AF Week in Photos

Photo of the Week
This week’s Air Force Week in Photos “Top Shot” is a courtesy photo from the U.S. Air Force.
Two U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs fly in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility July 2, 2026. The aircraft deliver advanced airpower capabilities that enhance combat readiness and support regional security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Tiffany A. Emery) Double trouble
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Malcom Dixon and Staff Sgt. Reynold Lewis, 86th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aerospace propulsion journeymen, retorque propeller nuts on a C-130J Super Hercules engine at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, July 17, 2026. Routine engine maintenance helps keep C-130Js mission ready for tactical airlift operations across U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Edgar Grimaldo) Mission ready
Therapy dogs wait to greet returning service members at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., July 8, 2026. Therapy dogs support morale and help create a welcoming environment for Airmen returning home from deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Marharyta Chumakova) Fur force
Senior Airman Martin Palomino, a 552nd Operations Support Squadron survival, evasion, resistance and escape specialist, works with Airmen to secure a canopy over a life raft during water survival training at Altus Air Force Base, Okla., July 10, 2026. SERE specialists led the Airmen as they practiced properly securing the canopy to the raft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Emma Wright) Water survival training
A U.S. Air Force Airman assigned to the 8th Fighter Wing takes a defensive position during an opposing-force training scenario for Beverly Sentinel 26-4 at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, July 22, 2026. The realistic training required personnel to adapt to complex challenges and strengthened their ability to execute the mission under high-stress conditions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tabatha Chapman) Eyes on target
U.S. Air Force Airmen prepare to transport U.S. Marines and equipment aboard a C-17 Globemaster III before departing Simón Bolívar International Airport at Maiquetía, Venezuela, July 16, 2026. At the direction of U.S. Southern Command, the military is supporting State Department-led U.S. disaster assistance for the people of Venezuela following the June 24 earthquakes. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Devin M. Rumbaugh) Night moves
Senior Airman Michelle Ferrari, a 49th Wing public affairs specialist, interviews actor and humanitarian Gary Sinise during his visit to Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., July 12, 2026. Sinise discussed his support for the military community through the Gary Sinise Foundation and Lt. Dan Band performances, which honor service members, veterans, first responders and their families. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ariana Barreto) Foundation of service
Maj. Taylor Hiester, F-16 Viper Demonstration Team commander and pilot, performs aerial maneuvers in an F-16C Fighting Falcon during an air show in Goshen, Ind., July 10, 2026. The multirole fighter demonstrates its air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities during performances across the United States and abroad. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Steven Cardo) Viper show
Basic cadets from the U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 2030 and cadet cadre march back from Jacks Valley at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., July 24, 2026. March Back marks the conclusion of the second phase of Basic Cadet Training, during which cadets completed field training designed to develop discipline, resilience, teamwork and warfighting readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jonathan Suni) King of the mountain
An LC-130H Skibird assigned to the 109th Airlift Wing sits on the flightline during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh at Oshkosh, Wis., July 23, 2026. The Experimental Aircraft Association’s annual fly-in convention showcases military, commercial and general aviation through aircraft displays, educational programs and aerial demonstrations. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Jamie Spaulding) Skibird and a show
Basic cadets from the U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 2030 participate in a culminating exercise during Basic Cadet Training at Jacks Valley, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., July 23, 2026. The culminating exercise tested field skills, teamwork, discipline and decision-making as basic cadets build warfighting readiness during the second phase of BCT. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) Halt
A C-130H Hercules from the 302nd Airlift Wing, call sign MAFFS 2, sits on the flightline at sunset at Klamath Falls, Ore., July 22, 2026. The aircraft is equipped with a U.S. Forest Service-owned Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System and supports aerial firefighting missions across the West Coast, augmenting the civilian air tanker fleet when commercial resources are fully committed. (U.S. Air Force courtesy photo) Flightline sunset
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

 

  • Support to Families


 

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