aircraft. The aircraft will be carrying its cargo to the Persian Gulf region in support of Operation Desert Shield. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Base: Eaker Air Force Base State: Arkansas (AR) Country: United States Of America (USA)

AN F-4E Phantom II aircraft is being uploaded with missiles during exercise Crested Cap. Subject Operation/Series: CRESTED CAP Base: Ramstein Air Base State: Rheinland-Pfalz Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)

A UH-60A Black Hawk helicopter is loaded into a C-141 Starlifter aircraft. Members of the 101st Airborne Division are loading two UH-60A helicopters aboard a C-141 during testing of a new transportability kit. Base: Fort Campbell State: Kentucky (KY) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. troops unload supplies from a C-5 Galaxy aircraft during exercise Bright Star '82. Subject Operation/Series: BRIGHT STAR '82 Base: Cairo Country: Egypt (EGY)

DN-ST-89-02742. Base: USS Constellation (CV 64) Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

Crewmen board an RH-53 Sea Stallion helicopter on the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS NIMITZ (CVN-68) prior to the start of Operation Evening Light, a rescue mission to Iran. Subject Operation/Series: EVENING LIGHT Country: Indian Ocean (IOC)

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Ryan Smith, Maintenance Special Operations Integrated Communication and Navigations Systems journeyman, with the 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron from Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, inspects a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft engine after relocating to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, during Hurricane Ian Sept. 28, 2022. The 88th Air Base Wing Airmen provided strength through support as aircraft and aircrews from installations affected by the hurricane arrived seeking safety.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Austin Sondergard, 605th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, performs pre-flight checks on a KC-10 extender at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. on Oct. 10, 2022. Sondergard received brain surgery to remove an arteriovenous malformation, and later suffered losses to both memory, speech, and motor skills due to a stroke. Recovered, Sondergard returned to his duties as a Crew Chief and hobby as an avid powerlifter.

Flight deck crew members and ordnance crew members use an HLU-196 bomb hoist to load an AIM-7 Sparrow missile onto the pylon of an EA-6B Prowler aircraft on the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN-72). Country: Caribbean Sea

Aviation fuel technician attaches a fuel line to an AV-8B Harrier.

221003-N-TC847-1001 IONIAN SEA (Oct. 3, 2022) Aviation Structural Mechanic 2nd Class Emmett Kellett, assigned to the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), performs pre-flight maintenance on a MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter, attached to the Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 46, Oct. 3, 2022. Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7 is the offensive air and strike component of Carrier Strike Group 10, George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (GHWBCSG). The squadrons of CVW-7 are Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 86, VFA-103, VFA-136, VFA-143, Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 140, Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 121, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5, and HSM-46. The GHWBCSG is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied, and partner interests.

220502-N-VH871-1033 U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (May 2, 2022) Lt. Alan Osbourne, left, Lt. Vince Gardella, center, and Lt. Evan Purdy, assigned to the "Grey Knights" of Patrol Squadron (VP) 46, deployed with Commander, Task Force (CTF) 57, conduct training on a Rextorp training torpedo, May 2nd. CTF 57 aircraft conduct missions in support of maritime operations to ensure security and stability in the Middle East region.

220721-N-XN177-2251 PACIFIC OCEAN (July 21, 2022) - U.S. Marines unload cargo from an MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 262 on the flight deck aboard amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli (LHA 7), July 21, 2022. Tripoli is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and maintain stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Aviation Structural Mechanic AIRMAN Jason Severson tightens the bolts on the rotors of a SH-60F from Carrier-Based Antisubmarine Warfare Helicopter Squadron Seven (HS-7), "Dusty Dogs", in the hangar bay of USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). TRUMAN is on station in the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH (OSW). OSW is the mission that enforces the coalition imposed southern "no-fly zone" over Iraq. Aviation Structural Mechanic Airman Jason Severson tightens the bolts on the rotors of a SH-60F from Carrier-Based Antisubmarine Warfare Helicopter Squadron Seven (HS-7), "Dusty Dogs", in the hangar bay of USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). TRUMAN is on station in the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH (OSW). OSW is the mission that enforces the coalition imposed southern "no-fly zone" over Iraq.

DF-ST-88-03486. Base: Dyess Air Force Base State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Airmen assigned to Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., help to load cargo onto a C-17 Globemaster III with the 6th Airlift Squadron during the Tactics Advancement Course at JBLE, Feb. 7, 2024. Airmen assigned to the 6th Airlift Squadron loaded cargo onto the C-17 in order to provide support for the F-22 Raptors at JBLE. The advancements course postures Air Mobility Command Airmen to execute agile operations on a global scale. Air Force

Georgia Air National Guardsmen from the 165th Maintenance Group engine and propulsion shop work on the flight line to change the thrust nut seal located behind one of the NP-2000 propellers of a C-130 Hercules after it was found to have a leak on July 5, 2022 in Savannah, Georgia. This is not a job they have to do often, so it gave Airmen who work in the shop full-time the opportunity to train some of those who were here for their annual training on the tasks involved in changing out the seal.

SRA Jeff Holder guides a Mk-82 bomb as it is raised into B-52H Stratofortress at RAF Fairford, England. Holder is assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, and is deployed to RAF Fairford as part of the 2nd Air Expeditionary Group supporting NATO Operation Allied Force. Subject Operation/Series: ALLIED FORCE Base: Raf Fairford State: Gloucestershire Country: England / Great Britain (ENG)

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Carl Payne, a flying crew chief deployed to the 721st Mobility Support Squadron, conducts a maintenance inspection on a C-17 Globemaster III at Indianapolis International Airport, Indiana, May 22, 2022. U.S. Transportation Command expeditiously coordinated across federal agencies, including the Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services and the Food and Drug Administration, to support U.S. President Joe Bidens direction to conduct Operation Fly Formula. The mission was executed with urgency and safety by 521st Air Mobility Operations Wing Airmen stationed on Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and a Total Force aircrew stationed at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, currently staged at Ramstein AB.

U-2 crew chiefs kneel on the ground to refer to technical orders during maintenance on a trainer U-2 aircraft. PHOTO published in AIRMAN Magazine, June 1996.Exact Date Shot Unknown. U-2 crew chiefs kneel on the ground to refer to technical orders during maintenance on a trainer U-2 aircraft. Photo published in Airman Magazine, June 1996.Exact Date Shot Unknown

Ordnancemen load sonobuoys into an S-3 Viking aircraft on the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN-69) during FLEET EX '90. Subject Operation/Series: FLEET EX '90 Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

CPL. G.E. Cisco inspects and inventories a CATM-9M Sidewinder captive air training missile mounted on the wing tip of a Marine Strike Fighter Squadron 321 (VMHA-321) F/A-18A Hornet aircraft. The reserve squadron is at Fallon for two weeks of active duty training at the Naval Air Warfare Center target complex. Base: Naval Air Station, Fallon State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Keegan Salas, 50th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refueling specialist, stows away safety gear prior to takeoff at Al Udied Air Base, Qatar, May 2, 2022. The KC-135 provides core refueling capabilities in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

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