F-16 Fighter Jets In Action

A collection of various F-16 fighter jets in flight and taxiing. Images show different color schemes and armaments, highlighting military aviation capabilities.

April 8, 2011 - A Dutch F-16AM armed with AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles during a combat air patrol sortie in support of Operation Unified Protector over the Mediterranean Sea close to Libya.

April 8, 2011 - A Dutch F-16AM armed with AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles during a combat air patrol sortie in support of Operation Unified Protector over the Mediterranean Sea close to Libya.

A Hellenic Air Force F-16 taxiing at Trapani Air Base, Italy.

010811-F-7910D-004. Base: Buckley Air Force Base State: Colorado (CO) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: AETC

030114-F-2171A-003. State: Georgia (GA) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: AETC/ANG

041116-F-8362B-162. Base: Misawa Air Base Country: Japan (JPN)

A Chilean Air Force F-16 soars through the sky over Brazil after being refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker during Exercise CRUZEX V.

Rear view of a fighter plane in flight, F/A-18C Hornet, US Navy

Rear view of a fighter plane in flight, F/A-18C Hornet, US Navy

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Pilot, 140th Wing, Colorado Air National Guard, takes flight to perform combat aerial maneuvers at Miramar Marine Corp Air Station on Aug 3, 2022. The 140th Wing is performing aerial maneuver training exercises with the F-18 fighter jets, stationed at Miramar Marine Corp Air Station, to enhance their wartime readiness capabilities utilizing the latest combat scenarios.

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft assigned to the 494th Fighter Squadron from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, flies during Tactical Leadership Programme 22-3 at Los Llanos Air Base, Spain, Sept. 26, 2022. TLP prepares NATO and allied forces flight leaders to be mission commanders, lead coalition force air strike packages and provide tactical air expertise to NATO agencies.

000509-F-5697C-004. Subject Operation/Series: COBRA GOLD 2000 Base: Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base Country: Thailand (THA) Scene Major Command Shown: Pacific Air Forces

An F-16 Fighting Falcon takes off during a large formation exercise May 31, 2013, at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea. The joint exercise between U.S. and South Korean air forces was designed to hone the skills the airmen learned during Exercise Max Thunder 13-1. The F-16 is assigned to the 80th Fighter Squadron.

Right side air-to-air view of an F-15 Eagle aircraft from the 12th Tactical Fighter Squadron. The aircraft is being flown during exercise Kangaroo '81. Subject Operation/Series: KANGAROO '81 Base: Raaf Amberley State: Queensland Country: Australia (AUS)

DF-ST-86-12016. Base: Misawa Air Base Country: Japan (JPN)

010925-F-3378P-024. Base: Great Falls State: Montana (MT) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: Montana Air National Guard

An F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft lands at Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, during Operation SOUTHERN WATCH. The F-16 Aircraft is part of the coalition forces of the 363rd Air Expeditionary Wing, Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, that enforces the no-fly and no-drive zone in Southern Iraq to protect and defend against Iraqi aggression. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH Base: Prince Sultan Air Base Country: Saudi Arabia (SAU)

Chilean Air Force F-16 during exercise Cruzex 2018, Brazil.

F-15E and F-15C jet fighters of the United States Air Force.

A left side view of a Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 321 (VMFA-321) F/A-18A Hornet aircraft taking off. The Hornet is armed with four LAU-68 2.75-inch rocket pods and a CATM-88 HARM captive air training missile. 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)

030331-F-9528H-011. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Country: Unknown

040116-F-0629H-004. Base: Shaw Air Force Base State: South Carolina (SC) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

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.

Malaysia, Kuantan Air Base, United States Marine Corps F/A-18D Hornet taxing onto runway during international training exercise

221129-N-UF592-1068 PHILIPPINE SEA (Nov. 29, 2022) An F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to the Dambusters of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 195, launches on the flight deck of the U.S. Navys only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), during flight operations in the Philippine Sea, Nov. 29. The Dambusters earned their nickname on May 1, 1951 when the squadron's Skyraiders destroyed the heavily defended and strategically positioned Hwacheon Dam in North Korea with aerial torpedoes by making precise low level runs. Ronald Reagan, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5, provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the United States, and supports Alliances, partnerships and collective maritime interests in the Indo-Pacific region.

April 8, 2011 - A CF-188A Hornet of the Royal Canadian Air Force carrying laser guided bombs and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles while bound for Libya during Operation Unified Protector.

970313-F-1787R-056. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH Base: Doha Country: Qatar (QAT)

040508-F-0629H-005. Base: Shaw Air Force Base State: South Carolina (SC) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

Romanian Air Force F-16AM Fighting Falcon on the ramp at BorceaAir Base, Romania.

020703-F-4177H-004. Subject Operation/Series: NORTHERN WATCH Base: Incirlik Air Base, Adana Country: Turkey (TUR)

An F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft flown by US Air Force Captain Randy Efferson, 9th Air Force, F-16 Demonstration Team, is captured as it climbs away from the runway during a performance at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. CPT Efferson was demonstrating the jets capabilites during the Operation DESERT STORM 10th Anniversary Air Tattoo. Aircraft, similiar to the one pictured here, participated heavily in the Desert Storm campaign of 10 years ago. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Base: Shaw Air Force Base State: South Carolina (SC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A Hellenic Air Force F-16 taxiing at Trapani Air Base, Italy.

020205-F-1631A-026. Base: Zaragosa Air Base Country: Spain (ESP) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

A U.S. Navy E/A-18G Growler.

An F-16 Fighting Falcon from Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, taxis down the flightline at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, Feb. 16, 2023, prior to Accelerating the Legacy 2023. The three-day Black History Month event was established in 2021 in response to the call from Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., to Accelerate Change or Lose.

220717-N-WI365-1135 SOUTH CHINA SEA (July 17, 2022) An F/A-18E Super Hornet attached to the Royal Maces of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 flies over the flight deck of the Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). The Royal Maces conduct carrier-based air strike and strike force escort missions, as well as ship, battle group, and intelligence collection operations. Ronald Reagan, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5, provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the United States, and supports alliances, partnerships and collective maritime interests in the Indo-Pacific region.

A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18D Hornet.

An F-16 Flighting Falcon assigned to the Pacific Air Forces F-16 Demonstration Team maneuvers over Yokota Air Base, Japan, during a week-long Agile Combat Employment training exercise aimed at enhancing multi-capable Airmens skillset, May 11, 2022. Twelve 14th FS F-16s and crew members deployed to Yokota AB to participate in the exercise. Through ACE, the 35th Fighter Wing train alongside the 374th Airlift Wing to maintain a competitive edge over adversaries; and execute their mission - to protect U.S. interests in the Pacific, defend Japan, and deter adversaries through presence, readiness, and ability to project agile combat air power.

A US Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier Launches from Al Asad Air Base in Iraq's Al Anbar Province

US Air Force 64th Aggressor Squadron (formerly the 414th Combat Training Squadron) Lockheed F-16 Fighting Falcon

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft assigned to the 309th Fighter Squadron and F-35A Lightning IIs assigned to the 61st Fighter Squadron, fly in formation, Jan. 19, 2024, over Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. The F-35A is the U.S. Air Forces latest fifth-generation fighter, set to replace the U.S. Air Forces aging fleet of F-16 Fighting Falcons and A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, which have been the primary fighter aircraft for more than 20 years. Flying operations at Luke AFB contribute to advancing training, producing mission command focused U.S., allied and partner Airmen to meet warfighter needs.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central) commander, takes off in an F-16CM Fighting Falcon at an undisclosed location, September 7, 2022. Grynkewich flew alongside AFCENT Airmen and coalition partners in support of Operation Inherent Resolve as part of Operation Agile Spartan III. OAS III tested rapid troop and equipment movement to and from dispersed locations around the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots assigned to the Air National Guard's 115th Fighter Wing depart Truax Field in Madison, Wisconsin August 8, 2022 as part of the annual Northern Lightning exercise held at Volk Field Air National Guard Base. The exercise provided tactical-level training in a simulated high threat environment, incorporating 4th and 5th generation aircraft and nearly 1000 members of the U.S. Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and National Guard.

An F-16 Falcon fighter jet flies over Moron Air Base, Spain in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. (Substandard image). Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Moron Air Base State: Sevilla Country: Spain (ESP)

A U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler.

An air-to-air left side view of an F-16B Fighting Falcon aircraft firing an AGM-45 Shrike missile over the Edwards Air Force Base Test Range. State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

020402-F-9032T-009. Base: RAF Lakenheath Country: United Kingdom (GBR) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

A Royal Canadian Air Force CF-188A prepares for landing.

An F-16M Fighting Falcon, assigned to the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron, Eglin Air Force Base, takes off during Rattlesnake Rodeo, the Force Development Evaluation exercise, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Sept. 9, 2022. The focus for this years exercise is the integration of a new Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar along with multiple software and hardware upgrades within operationally relevant test scenarios.

ARABIAN GULF (Jan. 8, 2019) An F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41 prepares to catch an arresting gear wire while landing on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) in the Arabian Gulf, Jan. 8, 2019. The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points.

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to Shaw Air Force Base and Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, prepare an F-16 Fighting Falcon for an integrated combat turn during Exercise Iron Hand 22-09 at North Auxiliary Airfield, South Carolina, Aug. 23, 2022. During an ICT, Airmen refuel and re-arm a jet while it is still running to minimize time on the ground.

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 52nd Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, flies during an Agile Combat Employment movement over Poland, Feb. 29, 2024. ACE is a military concept aimed to deny adversaries the advantage of predictability, while concurrently enhancing U.S. Air Forces in Europes capacity to respond swiftly to emerging threats. Air Force

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle assigned to the 494th Fighter Squadron, takes off on a routine training mission from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, June 15, 2022. The Strike Eagle is a dual-role fighter designed to perform both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, enabling the Liberty Wing to provide air dominance within the European theater.

Turkish Air Force F-16 during Exercise Anatolian Eagle.

021017-F-4177H-023. Base: RAF Lakenheath State: East Anglia Country: England / Great Britain (ENG) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

F-15E Strike EagleUS Air Force

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle taxis on the flight line during a routine training mission at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, August 22, 2022. Pilots use continuous training to maintain and perfect air-to-air and air-to-ground combat skills.

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle taking off.

140915-N-MW819-099 ARABIAN GULF (Sept. 15, 2014) An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the Valions of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 15 launches from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). George H.W. Bush is supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

In flight view of a US Marine Corps (USMC) FA-18D Hornet, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 332 (All Weather) (VMFA(AW)-332), Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Beaufort, South Carolina (SC), based at Al Asad Air Base (AB), Iraq, during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Base: Al Asad State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ)

070501-M-7970L-028. Base: Al Asad Air Base State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ)

041116-F-8362B-081. Base: Misawa Air Base Country: Japan (JPN)

A F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 35th Fighter Wing takes off at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 21, 2022 during the Japanese-American Friendship Festival. Due to COVID-19 pandemic, this year festival marks the first time Yokota has held the annual event since 2019.

221031-N-UF592-2067 PHILIPPINE SEA (Oct. 31, 2022) An F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to the Dambusters of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 195, launches from the flight deck of the U.S. Navys only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), in the Philippine Sea, Oct. 31. The Dambusters earned their nickname on May 1, 1951 when the squadron's Skyraiders destroyed the heavily defended and strategically positioned Hwacheon Dam in North Korea with aerial torpedoes by making precise low level runs. Ronald Reagan, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5, provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the United States, and supports alliances, partnerships and collective maritime interests in the Indo-Pacific region.

A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet assigned to the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 323 out of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, prepares to land at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Aug. 5, 2022. The VMFA-323 Squadron integrated with the 510th Fighter Squadron and practiced dogfighting, where one F-16 would be paired with one F-18 and whoever gets "gunned" loses.

Turkish Air Force F-16 during Exercise Anatolian Eagle.

Romanian Air Force F-16B Block 20 MLU prepares for landing.

An F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 35th Fighter Squadron, takes off after hot pit refueling at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Jan. 17, 2024. The 35th FS executes air combat operations in support of U.S. and ROK interests in the Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility.

A Strike Fighter Squadron 106 (VFA-106) TA/F-18 Hornet aircraft is launched from the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN-69). Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

Luftwaffe F-4F Phantom II of Jagdgeschawader 71 Richthofen behind a tanker of the 100th ARW over northern Germany.

Tight tail view takeoff shot of a US Navy Grumman F-14 Tomcat of VF-101 Grim Reapers carrying two laser guided training round bombs in full afterburner

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle from the 414th Fighter Group flies in alongside a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 197th Air Refueling Squadron during a training mission above Arizona, Aug. 6, 2022. The 161st Air Refueling Wing out of the Goldwater Air National Guard Base, conducts refueling missions with regional partners regularly to help ensure mission readiness.

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the Ohio National Guards 180th Fighter Wing, takes off for a training mission, Aug. 16, 2022, in Swanton, Ohio. Flying the Lockheed Martin F-16CM Fighting Falcon, a multi-role fighter aircraft with Pratt and Whitney F100-PW-229 engines, the 180FW has access to military operating airspace and air-to-ground gunnery ranges suited for the capabilities of the F-16. The Alpena Airspace Complex, Michigan and Buckeye Airspace, Ohio are supersonic, chaff/flare capable with full radar ground control intercept, or GCI and Link-16 capable. (Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Beth Holliker)

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft with 35th Fighter Wing takes off during Cope North 24 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Feb. 19, 2024. Allies and partners train together during the multilateral exercise, Cope North 24, to improve shared tactics and multilateral defense capabilities. Marine Corps

An F-16 Fighting Falcon, assigned to the 179th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, conducts aerial operations with the Royal Bahrain air force over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, May 25, 2022. The U.S. and Bahrain work jointly to enhance interoperability in the interest of regional security.

A United Arab Emirates Air Force F-16E Block 60 landing at Konya Air Base.

011018-F-7910D-011. Base: Shaw Air Force Base State: South Carolina (SC) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: Air Combat Command

A United States Marine Corps F/A-18F takes off during Black Flag 22-1 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, May 10, 2022. A Black Flag 22-1 objective is to accelerate current Tactics Improvement Proposal (TIP) progression and weapon system test and integration requirements to field advanced capabilities faster.

A Spanish Air EF-18 prepares to take off in support of the operation. Subject Operation/Series: Provide Promise Base: Aviano Air Base State: Pordenone Country: Italy (ITA)

PHILLIPINE SEA (April 22, 2022) An F/A-18F Super Hornet, assigned to the "Black Aces" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41, launches from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Abraham Lincoln Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability through alliances and partnerships while serving as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

A U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler flies FCLP patterns.

An F/A-18 Hornet aircraft of the Royal Australian Air Force participates in exercise Coral Sea '85. Subject Operation/Series: CORAL SEA '85 Base: Raaf Williamtown Country: Australia (AUS)

020704-F-4177H-013. Subject Operation/Series: NORTHERN WATCH Base: Incirlik Air Base, Adana Country: Turkey (TUR)

A pilot assigned to the 80th Fighter Squadron (FS) gives the Crush em hand signal during a training event at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Sept. 14, 2022. The Crush em heritage hand signal is a symbol of pride for pilots attached to the 80th FS, also known as the Juvats.

U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle aircraft assigned to the 125th Fighter Wing, Florida Air National Guard, prepare for takeoff during night flying at the Jacksonville Air National Guard Base, Sept. 14, 2022.

010827-F-2171A-010. Base: Luke Air Force Base State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: AETC

Two US Marine AV-8B Harriers High Above Lake Qadisiya, North of the City of Haditha in the Al Anbar Province of Iraq

041011-F-5923D-001. Subject Operation/Series: EXERCISE CORONET WHITE Base: Des Moines State: Iowa (IA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

031014-F-2753C-108. Base: Mountain Home Air Force Base State: Idaho (ID) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II flies over Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, July 14, 2022. The A-10 is assigned to the A-10 Demonstration Team, which is a single-ship demonstration team that travels across the United States, as well as internationally, to highlight the combat capabilities of the A-10 and the U.S. Air Force.

DN-ST-90-07765. Base: Naval Air Station, Miramar State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DN-SC-87-05588. Base: USS Dwight D Eisenhower (CVN 69)

011113-F-1718K-002. Subject Operation/Series: COPE NORTH 02-1 Base: Kadena Air Base State: Okinawa Country: Japan (JPN) Scene Major Command Shown: PACOM JASDF

DF-ST-87-11659. Subject Operation/Series: WILLIAM TELL '86 Base: Tyndall Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Avionics technicians SGT. Jeffrey S. Sumerfield, left, STAFF SGT. Richard G. Cox, center, and AIRMAN 1ST Class Marshal P. Shepherd, 336th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, 4th Aircraft Generation Squadron, replace panels covering the electronics warfare system of a 4th Tactical Fighter Wing F-15E Eagle aircraft deployed to Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Shield. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Saudi Arabia (SAU)

DF-ST-87-12708. Subject Operation/Series: COPE THUNDER '86-3 Country: Philippines (PHL)

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 389th Fighter Squadron (FS) taxi an F-15E Strike Eagle at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, Sep. 29, 2022. The F-15E is operated by a pilot and weapons system officer in tandem.

A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18D Hornet aircraft with Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA(AW))-533 taxis at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan, May 9, 2022. The Marines with VMFA(AW)-533, based out of MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina, are on a rotational unit deployment program at MCAS Iwakuni conducting training and operations in support of regional stability and a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The first F/A-18C(N) Hornet aircraft to be delivered to Strike Fighter Squadron 147 (VFA-147) stands on the flight line following its arrival at the air station from McDonnell-Douglas corporate facilities in St. Louis. The squadron is making the transition from A-7E Corsair II aircraft to the more technologically advanced Hornet. Base: Naval Air Station, Lemoore State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Malaysia, Kuantan Air Base, United States Marine Corps F/A-18D parked on flight line

A U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon flying over Italy.

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