Planes over water — AIR FORCE PHOTOS

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Cadet field challenge

Cadet Fourth Class Alex Polen participates in the Spring Culminating Exercise at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., April 16, 2026. The multi-day exercise tests leadership, warfighting and mission planning skills in realistic field scenarios. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley)

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Elephant walk

F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 180th Fighter Wing conduct an elephant walk during a Combat Readiness Inspection in Swanton, Ohio, April 26, 2026. The inspection evaluates unit capability, efficiency and mission readiness. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Beth Holliker)

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Thunderbird sunrise

An F-16 Fighting Falcon sits on the flight line before sunrise at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., April 24, 2026, ahead of the Wings Over Solano air show. The event showcases aerial excellence and Air Force capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kenneth Abbate)

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Rapid insertion

A U.S. Army M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System sits near a C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 40th Airlift Squadron after a rapid insertion during exercise Balikatan 2026 at Clark Air Base, Philippines, April 23, 2026. The operation demonstrates joint force mobility and alliance strength. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jade M. Caldwell)

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Spring training

Aircrew operating a C-130J with a Modular Aerial Fire Fighting System conduct a water drop during MAFFS spring training at Tahoe National Forest, Calif., April 20, 2026. Training prepares military and civilian crews for wildfire response operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Garrett Wake)

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Above the clouds

Capt. Madeleine Knapp, 1st Lt. Dallion Richards and Capt. John Toohey, 40th Airlift Squadron pilots, monitor flight controls aboard a C-130J Super Hercules during a Maximum Endurance Operation in support of exercise Balikatan near Clark Air Base, Philippines, April 17, 2026. The exercise strengthens alliance readiness and combined operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jade M. Caldwell)

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Preflight prep

An Airman assigned to the 317th Airlift Wing conducts preflight checks inside a C-130J Super Hercules during a Maximum Endurance Operation in support of Exercise Balikatan 2026 at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, April 15, 2026. The exercise strengthens combined readiness and regional security with Philippine partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class William Neal)

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Preparing to fly

Capt. Nick “Laz” Le Tourneau, pilot and commander of the F-22 Raptor Aerial Demonstration Team, conducts preflight checks prior to taxiing at the Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo at Lakeland, Fla., April 14, 2026. Le Tourneau showcased the capabilities of the F-22 Raptor to attendees by performing multiple combat maneuver demonstrations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mary Bowers)

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Range qualification

A Tactical Air Control Party Airman with Detachment 2, 6th Combat Training Squadron, fires an M4 carbine during small arms qualification at Joint Base San Antonio–Camp Bullis, Texas, April 10, 2026. Training ensures combat readiness across firing positions and distances. (U.S. Air Force photo by Melissa Hydrick)

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Integrated airpower

A Singapore Air Force F-16D Fighting Falcon, a Belgian Air Component F-35A Lightning II and an F-35A Lightning II aircraft assigned to the 56th Fighter Wing bank in formation near Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., April 10, 2026. The training reinforces interoperability and combat effectiveness across partner nations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Belinda Guachun-Chichay)

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Raptor ready

An F-22 Raptor pilot assigned to the 199th Air Expeditionary Squadron taxis for a training sortie during exercise Cope Thunder 26-1 at Basa Air Base, Philippines, April 8, 2026. The exercise enhances interoperability and regional security in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Mysti Bicoy)

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Cable competition

Airman 1st Class Euisol Jung, an electrical power production team member assigned to the 99th Civil Engineer Squadron, assembles a BAK-12 aircraft arresting cable at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., April 6, 2026. Jung participated in a competition designed to test operational capabilities in the event a fighter aircraft must abort a takeoff or conduct an emergency landing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Annika Schermerhorn)

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VC-25B Bridge program

A VC-25B Bridge aircraft taxis on a runway after landing at Waco, Texas. The aircraft recently completed modification and flight-testing phases, entering maintenance to be painted in red, white, gold and blue livery. The program remains on schedule to deliver the Bridge aircraft to the Presidential Airlift Group no later than summer 2026. (Courtesy Photo)

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VC-25B Bridge program

A VC-25B Bridge aircraft takes off for flight testing at Greenville, Texas. The aircraft recently completed modification and flight-testing phases, entering maintenance to be painted in red, white, gold and blue livery. The program remains on schedule to deliver the Bridge aircraft to the Presidential Airlift Group no later than summer 2026. (Courtesy photo)

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260420-Z-VT588-1215

Tech Sgt. Ty Bryan, a Tactical Air Control Party Airman assigned to the 124th Air Support Operations Squadron, Idaho Air National Guard, executes close air support training objectives on April 20, 2026, at Razorback Range, near Fort Smith, Ark. TACPs maintain a rigorous training schedule necessary to control the airspace anywhere in the world. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech Sgt. Joseph R. Morgan)

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260420-Z-VT588-1152

Tactical Air Control Party Airmen assigned to the 124th Air Support Operations Squadron, Idaho Air National Guard, prepare for close air support training on April 20, 2026, at Razorback Range, near Fort Smith, Ark. TACPs maintain a rigorous training schedule necessary to control the airspace anywhere in the world. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech Sgt. Joseph R. Morgan)

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260420-Z-VT588-1023

The 188th Wing Detachment 1 Razorback Range near Fort Smith, Ark. provides a space for joint military operations training. Razorback facilitates military and contracted civilian personnel to increase training capacity and strengthen community and joint operations partnerships. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech Sgt. Joseph R. Morgan)

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Pushing limits

Senior Airman Isaiah Nichols, 99th Communications Squadron, moves a tire during the Nellis Operational Readiness Trials at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., April 10, 2026. The event tested teamwork, endurance and mission-focused execution across the installation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Annika Schermerhorn)

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Maintaining the fight

Tech. Sgt. Victor Wallace, an aerospace ground equipment specialist with the 116th Maintenance Group, conducts routine maintenance at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., April 8, 2026. Aerospace ground equipment specialists maintain and repair equipment that supplies electricity, hydraulic pressure and air pressure to aircraft. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Barry Bena)

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Trigger time

Tactical Air Control Party Airmen assigned to Detachment 2, 6th Combat Training Squadron, conduct small arms training with an M4 carbine at Joint Base San Antonio–Camp Bullis, Texas, April 8, 2026. The training focuses on weapon proficiency, close-quarters battle and combat scenarios to prepare Airmen for integrating airpower with ground maneuver units. (U.S. Air Force photo by Melissa Hydrick)

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