Modern Air Force Operations

Photographs feature advanced military jets, showcasing aircraft readiness and maintenance operations within air force bases, highlighting modern military aviation capabilities.

Italian Air Force Tornado IDS aircraft.

An ordnanceman inspects an AIM-9 Sidewinder missile on the pylon of an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft of the Dutch air force prior to a mission in support of Operation Deny Flight, the enforcement of the United Nations-sanctioned no-fly zone over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Subject Operation/Series: DENY FLIGHT Base: Villafranca Air Base Country: Italy (ITA)

A U.S. Navy E/A-18G Growler taxies out for takeoff at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.

Italian Air Force Tornado IDS aircraft.

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

010811-F-7910D-019. Base: Buckley Air Force Base State: Colorado (CO) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: Air Combat Command

An F-16N Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft from the U.S. Navy "Top Gun" Fighter Weapons School, San Diego, makes a visit to the U.S. Air Force Fighter Weapons School. Base: Nellis Air Force Base State: Nevada(NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Front View of F-4. Front View of F-4. "Phu Cat AB, VietnamFront view of a U.S. Air Force F-4 of the 27th Tactical Fighter Wing being armed by ground crewman of the 37th Field Maintenance Squadron." Photographer: Sgt. Peter Seel

114th Aircraft Maintenance crew chiefs goes through recovery procudures during the F-16 arrival at Ellsworth AFB, S.D. for exercise Combat Raider. Combat Raider is a large-scale exercise used to assess Air Force pilots' integrated combat mission readiness in a simulated wartime scenario.

030403-M-5607A-010. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Country: Iraq (IRQ)

A crew chief from the 391st Aircraft Maintenance Unit finishes checking an F-15E Strike Eagle from the 391st Fighter Squadron before it performs at the Seafair Hydroplane Races and Air Show in Seattle July 30 through Aug. 2, 2010. The 391st FS returned to perform during the air show for the first time in three years. The air show, hydro racing and beautiful setting along Lake Washington have made the event a perennial summer favorite since the 1950s.

DF-ST-87-07588. Subject Operation/Series: GALLANT EAGLE '86 Base: Cannon Air Force Base State: New Mexico (NM) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-ST-85-04987. Subject Operation/Series: CORNET GAUNTLET '83 Base: Rygge Air Station Country: Norway (NOR)

070321-M-2166H-085. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Al Asad Air Base State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: VMAQ-1

Ukrainian Air Force Su-24 during Exercise Clear Sky in Ukraine.

Airmen from the 174 th Attack Wing participated in ExerciseAdirondack Warrior Oct. 16-21 at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base, Syracuse, Fort Drum,Ogdensburg International Airport (OIA) and Griffiss International Airport.

Lockheed F-104G Starfighter from the 322 Squadron, probably on the Leeuwarden airbase with an Alkan Soulé target sleeve under the wing.

Polish F-16C Block 52 with conformal fuel tanks and sniper targeting pod taxiing at Albacete Airfield, Spain.

French Air Force personnel conduct pre-flight checks on French Dassault Rafales during Point Blank 22-2 at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, on April 28, 2022. This iteration of Point Blank included participation from the French Air Force, Royal Air Force and Royal Netherlands Air Force.

An F/A-18D Hornet assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 115 is staged at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, June 7, 2022. VMFA-115 supports the Marine Air-Ground Task Force commander by providing supporting arms coordination, conducting multi-sensor imagery reconnaissance, and destroying surface targets and enemy aircraft, day or night, under all weather conditions, during expeditionary, joint, or combined operations. VMFA-115 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Servante R. Coba)

980421-F-7910D-002. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH 1998 Base: Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base State: Al Ahmadi Country: Kuwait (KWT) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class (AO2) Robert McGill, left, AO2 John Zacko, and Aviation Ordnanceman AIRMAN (AOAN) Lewis Ryan arm a TA-4J Skyhawk aircraft prior to a training flight. The aircraft is assigned to Fleet Composite Squadron 10 (VC-10). Base: Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay Country: Cuba (CUB)

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

AN F-15 Eagle aircraft is refueled from a fuel bladder pit as a ground crewman talks to a pilot, aboard, on radio. The aircraft, from the 18th Tactical Fighter Wing, is involved in exercise Team Spirit '81. Subject Operation/Series: TEAM SPIRIT '81 Base: Kwang Ju Air Base Country: Korea

Italian Air Force AMX ACOL landing at Andravida Air Base, Greece.

A United Arab Emirates Air Force F-16 Block 52+ taxiing.

An F-15D Baz of the Israeli Air Force taxiing at Decimomannu Air Base, Sardinia, Italy, during Exercise Vega 2010.

Ukrainian Air Force Su-27 during Exercise Clear Sky in Ukraine.

DF-ST-86-12662. State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Maintenance personnel clean the canopy of an Attack Squadron 35 (VA-35) KA-6D Intruder aircraft on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS SARATOGA (CV-60) during Operation Desert Storm. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Red Sea

A-10 Thunderbolt II assigned to the 357th Fighter Squadron are positioned at live ordnance loading areas at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Sept. 13, 2022. Once the flying schedule calls for live munitions on flying sorties, aircraft are positioned at LOLA and weapons load crews are dispatched to perform the live loading operations.

F-16 Fighting Falcons prepare to launch a mission

An Italian Air Force F-16 Air Defense Fighter in special colors

Turkish Air Force F-16C at Konya, Turkey.

DN-ST-89-05717. Base: Unknown

F-15E Eagle aircraft of the 336th Tactical Fighter Squadron are parked on the flight line during Operation Desert Shield. An FGA-9 Hunter aircraft is parked on the left. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Saudi Arabia (SAU)

A Turkish Air Force F-16C with Solo Turk Display.

Pilots sitting in the cockpit of a Hellenic Air Force F-4E Phantom.

U.S. Air Force crew chiefs from the South Carolina Air National Guards 169th Maintenance Group prep F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 157th Fighter Squadron for a daily training sortie at Columbia Metropolitan Airport, Columbia, South Carolina, July 27, 2022. The SCANG is currently flying out of Columbia Metropolitan Airport during a runway construction project underway at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C.

A Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 133 (VAQ-133) EA-6B Prowler aircraft sits on display at the 1991 Paris Air Show. Base: Paris Country: France(FRA)

A 48th Tactical Fighter Wing F-111F aircraft dubbed the "Miss Liberty" taxis from its hangar as it prepares for deployment to Saudi Arabia to take part in Operation Desert Shield. The aircraft is armed with a Paveway laser-guided bomb on the outside pylon and a GBU-15 modular glide bomb on the inside pylon. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Base: Raf Mildenhall Country: Great Britain / England (GBR)

An F/A-18C Hornet aircraft of Strike Fighter Squadron 146 (VFA-146) stands on the flight line. Base: Naval Air Station, Lemoore State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A member of the Fleet Training Group instructs repair party personnel during a refresher training session aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN-69). Base: Luke Air Force Base State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA)

020211-F-4177H-004. Base: RAF Lakenheath State: East Anglia Country: England / Great Britain (ENG) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

030429-M-9248U-004. Base: Yuma State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA)

000516-F-5697C-008. Subject Operation/Series: COBRA GOLD 2000 Base: Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base Country: Thailand (THA)

020920-F-4649H-040. Subject Operation/Series: NORTHERN WATCH Base: Incirlik Air Base, Adana Country: Turkey (TUR) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

Lt. Col. Thomas Wolfe, the 455th Expeditionary Operations Group deputy commander, performs preflight checks on an F-16 Fighting Falcon at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Feb. 1, 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 the NATO Resolute Support missions.

DF-ST-90-04070. Subject Operation/Series: COMMANDO WEST 89-1 Base: Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base Country: Thailand (THA)

An F-4E Phantom II aircraft, foreground, and other Phantom aircraft of the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing sit in their dispersal areas near a taxiway. Base: Clark Air Base State: Luzon Country: Philippines (PHL)

020515-F-6565E-007. Subject Operation/Series: NOBLE EAGLE Base: Duluth International Airport State: Minnesota (MN) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Close-up of an Italian Air Force Panavia Tornado ECR taking off from Decimomannu Air Base, Sardinia, Italy, during Exercise Vega 2010.

971016-F-0024F-012. Base: RAF Mildenhall Country: Great Britain / England (GBR)

An AV-8B Harrier from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 214 (VMFA-214), 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, performs a vertical takeoff at Red Beach. Subject Operation/Series: KERNEL BLITZ '97 Base: Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Arabian Sea, September 22, 2008 - An AV-8B Harrier jet lands aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu. Peleliu is deployed supporting maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

BGEN Roger Scheer and CPT Don Sharp, his copilot, prepare to climb aboard an F-4 Phantom II aircraft prior to making a flight. Base: Carswell Air Force Base State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A U.S. Air Force F-16C returns to Florennes Air Base, Belgium.

A General Dynamics F-16A with Aim-Sidewinder armament.

A 2nd Bombardment Wing B-52G Stratofortress aircraft, foreground, taxis past a pair of KC-10A Extender aircraft as it heads for the runway during the Strategic Air Command (SAC) competition Proud Shield '88. Base: Barksdale Air Force Base State: Louisiana (LA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

010811-F-7910D-020. Base: Buckley Air Force Base State: Colorado (CO) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: Air National Guard

Croatian Armed Forces MiG-21bis aircraft.

Brazilian Air Force F-5EM during exercise Cruzex 2018, Brazil.

An aggressor F-16 Fighting Falcon of the U.S. Air Force at Nellis Air Force Base.

A Fighter Squadron 142 (VF-142) F-14A Tomcat aircraft is lowered by crane as it is loaded aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN-73) in preparation for the vessel's commissioning ceremony on July 4th. Base: Naval Air Station, Norfolk State: Virginia(VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Italian Air Force Tornado during Exercise Iniohos 2018, Greece.

Arizona National Guard prepare their A-7D Corsair II aircraft for flight. The aircraft, each in a different camouflage paint scheme, will be tested against forest and desert backgrounds for visibility. Base: Tucson Airport State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA)

011106-F-9232S-009. Subject Operation/Series: NOBLE EAGLE Base: Selfridge Air Natl Guard Base State: Michigan (MI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

970228-F-5306T-002. Subject Operation/Series: DELIBERATE GUARD Base: Aviano Air Base State: Pordenone Country: Italy (ITA) Scene Major Command Shown: PACAF

Workers use a weapons loader to position a BQM-74E target drone under a starboard wing pylon of an Attack Squadron 128 (VA-128) A-6E Intruder Aircraft during operational test and evaluation exercises conducted by the Missile Targets Division of the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division. A drone is already positioned under the port wing. Base: Naval Air Station, Point Mugu State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

020422-F-4177H-001. Base: RAF Lakenheath Country: United Kingdom (GBR) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

An F-15 Eagle attached to the 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing on the flight line prior to takeoff during exercise BOLD EAGLE '82. Subject Operation/Series: BOLD EAGLE '82 Base: Eglin Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-ST-87-11680. Subject Operation/Series: WILLIAM TELL '86 Base: Tyndall Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A pair of Serbian Air Force NJ-22 Orao at Batajnica Air Base, Serbia.

An F-1 Mirage from the Airborne Tactical Advantage Company taxis during Weapons System Evaluation Program East-22.12 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Sept. 12, 2022. 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.

Israeli Air Force F-16 at Nevatim Air Base, Israel.

A right front view of F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft from the 429th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, taxiing in on the runway apron during exercise Coronet Wrangler. Subject Operation/Series: CORONET WRANGLER Base: Raf Bentwaters Country: England / Great Britain (ENG)

British Naval AIRMAN Jennifer Ennis (Left) positions a Royal Air Force GR-7 Harrier on the flight deck of Invincible Class Aircraft Carrier, HMS ILLUSTRIOUS (RO 6). The British vessel is operating in the Persian Gulf in support of the Southwest Asia build-up. Base: Hms Illustrious (RO 6)

U.S. Air Force Senior Airmen Anwar Allen, Tory Decuir and Collin McCoy, A-10C Thunderbolt II Demonstration team crew chiefs, tow an A-10 at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, March 26, 2023. The A-10 Demo Team travels to shows around the country, as well as internationally, to highlight the combat capabilities of the A-10.

A left front view of an F-14A Tomcat aircraft of Reserve Fighter Squadron 101 (VF-101) being positioned on the number one catapult of the aircraft carrier USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67) in preparation for launch as the ship conducts carrier qualifications off the Virginia Capes. Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

Persian Gulf, January 19, 2006 - Squadron personnel prepare an EA-6B Prowler for flight operations aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71).

Italian Air Force Tornado IDS armed with a Storm Shadow live cruise missile.

DN-SC-86-07373. Base: USS Saratoga (CV 60) Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

030412-F-3715H-023. Base: Incirlik Air Base, Adana Country: Turkey (TUR)

DF-ST-87-08324. Base: Bitburg Air Base Country: West Germany (FRG)

Night view as a U.S. Navy F-14 Tomcat aircraft is marshaled into position by the crew chief 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)

U.S. Navy F/A-18C Hornet at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia.

A rear view of the B-1 bomber aircraft as preflight maintenance is performed at the Farnborough Air Show. Base: Farnborough Country: England / Great Britain (ENG)

020520-F-6911G-102. Subject Operation/Series: NORTHERN WATCH Base: Incirlik Air Base, Adana Country: Turkey (TUR)

An air-to-air right side view of an F-4G Wild Weasel Phantom II aircraft from the 37th Tactical Fighter Wing. The aircraft is armed with two AGM-88 High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM) missiles, outboard stations, and two AGM-65A Shrike missiles, inbo. Base: George Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

JSC2008-E-035367 (17 April 2008) --- Astronauts Scott D. Altman (front seat) and Michael J. Massimino, STS-125 commander and mission specialist, respectively, prepare for a flight in a NASA T-38 trainer jet at Ellington Field near NASA's Johnson Space Center.

An EAV-8B+ of the Spanish Navy aboard the aircraft carrier Principe de Asturias (R11).

A Belgian Air Force F-16B at Florennes Air Base, Belgium.

A Japan Air Self Defense Force F-15J Eagle taxis behind Mitsubishi F-2As upon arrival at Northwest Field, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Feb. 8, 2024 during Cope North 24. Cope North enables the joint and combined forces to improve the resilience and survivability of coalition airpower through integrated agile combat employment training. Air Force

Fighter Squadron 126 (VF-126) A-4 Skyhawk aircraft line the flight line in presentation for a mock combat training mission. The aircraft are painted in "threat colors" to represent aggressor forces. Base: Naval Air Station, Miramar State: California(CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-ST-87-10562. Subject Operation/Series: COPE NORTH Base: Nyutabaru Air Base State: Kyashu Country: Japan (JPN)

980929-F-0024F-006. Base: RAF Mildenhall Country: Great Britain / England (GBR) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

030905-F-8155K-014. Base: Ellsworth Air Force Base State: South Dakota (SD) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

January 18, 2010 - Dassault Rafale B of the French Air Force off the Normandy coast. These Rafales carry AASM Hammer bombs.

A flight deck crew member signals to the pilot of an Italian TAV-8B Harrier II aircraft aboard the Italian navy's aircraft carrier GUISEPPE GARIBALDI (C-551) as the aircraft takes part in vertical short takeoff and landing operations. The Italian vessel is taking part in the joint exercise Dragon Hammer '92. Subject Operation/Series: DRAGON HAMMER '92 Country: Mediterranean Sea(MED)

DF-ST-90-01755. Subject Operation/Series: COPE NORTH 89-1 Base: Misawa Air Base Country: Japan (JPN)

DF-ST-87-11699. Subject Operation/Series: WILLIAM TELL '86 Base: Tyndall Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

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