Planes over water — AIR FORCE PHOTOS

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Passing the torch

An EC-130H Compass Call and an EA-37B Compass Call assigned to the 55th Electronic Combat Group fly in formation over southern Arizona, Sept. 3, 2026. The EA-37B is replacing the EC-130H, modernizing the Air Force’s airborne electromagnetic warfare capability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Devlin Bishop)

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Robo-recon

Airman 1st Class Nathaniel Tabor, an explosive ordnance disposal technician, and Tech. Sgt. Kaanen Brabbs, 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron EOD logistics section chief, evaluate the functions of an EOD robot at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Sept. 1, 2026. EOD robots allow technicians to remotely investigate and neutralize hazardous devices from a safe standoff distance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jaiyah Lewis)

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Fueling the fight

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon approaches a KC-135 Stratotanker for aerial refueling within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Aug. 29, 2026. Aerial refueling extends mission duration and operational range, providing continuous air superiority and combat coverage across the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Adriana Jordan-Alcañiz)

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Suppressive fire

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jameson Gabriel, a 35th Security Forces Squadron Combat Arms Training and Maintenance instructor supervisor, fires an M249 squad automatic weapon during heavy weapons qualification at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Aug. 28, 2026. CATM instructors conduct live-fire weapons training to build technical proficiency and maintain combat readiness across the force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Angelica Winther)

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Eye in the sky

A U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry airborne early warning and control aircraft flies a mission in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Aug. 26, 2026. The E-3 provides airborne command and control, battle management, and real-time situational awareness in support of multinational operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Tiffany A. Emery)

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Rope rescue training

Airman Zacharee Reinwald, a 115th Fighter Wing search and rescue extraction medic, scales a training tower during high-angle rope rescue training at Volk Field Combat Readiness Training Center, Wis., Aug. 26, 2026. The training was conducted as part of exercise Patriot 26, an Air National Guard-sponsored exercise designed to enhance domestic disaster response and interagency operations. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Brittany Conley)

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Under the cover of darkness

A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II conducts a nighttime mission within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Aug. 25, 2026. The fifth-generation multirole stealth fighter delivers advanced combat capabilities, enhancing air superiority and deterrence throughout the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Adriana Jordan-Alcañiz)

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Fjord focus

A U.S. Air Force MC-130J Commando II assigned to the 352nd Special Operations Wing conducts low-level flight training over Iceland, Aug. 23, 2026, during exercise Northern Viking 26. The exercise demonstrates the wing's capability to rapidly deploy, integrate with NATO allies, and operate in dynamic Arctic environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Sutton)

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Loaded for action

Chief Master Seargeant of the Air Force David R. Wolfe loads a 105 mm high-explosive round aboard an AC-130J Ghostrider over the Eglin Range Complex, Fla., Sept. 2, 2026. Wolfe and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach observed live-fire operations during a capabilities demonstration highlighting the aircraft's close air support, air interdiction, and armed reconnaissance capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Isabel Tanner)

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Off-road Defenders

Airman 1st Class Adam Fernandez, Airman Levi Ruyle and Staff Sgt. Ethan Farmer, 673rd Security Forces Squadron defenders, ride all-terrain vehicles during Alaska Defense Sustainment Training at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Aug. 31, 2026. The 673rd SFS conducted training to build tactical off-road mobility and vehicle-handling capabilities across rugged terrain. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Frank Houseton)

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Eagle rising

An F-15EX Eagle II takes off from the Boeing production facility in St. Louis, Aug. 28, 2026. The F-15EX modernizes the permanent fighter force at Kadena Air Base, Japan, bolstering deterrence, combat readiness, and bilateral defense interoperability across the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melany Bermudez)

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Water works

Airman 1st Class Xavier Zaragoza, a 23rd Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, operates a fire hose during live-fire training at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., Aug. 20, 2026. The training enhances structural fire response capabilities and ensures rapid readiness for emergency response teams across the installation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Bre Lewis)

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Inside the mind

U.S. Air Force Maj. Michael Ann Glotfelter, 39th Medical Group clinical psychologist, reviews a cranial scan at Incirlik Air Base, Türkiye, Aug. 24, 2026. The imaging enables military medical clinicians to evaluate neurological structures and assess operational cognitive health. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Evelyn D’Errico)

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Extending the mission

A U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry approaches the boom of a KC-135 Stratotanker for midair refueling within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Aug. 26, 2026. In-flight refueling sustains continuous airborne early warning, battle management, and command-and-control coverage throughout the theater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Tiffany A. Emery)

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Bomber readiness

A B-52H Stratofortress awaits mission taskings on the flightline during exercise Bayou Vigilance 26-3 at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Aug. 26, 2026. The recurring exercise tested the rapid generation and strategic deterrence capabilities of Air Force Global Strike Command long-range bomber forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Maxwell Cunningham)

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Sandy landing

A U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron maneuvers across a sand landing zone during exercise Northern Viking 26 in Rømø, Denmark, Aug. 25, 2026. Repeated operations on unimproved surfaces build the aircrew proficiency needed to establish and sustain air mobility from dispersed locations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Edgar Grimaldo)

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Walk through

A U.S Air Force boom operator walks through the fuselage of a KC-135 Stratotanker at a base in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Aug. 25, 2026. Boom operators conduct aerial refueling operations that extend the range and endurance of aircraft supporting missions across the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Adriana Jordan-Alcañiz)

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Grand flyover

A B-2 Spirit, two F-35A Lightning IIs, two F-22 Raptors and four U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning IIs fly over the IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix in Washington, D.C., Aug. 22, 2026. The historic aerial demonstration over the National Mall celebrated the 250th anniversary of the United States while highlighting joint air dominance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joseph Garcia)

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Fuel check

An Airman tests aviation fuel sampled from a C-5M Super Galaxy at José Aponte de la Torre Airport in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, Aug. 22, 2026. Deployed forces supporting Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere maintain agile logistics to counter illicit trafficking and bolster maritime security across the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Kevin Rivas)

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Tanker time

A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II receives fuel from a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Aug. 22, 2026. Aerial refueling operations extend fifth-generation fighter range and deliver persistent global strike readiness across the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Adriana Jordan-Alcaniz)

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