Fighter Jet Operations

Photos of various fighter jets, primarily F-16s and F-15s, in operation, taxiing, and preparing for missions in different airbases.

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 510th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron taxis at 86th Air Base, Romania, May 15, 2022. The 510th EFS is deployed from the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano Air Base, Italy.

U.S. Air Force Capt. Chris Nations, a 14th Fighter Squadron standardization and evaluations officer, and Staff Sgt. Bernard Mutz, a 35th Civil Engineer Squadron readiness and emergency manager, taxi to a hardened aircraft shelter in an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft following an incentive flight at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Oct. 22, 2010. Sergeant Mutz said the flight gave him a new understanding and respect for what pilots do. The 35th Fighter Wing gives incentive flights to outstanding Airmen each year to reward their exceptional work and dedication.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Josiah Sirius Gaffney, Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) F-16 Demonstration Team pilot, taxis an F-16 Fighting Falcon at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Sept. 8, 2022. The PACAF F-16 Demo Team is the premier U.S. aerial demonstration team in the Indo-Pacific region.

020402-F-9032T-001. Base: RAF Lakenheath Country: United Kingdom (GBR) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

011017-F-0308N-300. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Al Udeid Air Base, Doha Country: Qatar (QAT) Scene Major Command Shown: CENTCOM

An F-15C Eagle aircraft from the 53rd Fighter Squadron stops in the weapons arming area before taking off on a mission during Operation Deny Flight, the enforcement of the United Nations-sanctioned no-fly zone in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Subject Operation/Series: DENY FLIGHT Base: Aviano Air Base State: Pordenone Country: Italy (ITA)

F-15E Strike Eagles from the 366th Fighter Wing from Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho and F-15C models from the Air National Guard Air Force Reserve Command Test Center in Tucson Air National Guard Base gave us a rare site on our ramp spaces and skies Thursday. They stopped in for some gas ontheir way to Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida for a training exercise. The ramp was busy with fueling and many other mission flights including, KC-135 Stratotankers, B-52 Stratofortresses and of course our own E-3 AWACS snuck into the action as well. Great day if you were outside and happened to see the action. Great work supporting this effort TEAM TINKER!

U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Brandon McDowell, a fixed-wing aircraft mechanic with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 232 signals to an F/A-18D Hornet aircraft at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Jan. 19, 2024. Nicknamed the Red Devils, VMFA-232 traveled from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan to Guam as a part of their Aviation Training Relocation Program deployment to train multilaterally with allies and partners, and enhance the squadrons combat readiness.

040823-F-3968C-046. Base: Luke Air Force Base State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA)

011107-F-0308N-002. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Country: Southwest Asia Scene Major Command Shown: CENTCOM

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 510th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron taxis at 86th Air Base, Romania, May 15, 2022. The 510th EFS is deployed from the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano Air Base, Italy.

011017-F-0308N-187. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Al Udeid Air Base, Doha Country: Qatar (QAT) Scene Major Command Shown: CENTCOM

040121-F-4338B-001. Base: Shaw Air Force Base State: South Carolina (SC) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

1ST LT. Jeannie Flynn, first F-15E female pilot assigned to the 555th Fighter Squadron and STAFF SGT. John L. Maliska perform their respective tasks in preparation for engine start on the flight line. Base: Luke Air Force Base State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA)

The pilot of a 157th Tactical Fighter Squadron (157th TFS) F-16A Fighting Falcon aircraft of the South Carolina Air National Guard prepares for a mission with the help of two ground crewmen. The 157th TFS is one of several squadrons combined to form the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing (Provisional) during Operation Desert Storm.. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Saudi Arabia(SAU)

010621-F-2902B-010. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT RESCUE IX Base: Naval Air Station, Fallon State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

040422-F-7823A-007. Country: Iraq (IRQ)

011120-F-3805C-021. Base: Spangdahlem Air Base State: Rheinland-Pfalz Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)

Ninth Air Force (AFCENT) members initiates hot-pit refueling operations on a F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing out of Royal Air Force Base Lakenheath, United Kingdom July 15, 2022. Two U.S. Air Force F-15Es conducted the flight from Souda Bay, Greece to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in an effort to exercise cross-combatant command Agile Combat Employment operations. AFCENT members led the hot-pit refueling, an ACE technique which cuts refueling time by hours, allowing AFCENT and incoming partner aircrews to generate multiple consecutive sorties from the same aircraft as well as increase airpower staging options in theater.

980401-F-7910D-007. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH 1998 Base: Prince Sultan Air Base Country: Saudi Arabia (SAU) Scene Major Command Shown: CENTCOM

The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, known as the Thunderbirds, performed for Aviation Nation Nov. 6, 2022, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. The Thunderbirds have been based out of Nellis since 1955.

A right front view of a Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 321 (VMFA-321) F/A-18A Hornet aircraft armed with Mark 77 napalm bombs for a close air support training mission. 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)

A ground crew member performs a preflight check on a 334th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4G Phantom II Wild Weasel aircraft during exercise Red Flag '87. An AGM-45 Shrike missile is mounted on the left pylon. Subject Operation/Series: RED FLAG '87 Base: Nellis Air Force Base State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

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.

SENIOR AIRMAN Carlos Rivera, 80th Fighter Squadron crew chief, launches an 8th Fighter Wing "Wolf Pack" F-16. Exact Date Shot Unknown Published in AIRMAN Magazine August 1996. Base: Kunsan Air Base Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

ATLANTIC OCEAN (April 2, 2019) An F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to the Red Rippers” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11, prepares to launch from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). Harry S. Truman is currently underway conducting a sustainment exercise with Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 8 ships and squadrons to maintain qualifications and a deployment-ready status.

U.S. Air Force Col. Michael D. Stohler, commander, 122nd Fighter Wing, taxis an A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft during his final flight April 23, 2022, at the Indiana Air National Guard base, Fort Wayne, Indiana. Stohler was taking his fini-flight after 37 years of military service, including 32 years piloting the F-16 Fighting Falcon and A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft with over 4,100 hours.

040307-F-9105A-003. Country: Unknown

Staff Sgt. Daniel Wilkins, a fuels systems specialist assigned to the 149th Fighter Wing, Air National Guard, fuels and an F-16 Fighting Falcon during Coronet Cactus at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Mar. 29, 2023. Coronet Cactus is an annual training event that takes members of the 149th Fighter Wing, headquartered at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, to Phoenix to participate in an simulated deployment exercise.

A right side view of a Fighter Squadron 103 (VF-103) F-14 Tomcat aircraft preparing for takeoff. Base: Naval Air Station, Fallon State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Airmen with the 159th Fighter Wing, Louisiana Air National Guard, Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, Louisiana, perform maintenance on an F-15C Eagle during Weapons System Evaluation Program-East 23.01 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Oct. 12, 2022. WSEP-E 23.01 combined COMBAT ARCHER and COMBAT HAMMER exercises, allowing participating units to be evaluated on not only air-to-air weapons employment normally held at Tyndall, but air-to-ground weapons as well.

Lt. Col. Terrence Hedley, a fighter pilot with the 157th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, prepares to launch an F-16 Fighting Falcon for the first flying mission for the squadron on April 17, 2012. Lt. Col. Hedley is deployed from McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Swamp Fox F-16s, pilots, and support personnel began their Air Expeditionary Force deployment early April to take over flying missions for the air tasking order and provide close air support for troops on the ground in Afghanistan.

A member of the flight crew signals directions to the pilot of an F-15 Eagle aircraft assigned to the 27th Tactical Fighter Squadron during Exercise Quick Thrust '83-1. Subject Operation/Series: QUICK THRUST '83 Base: Charleston Air Force Base State: South Carolina (SC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Air Force Capt. Luke Rockwell, an A-10 Warthog fighter pilot with the 357th Fighter Squadron, 355th Fighter Wing, poses for a photo in front of an A-10 Warthog at Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif. on July 18, 2022. Pilots from the 357th Fighter Squadron landed at Camp Wilson to qualify in landing on unimproved surfaces and provided Marines from Marine Wing Support Squadron 473 with an aircraft familiarization brief.

Members of the 555th Fighter Generation Squadron from the 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy, tug an F-16C Fighting Falcon into a hangar for routine maintenance at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, United Kingdom, Aug. 30, 2022. The 31st FW is in the UK to participate in Cobra Warrior 2022, along with other NATO Allied and Partner air forces. These missions enhance the readiness necessary to respond to any potential challenge in the region.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jordan Kahn, 13th Fighter Squadron commander, buckles his shoulder harness before taking off in an F-16 Fighting Falcon to reach its 10,000 flight hour milestone at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Sept. 27, 2022. This achievement not only represents pilots flying continuous hours of sorties but also displays the diligence and hard work crew chiefs have dedicated to keeping aircraft at Misawa Air Base operational over multiple years.

Three U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons prepare for takeoff at Buckley Space Force Base, Colo., Sep. 22, 2022 during a readiness exercise, Operation Thundercat. This four-day exercise provides a simulated combat environment that allows Airmen to practice real-world warfighting capabilities.

Three U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons prepare for takeoff at Buckley Space Force Base, Colo., Sep. 22, 2022 during a readiness exercise, Operation Thundercat. This four-day exercise provides a simulated combat environment that allows Airmen to practice real-world warfighting capabilities.

DF-ST-88-08699. Subject Operation/Series: NOMAD THRUST Base: Eglin Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A crew chief from the 555th Fighter Squadron at Aviano Air Base, Italy, takes a breather before the launch of anF-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft at Sidi Slimane Air Base, Morocco. The 555th is flying 90 sorties in Exercise AFRICAN EAGLE, a bi-annual exercise designed to practice dissimilar air-to-air training with the Royal Moroccan Air Force. Subject Operation/Series: AFRICAN EAGLE Base: Sidi Slimane Air Base Country: Morocco (MAR)

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dylan Chavez, a fixed wing aircraft mechanic with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 242, inspects the fuel nozzle of an F-35B Lightning II aircraft before routine flight operations during RED FLAG-Alaska 22-1 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, May 12, 2022. The Indo-Pacific is a top priority for the United States, and exercises like Red Flag-Alaska are committed to ensuring U.S. forces are capable and ready to face the evolving challenges in the region.

Two F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 36th Fighter Squadron wait to take-off on the alternate landing strip (ALS) prior to flying a training sortie at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Sept. 14, 2022. This is the first time the ALS has been activated since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

U.S. Airmen with 67th Fighter Squadron, Aircraft Maintenance Unit perform start-up procedures during exercise Katana Strike at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, Oct. 26, 2022. Katana Strike is led by III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group and is designed to demonstrate proficiency in coalition joint-force planning, coordination, and execution of dynamic targeting in a maritime environment that utilizes ground forces to initiate the targeting cycle. Katana Strike showcases 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, which serves as the central hub for conducting long-range communications between joint ground, naval and aviation units over multiple waveforms. III MIG functions as the vanguard of III MEF, operating in the Indo-Pacific regions information environment, and supports Marine Air Ground Task Force operations with communications, intelligence, and supporting arms liaison capabilities.

Very tight nose on takeoff shot of a US Navy Grumman F-14 Tomcat of VF-101 Grim Reapers carrying two laser guided training round bombs

Ground crew members prepare a United States Air Force F-15C Eagle fighter aircraft for departure from Moron Air Base, Spain in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Moron Air Base State: Sevilla Country: Spain (ESP) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

221202-N-MR862-246 TINKER AFB, Okla. (02 Dec. 2022). Aviation Machinists Mate 3rd Petty Officer Jessy Smith, assigned to Fleet Air Reconnaissance (VQ) 3 prepares to launch a F/A-18E/F Super Hornet out of Tinker AFB Dec 02, 2022. Strategic Communications Wing (SCW) 1 is a tenant command at Tinker Air Force Base, ensuring National Security through the deterrence of adversarial nuclear ambitions.

Louisiana Air National Guard Col. David Anderson, 159th Fighter Wing commander, steps to a California Air National Guard F-15C during Cope North 24 at Andersen Air Base, Guam, Feb. 20, 2024. The California and Louisiana units deployed to Kadena Air Base, Japan, to ensure continuous fighter presence through the phased return of Kadenas fleet of F-15C/D Eagles to the U.S. To support this presence, the teams participated in Cope North 24 to build upon multilateral aerial tactics that strengthen the capabilities of Allied and partnered mission throughout the Indo-Pacific. Air Force Master Sgt. Natasha Stannard/Released)

010205-F-1631A-005. Base: Aviano Air Base State: Pordenone Country: Italy (ITA) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

A-10C Warthog” pilots from the 163rd Fighter Squadron, and Aircraft Maintenance Crew Chiefs from the 122nd Fighter Wing, Fort Wayne, Ind., prepare for takeoff during Operation Guardian Blitz, Jan 23, 2018, at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. Operation Guardian Blitz will provide training opportunities to practice our core skills of Close Air Support, Forward Air Control and Combat Search and Rescue. The Blacksnakes of the 122nd FIghter Wing and our 163rd Fighter Squadron constantly train to ensure our members are always prepared to defend the nation.

An F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 169th Fighter Wing, South Carolina Air National Guard arrives at the Air Dominance Center in Savannah, Georgia during exercise Sentry Savannah on May 2, 2022. Sentry Savannah is the Air National Guards largest air-to-air, joint aerial combat exercise for fourth- and fifth-generation fighters, which tests the capabilities of our warfighters in a simulated environment and trains the next generation of fighter pilots for tomorrows fight.

060227-N-9362D-002. Base: USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71)

030317-F-5712B-009. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Country: Unknown

A Super Etendard aircraft of the Argentine Navy briefly touches down on the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN-72). The plane is taking part in touch-and-go landings aboard the LINCOLN during the vessel's circumnavigation of South America. Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

011107-F-3356N-004. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Country: Unknown

Staff Sgt. Greg Martin, crew chief assigned to the 148th Fighter Wing, Duluth Air National Guard Base, Minnesota, prepares to launch an F-16 Fighting Falcon that is participating in a Red Flag-Nellis 22-1 mission Jan. 27, 2022 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. This iteration of Red Flag is focused on confidence under fire, integrated leadership and the warfighter culture. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Rufus)

Hellenic Air Force F-16D taxiing at Araxos Air Base, Greece.

Night view as a U.S. Navy F-14 Tomcat aircraft parked on the ramp with other F-14s after a competition mission during Reconnaissance Air Meet 88, a multi-national competition of military aerial reconnaissance teams at Bergstrom Air Force Base. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Subject Operation/Series: RECONNAISSANCE AIR MEET '88 State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

030214-F-1798W-001. Subject Operation/Series: COPE TIGER 2003 Base: Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base Country: Thailand (THA)

A right side view of an F-15 Eagle aircraft, silhouetted against sunrise, prior to taxiing out. The aircraft is assigned to the 550th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron, 405th Tactical Training Wing, 12th Air Force, which is involved in Tactical Training Luke. Base: Luke Air Force Base State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Josh Plocinski, 13th Fighter Squadron fighter pilot, taxis to the runway in an F-16 Fighting Falcon fitted with a new active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar upgrade at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Dec. 5, 2022. The 35th Fighter Wing is the second unit in the Air Force to incorporate upgraded AESA technology into the F-16. The new upgrade increases the wings operational capabilities and directly supports Indo-Pacific Commands mission to maintain regional stability and support a free and open Indo-Pacific region

Military Jets Fixed Wing Boeing Aviat Airplanes FA-18 Hornet grey canopy ladder pilots

220610-N-BR419-2094 PHILIPPINE SEA (June 10, 2022) An F/A-18E Super Hornet attached to the Royal Maces of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 launches from the flight deck of the U.S. Navys only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). The Royal Maces conduct carrier-based air strike and strike force escort missions, and 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.

Airmen from the 124th Fighter Wing, Boise, Idaho arrive at the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center in Alpena, MI, June 4, 2022 to participate in Agile Rage 22. Agile Rage 22 is a National Guard Bureau-led exercise, held June 6-19, 2022 at Alpena CRTC, part of the National All-Domain Warfighting Center, and provides realistic training opportunities, mimicking current and future combat environments dictated by the National Defense Strategy.

U.S. Air Force Airmen perform a pre-flight inspection on an F-15E Strike Eagle at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, Sep. 29, 2022. The F-15E Strike Eagle is capable of performing air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.

An F-16CM Fighting Falcon, pilot, assigned to the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron, Eglin Air Force Base, poses during Rattlesnake Rodeo, the Force Development Evaluation exercise, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Sept. 9, 2022. Rattlesnake Rodeo takes advantage of local Nellis aircraft such as F-22s, F-16s, F-15Es, F-35s, A-10s and range assets in a large force exercise manner.

An A-10 Thunderbolt II, from the 124th Fighter Wing, Boise, Idaho, taxies at Young Landing Zone on Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, June 13, 2022. The aircraft are exercising and honing their skills in support of agile combat employment and preparing for a near peer conflict.

Airmen assigned to the 4th Fighter Wing transport an F-15C Eagle at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, April 14, 2022. The F-15C was flown in Operation Desert Storm, Noble Eagle, Northern Watch and Southern Watch, but is now being used as a training aircraft for weapons load training.

U.S. Airmen assigned to the 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron and 379th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron unload munition from a Block 50 F-16CM Fighting Falcon assigned to the 179th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, at Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, May 5, 2022. The 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Airmen are deployed out of Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, but small groups of munition specialists travel monthly to the 378th Air Expeditionary Wing, KSA, to train and stay qualified on fighter jet armament. The training is intended to create multi-capable Airmen able to safely load munitions onto multiple airframes anywhere in AFCENTs area of responsibility, instead of being bomber or fighter specific.

A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18C Hornet aircraft with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 312 taxis the flight line after landing at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam Jan. 26, 2023. VMFA-312 traveled from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam to conduct joint-level training as a part of the Aviation Training Relocation Program and enhance the squadrons readiness and combat capabilities.

A U.S. Air Force crew chief with the 192nd Fighter Wing, Virginia Air National Guard, communicates with a F-22 Raptor pilot on the flightline at the Air Dominance Center, a Combat Readiness Training Center, April 29, 2022, in Savannah, Georgia. Sentry Savannah is a joint total force integrated exercise that showcases the nation's combat aircraft readiness, tests the capabilities of our warfighters in a near-peer environment and trains our next generation of fighter pilots for tomorrows fight.

A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor assigned to the 525th Fighter Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, banks over Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, May 18, 2022, during Weapons System Evaluation Program East-22.08. WSEP is a formal, two-week evaluation exercise designed to test a squadrons capabilities to conduct live-fire weapons systems during air-to-air combat training missions.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Nathaniel Evans, an F-16 Fighting Falcon tactical aircraft maintenance specialist assigned to the Wisconsin Air National Guard's 115th Fighter Wing, Madison, Wisconsin prepares an aircraft for takeoff at Naval Air Station Key West May 12, 2022. Evans and approximately 150 other Airmen from the 115th FW and its co-located active duty counterpart, the 378th Fighter Squadron, were in NAS Key West participating in dissimilar air combat training with the U.S. Navy, Arizona Air National Guard and Royal Netherlands Air Force.

A U.S. Air Force F-15E returns to Florennes Air Base, Belgium.

030315-F-9448S-054. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Country: Unknown

U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant Adam Wheaton, 492nd Air Maintenance Unit production superintendent, helps to launch F-15E Strike Eagles at Łask Air Base, Poland, to support NATO Air Shielding efforts, Aug. 9, 2022. Air Shielding is a purely defensive mission designed to shield and protect allied territory and populations, and a key component of NATO's deterrence and defense posture.

An F-16 Fighting Falcon from the Air Force Reserve Command Test Center arrives in support of a joint force exercise on Sept. 8, 2022, at Dugway Proving Ground, Utah. This joint force exercise incorporates more than seven military entities across three branches creating innovative operational concepts to allow quick response to an ever changing wartime horizon.

060701-N-3729H-002. Base: USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74)

980305-F-7910D-013. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH 1998 Base: Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base State: Al Ahmadi Country: Kuwait (KWT) Scene Major Command Shown: ANG

030315-F8993B-004. Base: Dyess Air Force Base State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

220928-N-WU964-1021 WATERS EAST OF THE KOREAN PENINSULA (Sept. 28, 2022) An F/A-18E Super Hornet attached, to the Dambusters of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 195, stands by for launch on the flight deck of the U.S. Navys only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), in waters east of the Korean peninsula, Sept. 28. 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. The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is participating with the Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy in Maritime Counter Special Operations Exercise (MCSOFEX) to strengthen interoperability and training. The U.S. routinely conducts CSG operations in the waters around the ROK to exercise maritime maneuvers, strengthen the U.S.-ROK alliance, and improve regional security.

011101-F-0017M-003. Subject Operation/Series: NOBLE EAGLE Base: Byrd Field State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the South Carolina Air National Guards 169th Fighter Wing returns from a flight during an exercise in Barranquilla, Colombia, Sept. 02, 2022. Relampago VII is a combined Colombian and U.S. exercise taking place in the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) theater that focuses on techniques, tactics and procedures to strengthen the longstanding partnership between our armed forces.

030206-F-0730D-001. Base: Syracuse State: New York (NY) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Ernest Rogers, a crew chief with the South Carolina Air National Guards 169th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, communicates with Colombian Air Force pilot Capt. David Cordoba as he prepares him for a familiarization flight in an F-16D Fighting Falcon with U.S. Air Force Col. Quaid Quadri, Commander of South Carolina Air National Guards 169th Fighter Wing during Relampago VII, an exercise in Barranquilla, Colombia, Sept. 7, 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.

Capt. Tim Six, a 421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron pilot, takes off for a combat sortie in an F-16 Fighting Falcon at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, March 14, 2016. The 421st EFS, based out of Bagram Airfield, is the only dedicated fighter squadron in the country and continuously supports Operation Freedoms Sentinel and NATOs Resolute Support missions.

A U.S. Air Force F-15C assigned to the 18th Wing, Japan, sits on the flightline during Cope North 24 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, on Feb. 15, 2024. Large-scale, multinational exercises in the Indo-Pacific Region act as a force multiplier in the region, building a more integrated and lethal force together. Air Force

Airman 1st Class Preston Hartje, 25th Fighter Generation Squadron crew chief, performs post-flight maintenance on an A-10C Thunderbolt II during a training sortie at Gwangju Air Base, Republic of Korea, Aug. 18, 2022. During the event, Airmen trained and performed different jobs to become multi-capable Airmen as part of the U.S Air Forces Agile Combat Employment concept.

ARABIAN GULF (Aug. 3, 2016) Airman Justin Saulbury, of Gainesville, Va., fuels an F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to the Fighting Swordsmen of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 32 on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike). Ike and its Carrier Strike Group are deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jade Moore, 492nd Air Maintenance Unit avionics, prepares an F-15E Strike Eagle for take-off at Łask Air Base, Poland, to support NATO Air Shielding efforts, Aug. 9, 2022. Air Shielding is a purely defensive mission designed to shield and protect allied territory and populations, and a key component of NATO's deterrence and defense posture.

060828-F-9040S-003. Base: Mcentire Ang Station State: South Carolina (SC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 312 conduct pre-flight inspections on an F/A -18D Hornet aircraft during Ryukyu Vice 23.1 at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 6, 2022. Ryukyu Vice is a joint, fixed-wing aviation command and control exercise that provides critical training to 1st Marine Aircraft Wing tactical air control personnel through offensive, defensive and counter-air live-flight scenarios.

A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet aircraft with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 312 taxis the runway after returning to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Feb. 7, 2023. Brigadier Gen. George Rowell IV, the assistant wing commander of 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, visited VMFA-312 in Guam to participate in flight operations and show support during Exercise Cope North 2023.

040121-F-0629H-012. Base: Shaw Air Force Base State: South Carolina (SC) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

Senior Airman Christopher McConnell, a 621st Contingency Response Wing weather specialist, launches an F-16 during Exercise Bamboo Eagle, Feb. 1, 2024, Naval Air Station Point Mugu, California. Contingency response Airmen regularly train in tasks outside their primary duties, employing the multi-capable airman concept. Air Force

An A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft assigned to the 104th Fighter Squadron, Maryland Air National Guard, arrives at Ohrid St. Paul The Apostle Airport in Ohrid, North Macedonia, May 7, 2022, ready to conduct Agile Combat Employment training in support of the Swift Response exercise. Exercise Swift Response 22 is an annual multinational training exercise, which takes place in Eastern Europe, the Arctic High North, Baltics, and Balkans from May 2-20, 2022. The purpose of the exercise is to present combat credible Army forces in Europe and Africa, and enhance readiness by building airborne interoperability with Allies and Partners and the integration of joint service partnership.

A right side view of an F-14A Tomcat aircraft of the Navy Fighter Weapons School painted in Soviet markings for training purposes. Base: Naval Air Station, Miramar State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A F-15 Strike Eagle assigned to the 390th Fighter Squadron, Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, conducts a after burner run during exercise Maple Flag 42 at 4 Wing Cold Lake, Canada, June 9, 2009. Maple Flag is a Canadian-sponsored and Air Combat Command supported exercise, that provides aircrews simulated air and ground combat training to coalition forces in a NATO environment.

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, September 1, 2022. Pilots use continuous training to maintain and perfect air-to-air and air-to-ground combat skills.

Marines attached to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 112, Marine Aircraft Group 41, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, conduct flight operations at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas, Sept. 15, 2022. VMFA-112 is participating in a joint long-range strike exercise with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 234, VMFA-225, Marine Fighter Training Squadron (VMFT) 401 and U.S. Air Force 513th Operations Support Squadron. This large force exercise demonstrates MAG-41's ability to project long-range strike capability and integrate with the Marine Corps' active component 5th generation aircraft in contested environments.

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