AF Week in Photos

AF Photo of the Week
This week's AF Photo of the Week comes from Airman 1st Class Theodore Gowdy.
F-35A Lightning IIs, F-16 Fighting Falcons, F-22 Raptors and a KC-135 Stratotanker conduct sorties over the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex near Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 13, 2026. The flight provided Gen. Gregory Guillot, commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command, and Danish Gen. Michael Hyldgaard, chief of defense, a firsthand look at Alaska’s unique training environment while highlighting U.S. and allied readiness and cooperation in the Arctic. (Courtesy photo) Northern strength
Senior Airman Mason Johnson, a munitions systems specialist assigned to the 125th Fighter Wing, conducts munitions familiarization training at Jacksonville Air National Guard Base, Fla., Aug. 11, 2026. The training provided Airmen from across the wing hands-on experience with mission-essential procedures outside their primary Air Force specialties, strengthening adaptability and readiness for agile combat employment. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. N.W. Huertas) Close inspection
A U.S Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Aug. 7, 2026. Aerial refueling extends the range and endurance of combat aircraft supporting operations throughout the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. James K. Thomas) Extending the mission
A C-17 Globemaster III flies over Altus Air Force Base, Okla., Aug. 13, 2026. The C-17 provides rapid strategic airlift of troops and cargo while supporting tactical airlift, aeromedical evacuation and airdrop missions worldwide. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jonah Bliss) Bank on it
An F-22 Raptor assigned to the F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team flies past pyrotechnic smoke during the Arctic Thunder Open House at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Aug. 8, 2026. The F-22 is the Air Force’s premier fifth-generation fighter, combining stealth, supercruise and advanced sensor capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Theodore Gowdy) Smoke and thunder
Basic cadets from the U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 2030 stand in formation during the Acceptance Day Parade at Stillman Field in Colorado Springs, Colo., Aug. 5, 2026. The parade marks the conclusion of Basic Cadet Training and formally welcomes the Class of 2030 into the Cadet Wing as fourth-class cadets after six weeks of mental, physical and military training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ray Bahner) Acceptance Day
A B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing flies over the Midwest Aug. 5, 2026. The bomber was one of three B-52s refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 350th Air Refueling Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Patrick O’Neill) Above the clouds
U.S. Air Force Maintainers assigned to the 718th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron conduct preflight inspections on a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 4, 2026. The maintainers verified aircraft systems and equipment ahead of Typhoon Dolphin to ensure the aircraft was ready to support evacuation operations and preserve operational capability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Francisco Huerta) Calm before the storm
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Nathan Carver, 48th Component Maintenance Squadron aerospace propulsion journeyman, works on the routing and clamping of an F100-PW-229 engine at RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom, Aug. 3, 2026. Carver helps maintain engines that power F-15E Strike Eagle operations at RAF Lakenheath and across multiple theaters. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexander Vasquez) Thrust in the making
Staff Sgt. Amaya Hagler, a 445th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron medical technician, checks the vital signs of a simulated patient portrayed by a U.S. Army Soldier assigned to Charlie Company, 5th Battalion, 159th General Support Aviation Battalion, during tactical aeromedical evacuation and joint-service patient transfer training at Fort Knox, Ky., July 29, 2026. The training integrated mock patient transport and in-flight care aboard an Army UH-60 Black Hawk and an Air Force C-17 Globemaster III, enabling patient transition from tactical care to long-range aeromedical evacuation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Patrick O’Reilly) Care Force
Pararescuemen assigned to the 57th Rescue Squadron coordinate the next phase of their mission during Exercise Savage Jackal near Tucson, Ariz., July 24, 2026. The exercise challenged rescue forces to execute time-sensitive personnel recovery missions in darkness, reinforcing their ability to operate in contested environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jenna A. Bond) Under the cover of darkness
A pararescueman assigned to the 38th Rescue Squadron uses a saw to cut through chains on a vehicle to free a simulated injured person during Operation Iron Covenant near Benson, Ariz., July 22, 2026. The training assessed individual proficiency and team effectiveness under realistic conditions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Najzee Kuzu) Rescue under pressure
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Kevin Martinez, a 569th U.S. Forces Police Squadron patrolman, scans the perimeter for targets through his weapon sight during a field training exercise at Kapaun Air Station, Germany, July 23, 2026. The exercise challenged defenders with competing demands that required effective communication and decision-making under pressure. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Paden Lancaster) Eyes downrange
An F-22 Raptor assigned to the Air Force F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team performs during the Arctic Thunder Open House at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Aug. 8, 2026. The team performs precision aerial maneuvers at air shows and open houses worldwide to demonstrate the capabilities of the fifth-generation fighter aircraft. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Joseph Moon) Flying with flare
A C-17 Globemaster III assigned to the Air Force C-17 Demonstration Team at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, performs during the Arctic Thunder Open House at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Aug. 8, 2026. The C-17 provides rapid strategic delivery of personnel and cargo to main operating bases and forward locations. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Joseph Moon) Over the mountain
A KC-46A Pegasus, 141st Air Refueling Squadron, 108th Wing, New Jersey Air National Guard, flies over Wausau, Wis. Aug. 5, 2026. The mission offloaded 40,000 pounds of fuel, supporting operational readiness and integration between Air National Guard units. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Capt. Michael Hong) Sky breaker
Senior Airman Osvaldo Vargas, a 22nd Maintenance Squadron aircraft metals technology specialist, performs metal inert gas welding at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., July 30, 2026. The welding arc generates heat to melt and fuse metal while shielding gas protects the weld area from atmospheric contamination. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Matthew Nguyen) Sparks fly
Maj. Taylor Hiester, F-16 Viper Demonstration Team commander and pilot, performs aerial maneuvers in an F-16C Fighting Falcon during AirVenture at Oshkosh, Wis., July 24, 2026. The F-16 is a multirole fighter capable of air-to-air and air-to-ground combat, and its dynamic demonstrations showcase the aircraft’s versatility across the United States and abroad. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Steven Cardo) Viper demo
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Wyatt Pooler, a 100th Operations Support Squadron survival, evasion, resistance and escape specialist, boards a Caister lifeboat during joint SERE training at Caister-on-Sea, United Kingdom, July 23, 2026. The training, conducted with the Caister Lifeboat Volunteer Service, provided Airmen hands-on survival instruction rooted in generations of lifesaving expertise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Chloe Masey) SERE training
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kane Dew, 569th U.S. Forces Police Squadron lead training instructor, fires an M240B machine gun at simulated hostile forces during a field training exercise at Kapaun Air Station, Germany, July 23, 2026. The exercise strengthened shoot-and-move techniques, communication, land navigation, mounted operations and combat-response skills to support evolving mission requirements. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Paden Lancaster) Suppressive fire
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Andrew Gonzalez, Airman 1st Class Elias Villaseñor and Senior Airman Jacob Thompson, 100th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters, extinguish a fire during the 100th CES Fire Department Rookie Academy at RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom, July 22, 2026. The academy condenses four months of training into three weeks for new firefighters, providing consistent, high-quality instruction. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Aidan Martínez Rosiere) Trial by fire
A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing prepares for aerial refueling over the North Sea July 20, 2026, during exercise Combat Archer U.K. The exercise provides British and U.S. units an opportunity to integrate during live-fire air-to-air training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cody J. A. Mott) Close encounter
A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle flies over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility July 15, 2026. The F-15E provides all-weather air-to-air and air-to-ground combat capabilities that support regional security and operational readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Tiffany A. Emery) Eagle on patrol
U.S. Army paratroopers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 11th Airborne Division, jump from a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III over Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, July 15, 2026, during exercise Arctic Predictable Iron 26. The five-day exercise included rapid-movement training and airdrop operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lauren Torres) Arctic jump
Staff Sgt. Philip Slick performs pushups under pressure during the 101st Air Refueling Wing Security Forces Squadron Best Defender Competition in Bangor, Maine, July 27, 2026. The competition tested security forces Airmen's proficiency in land navigation, marksmanship, tactical fitness, doctrine knowledge and endurance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Andrew Sinclair) One more for the 101st
U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors assigned to the 27th and 90th Expeditionary Fighter Squadrons taxi to the runway during readiness exercise Beverly Beach 26-1 at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 3, 2026. The exercise strengthens readiness to deter aggression and defend the shared interests of the United States and Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Nathaniel Jackson) Raptors lead the way
Maj. Sean Laughlin, F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team commander, performs an aerial maneuver during the Arctic Lightning Air Show at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 2, 2026. The demonstration showcased the advanced capabilities of the F-35A Lightning II while highlighting the skill, precision and professionalism of Air Force personnel. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Colin Perkins) Lightning show
Airman 1st Class Kaitlyn Hunter, assigned to the 421st Fighter Generation Squadron, and other Aircraft Armament Systems specialists assigned to the 388th Maintenance Group participate in a quarterly weapons-loading competition at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, July 24, 2026. The competition encourages Airmen to hone their skills while demonstrating the speed and precision required to safely load weapons onto F-35A Lightning II aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nicholas Rupiper) Fast load
Recently deployed Airmen hug their families after returning to Bangor Air National Guard Base, Maine, July 27, 2026. The Airmen returned home following a routine deployment to an undisclosed location in Europe. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Andrew Sinclair) Welcome home
Pararescuemen assigned to the 57th Rescue Squadron, based at Aviano Air Base, Italy, conduct a vehicle extraction of an isolated person during Exercise Savage Jackal at Playas, N.M., July 26, 2026. The training enhanced the squadron's capability to recover isolated personnel from damaged vehicles while preparing rescue forces to respond to complex real-world contingencies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jenna A. Bond) Vehicle rescue

 

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