AF Week in Photos

PHOTO OF THE WEEK
This week's AF Week in Photo Top Shot comes from Kenneth Abbate
Airman Basic Tyvier Goldsmith, 343rd Training Squadron Basic Defender Course student, pauses between runs on an obstacle course at Joint Base San Antonio-Chapman Training Annex, Texas, May 11, 2026. Students completed practice runs before being evaluated on their final graded attempt. (U.S. Air Force photo by Joshua J. Garcia) Warrior grit
Capt. Nick Le Tourneau, pilot and commander of the F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team, performs during the Air Dot Show Tour in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., May 9, 2026. Le Tourneau demonstrated the maneuverability and combat capabilities of the F-22 during the aerial performance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mary Bowers) Raptor flares
Fireworks illuminate the sky behind a U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron during the Japanese-American Friendship Festival 2026 at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 17, 2026. The two-day event celebrated the enduring U.S.-Japan alliance through aircraft displays, cultural exchanges and live entertainment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Osakabe) Festival fireworks
Royal Australian Air Force Air Marshal Stephen Chappell, chief of Air Force, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach, and Gen. Kevin Schneider, Pacific Air Forces commander, stand at the front of the honor cordon during the Pacific Air Chiefs Symposium 2026 at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, May 12, 2026. The symposium brought together air chiefs and senior enlisted leaders from more than 20 countries to strengthen alliances and partnerships throughout the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Makenna Patterson) Pacific unity
Staff Sgt. Benjamin Noel, a fire protection specialist assigned to the 124th Civil Engineer Squadron, rappels down a cliff face during mountain rescue training at Shaw Mountain in Boise, Idaho, May 8, 2026. The training prepared firefighters to locate and safely recover simulated victims using rope rescue systems and mapped search techniques. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Sarah Welch) Controlled descent
Master Sgt. Austin Tyler, 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron superintendent of ground transportation, carries a fallen teammate during a simulated maneuver-under-fire exercise at the Warrior Gauntlet at Kadena Air Base, Japan, May 8, 2026. The event emphasized teamwork, resilience and combat readiness under pressure. Wingman
Master Sgt. Drew Rauch, 121st Maintenance Squadron hydraulics technician, performs a mechanical systems check on the boom of a KC-135 Stratotanker at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, Ohio, May 7, 2026. The inspection ensures the boom can safely extend, retract and maneuver during aerial refueling operations. Boom check
Airmen assigned to the 60th Civil Engineer Squadron extinguish a simulated aircraft fire during live-fire training at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., May 6, 2026. The joint training event, held May 6-8, ensured firefighters maintained Federal Aviation Administration certification while strengthening partnerships between military and civilian emergency responders. Into the fire
Maj. Sean Loughlin, F-35A Demonstration Team pilot, conducts aerial maneuvers during a practice demonstration at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, May 4, 2026. Practice demonstrations help maintain the precision flying skills required to execute airshows worldwide. Precision power
The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron “Thunderbirds” perform during the Great Texas Air Show at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, May 2, 2026. For more than seven decades, the Thunderbirds have inspired future Airmen through precision aerial demonstrations and community engagement. Mirror image
Airmen assigned to the 92nd Air Refueling Wing practice tactical movement and patrol formations during exercise Iron Ascent at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., April 30, 2026. The three-day exercise sharpened tactical proficiency and combat readiness through classroom instruction and field training scenarios. Tactical push
A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle takes off from a base at an undisclosed location in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, April 28, 2026. The F-15E is an all-weather tactical fighter designed to gain and maintain air superiority while supporting combat operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Nathan Lipscomb) Strike launch
U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles assigned to the 494th Fighter Squadron fly in formation over the United Kingdom, May 7, 2026. Members of the 48th Equipment Maintenance Squadron painted the aircraft in a camouflage pattern to honor the legacy of Operation El Dorado Canyon and pay tribute to Capt. Fernando Ribas-Dominicci and Paul Lorence, who were lost during the mission in 1986. Their call sign, “KARMA 52”, was painted on the aircraft in tribute. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Dorian Javidi) KARMA formation
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Michael Foldes, 39th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal supply noncommissioned officer in charge, checks restraints around a simulated unexploded ordnance prior to ground extraction during Operation Deterrent Viking II at Baumholder Military Training Area, Germany, May 4, 2026. Hosted by Ramstein Air Base, Operation Deterrent Viking II reinforces safety and precision alongside NATO partners while enabling teams to share tactics, techniques and procedures. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kadielle Shaw) Ordnance extraction
An Airman participates in the Norwegian Foot March held at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., May 2, 2026. Participants completed an 18.6-mile course while wearing a combat uniform and carrying a 25-pound rucksack within 4 hours and 30 minutes for men and 4 hours and 50 minutes for women. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Najzee Kuzu) Earning miles
An F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., takes off during exercise Checkered Flag 26-2 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., May 4, 2026. Checkered Flag immerses aircrew in high-intensity scenarios designed to test mission execution while integrating multiple generations of aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Zeeshan Naeem) Capture the flag
California Air National Guard Airmen assigned to March Air Reserve Base conduct heavy weapons qualification training with the M240B, M249 and M320 at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., May 2, 2026. Airmen conducted live-fire training under the supervision of Combat Arms Training and Maintenance personnel to maintain weapon proficiency and mission readiness. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Joseph Pagan) Heavy gunner
Airman 1st Class Christian Deleo, Eglin Honor Guard member, prepares to play Taps during the 57th Annual Explosive Ordnance Disposal Memorial at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., May 2, 2026. Names of recent fallen and past EOD technicians are added to the memorial wall and flags are presented to their families during the annual ceremony held at the Kauffman EOD Training Complex. (U.S. Air Force photo by Samuel King Jr.) Taps
Defense Advanced Research Project Agency’s XRQ-73 hybrid-electric experimental aircraft takes off at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., April 30, 2026, as part of DARPA’s Series Hybrid Electric Propulsion Aircraft Demonstration program. The flight marked a step forward in demonstrating the military utility of hybrid-electric propulsion. (Courtesy photo) A glimpse into the future
An aircrew flight equipment specialist wears a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear mask during exercise Toxic Magnolia at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., April 27, 2026. The training reinforced standardized procedures that ensure aircrew can safely return to the fight following a CBRN threat. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Noah Noonan) Toxic defender
U.S. Air Force C-130H Hercules aircraft assigned to the 139th Airlift Wing and the Polish air force conduct an elephant walk during Rodeo Day in support of Hussar Saber 26-1 at 33rd Airlift Base, Powidz, Poland, April 24, 2026. Hussar Saber highlighted U.S. European Command’s commitment to helping NATO allies build military capability, capacity and confidence to lead the conventional defense of Europe. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Maria Umanzor Guzman) Herculean walk
A Tactical Air Control Party Airman assigned to Detachment 2, 6th Combat Training Squadron, fires an M320A1 grenade launcher during heavy weapons training at Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis, Texas, April 23, 2026. The M320A1 is used to engage enemy personnel in bunkers, foxholes and behind obstacles, while also providing illumination, target marking and concealment support for troop movements. (U.S. Air Force photo by Melissa Hydrick) Grenade launch
U.S. Air Force Gen. Kevin Schneider, Pacific Air Forces commander, conducts an honor guard review during a visit to Air Headquarters in New Delhi, India, April 21, 2026. The U.S.-India defense relationship strengthens deterrence and preserves peace and security throughout the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Dhruv Gopinath) Review ready
A 75th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight robot uses a camera to scan a small unmanned aerial system during a combat readiness inspection at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, April 17, 2026. The inspection evaluated the 75th Air Base Wing’s readiness to detect, overcome and execute mission requirements under challenging conditions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Cynthia Griggs) Robot recon
A C-5M Super Galaxy assigned to the 433rd Airlift Wing sits on the ramp. Heavy lifter
An F-35A Lightning II assigned to the F-35A Demonstration Team performs a maneuver. FIDAE flyer
27th Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink aims an M9 sidearm under the guidance of a Combat Arms instructor. Double-O-27
AC-130J Ghostrider pilots assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing perform a defensive maneuver during exercis Night ops
A T-7A Red Hawk lands after flight at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas Next gen trainer
A C-130 Hercules prepares to land at an undisclosed location in the Middle East at sunset Desert landing


 


 

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