AF Week in Photos

PHOTO OF THE WEEK
This week's AF Week in Photo Top Shot comes from Senior Airman Matthew S. Domingos.
Master Sgt. Matthew Kirkpatrick, a member of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa Band, performs with the Hungarian Riot Police Band during a Freedom 250 event in Budapest, Hungary, July 2, 2026. The USAFE-AFAFRICA Band supports Freedom 250 by strengthening partnerships and engaging communities throughout Hungary through musical performances. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Rito Smith) Budapest ballad
A contractor welds a 6-inch Schedule 40 HVAC pipe during an infrastructure improvement project, July 14, 2026, at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. The project supports quality-of-life improvements for Airmen and their families. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Matthew S. Domingos) Sparks fly
F-15E Strike Eagles assigned to the 17th Weapons Squadron taxi for a mission at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., July 7, 2026. The squadron provides graduate-level advanced tactics training for F-15E aircrews. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Annika Schermerhorn) Follow the leader
An F-22A Raptor assigned to the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron takes off for a mission at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., July 7, 2026. The squadron conducts operational testing of fighter aircraft and munitions for Air Combat Command. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Annika Schermerhorn) Raptor mission
A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 100th Air Refueling Wing undergoes inspection and maintenance inside a hangar, July 1, 2026, at RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom. The aircraft was de-paneled and inspected by multiple maintenance organizations during a two-day maintenance effort. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cody J. A. Mott) Anatomy of airpower
Basic cadets from the U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 2030 complete the Assault Course during Basic Cadet Training at Jacks Valley, July 17, 2026. The training develops confidence, teamwork, discipline, and resilience as the cadets build warfighting readiness during the second phase of their training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) Accepting the challenge
Loadmasters assigned to the 153rd Airlift Wing load a Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS) into a C-130 Hercules at Wyoming Air National Guard Base, July 13, 2026. The wing deployed two aircraft, one equipped with a MAFFS, to support wildland firefighting operations across the western U.S. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Zach Herold) Fighting fire, flying higher
Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force David Wolfe answers questions during an all-call at RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom, July 13, 2026. Wolfe discussed mission readiness, innovation, and developing the next generation of Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Chloe Masey) Answering the call
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Javier Berganza, 726th Expeditionary Mission Support Squadron Fly Away Security Team lead, listens to an after-action review following FASEX 26.2 at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, June 30, 2026. The exercise strengthened coordination between security forces and airlift crews to improve integrated base defense in high-threat environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Carlin Leslie) Stay cool
F-35A Lightning IIs assigned to the 115th Fighter Wing, Wisconsin Air National Guard, fly in formation while awaiting aerial refueling from a KC-46A Pegasus assigned to the 32nd Air Refueling Squadron over Wisconsin, June 25, 2026. The mission supported Operation Iron Orchid, the 115th Fighter Wing's largest exercise in 23 years. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Francine D. Martin) Diamonds in the sky
Airmen assigned to the 509th Logistics Readiness Squadron provide Tactical Combat Casualty Care during a field training exercise, June 25, 2026, at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. The exercise, which included dismounted ground combat and care-under-fire fundamentals, ensured Airmen are prepared to fight, survive, and win in contested environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Nicholas Moreno) Care under fire
A B-52 Stratofortress assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing flies over Mount Rushmore National Memorial during a Freedom 250 celebration, July 3, 2026. The B-52 remains a key component of America's long-range strategic deterrence capability. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by 2nd Lt. Jorrie Hart) Freedom flyover
An F-16 Fighting Falcon takes off from a base within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, June 23, 2026. The aircraft supports combat operations by providing rapid, precision strike capability and defending coalition forces across the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Noah J. Tancer) Falcon flight
The YFQ-44A Collaborative Combat Aircraft flies over the Mojave Desert, Calif., July 10, 2026. The experimental aircraft fired an AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile as part of a deliberate, phased test progression that began with inert carriage evaluations earlier this year. The autonomous aircraft is designed to operate alongside crewed platforms, extending their reach, survivability and effectiveness in contested environments. (U.S. Air Force photo) Test phase
Chaos, an American Red Cross therapy dog, sits on the flightline at Joint Base Charleston, S.C., July 8, 2026. Therapy dogs help create a relaxed environment where service members can reduce stress and improve resilience. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Braxton Grant Stokes) Therapy support
The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, perform during the Salute to America celebration at Washington, D.C., July 4, 2026. The demonstration supported the nationwide observance of America’s 250th anniversary. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Katharine Winchell) Homeland salute
Staff Sgt. Tyler Culbertson, assigned to the 167th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, fires an M4 carbine during weapons qualification training at the 167th Airlift Wing firing range in Martinsburg, W.Va., June 30, 2026. The training reinforced firearms safety, weapon familiarization and marksmanship skills to maintain combat readiness. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman Colby Smith) Trigger discipline
Airmen assigned to the 120th Airlift Wing, Montana Air National Guard, participate in Operation War Hog Breakout during a combat readiness inspection in Great Falls and Helena, Mont., June 28, 2026. The inspection evaluated the wing’s ability to survive, operate and accomplish mission-essential tasks in a simulated deployed environment. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Nicholas Reid) War Hogs
A B-2 Spirit assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing and an F-15E Strike Eagle assigned to the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron participate in a live-fire sinking exercise during Valiant Shield 2026 over the Philippine Sea, June 27, 2026. The exercise demonstrated the joint force’s ability to integrate multi-domain capabilities with allies across the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Blake Wiles) Pacific power
Senior Airman Steven Hoover, an 841st Missile Security Forces Squadron defender, establishes a stack before entering a room during close-quarters battle training at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., June 24, 2026. The training develops communication, discipline and precision for operating in confined spaces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Teniya Caldwell) Stack ‘em
A crew chief performs maintenance on an F-16 Fighting Falcon at a base within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, June 23, 2026. Routine maintenance ensures the aircraft remains safe, reliable and ready to support combat air operations across the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Justin W. Moore) Checking under the hood
A C-5M Super Galaxy sits on the flightline at Dover Air Force Base, Del., June 18, 2026. The aircraft completed the installation’s C-5M flight deck refurbishment pilot project, restoring worn interior areas during a scheduled major isochronal inspection without adding maintenance downtime. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Keira Rossman) Galaxy refresh
Master Sgt. Daniel Stikeleather, a 212th Rescue Squadron pararescueman, and a simulated casualty are hoisted into an HH-60W Jolly Green II during the Arctic Thunder Open House 26 full-scale exercise at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, June 17, 2026. The exercise simulated the recovery of a pilot following an aircraft incident. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Keola Vischi) Buddy lift
An F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 65th Aggressor Squadron is marshaled on the flightline at Creech Air Force Base, Nev., June 17, 2026. Exercise Venom Forge is an in-house, limited-scope event designed to develop and test critical thinking, planning and execution across logistics, maintenance and munitions operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jake Jacobsen) Ready to fight
The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, “Thunderbirds,” conduct an aerial demonstration over the National Mall, as viewed from the Lincoln Memorial, in support of Salute to America 250 in Washington, D.C., July 4, 2026. The historic flyover celebrated the nation’s 250th birthday while showcasing the precision, professionalism and combat capability of the U.S. Air Force’s premier aerial demonstration team. (U.S. Air Force photo by AJ Bleyer) American history
The Air Force’s VC-25B Bridge aircraft is escorted by F-22 Raptors assigned to the 1st Fighter Wing over Washington, D.C., June 26, 2026. The flight rehearsed the HUGE 1 flyover for the America 250 Independence Day celebration and demonstrated the coordination required for a large-scale aerial tribute. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Lauren Diaz) Dress rehearsal
The starboard side of a heritage tail design is displayed on an F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 175th Fighter Squadron, South Dakota Air National Guard, at Joe Foss Field in Sioux Falls, S.D., June 12, 2026. The design honors America’s 250th anniversary with 13 Betsy Ross stars representing the original colonies, a silhouette of Mount Rushmore, the numeral 250, and the years 1776-2026. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Luke Olson) Tail art
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Robert Hutton, 37th Airlift Squadron instructor loadmaster, assists Green Berets assigned to U.S. Special Operations Command Europe during a high-altitude, low-opening jump in Baumholder, Germany, July 4, 2026. Training with special operations forces strengthens interoperability between mobility and special operations units for global contingency operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Edgar Grimaldo) Loadmaster
A crew chief marshals a U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon before taxiing at an undisclosed location within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, June 16, 2026. The sortie supported ongoing regional operations and maintained the aircraft’s readiness to provide airpower across the theater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Justin W. Moore) Taxi service
Airmen prepare to refuel a C-130J Super Hercules at Saipan International Airport, Northern Mariana Islands, June 29, 2026, during exercise Valiant Shield 2026. The exercise strengthens joint integration across the Indo-Pacific and demonstrates the readiness and flexibility of the joint force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Caleb Schellenberg) Mirror image

 

  • Support to Families


 

201207-F-AF999-1004.pngfreedom250AFbanner.pngDDVbottom-01.pngSAPRbottom.png