AF Week in Photos U.S. Air Force Logo June 30, 2023 Extending the mission A CV-22 Osprey refuels from an MC-130J Commando II over the Emerald Coast during Operation Centennial Contact, June 27, 2023, commemorating 100 years of aerial refueling. Air Force Special Operations Command’s modified C-130s, from the HC-130P/N Combat King to the MC-130J Commando II, have been an integral component to refueling special operations aircraft since 1990. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Natalie Fiorilli) Details Download Problem solved U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Sarah Stec, 104th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron fuels systems specialist, Massachusetts National Guard, troubleshoots an issue on the aerial refueling door on an F-15 Eagle during exercise Air Defender 2023 at Hohn Air Base, Germany, June 13, 2023. Exercise AD23 integrates both U.S. and allied airpower to defend shared values, while leveraging and strengthening vital partnerships to deter aggression around the world. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Hanna Smith) Details Download Bomber away A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the 23rd Bomb Squadron at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., takes off in support of a Bomber Task Force deployment at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, June 15, 2023. U.S. Strategic Command forces are on watch 24/7 globally, operating in all domains to defend the nation and its allies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Zade Vadnais) Details Download Class of 2027 Basic cadets from the Class of 2027 arrive at the U.S. Air Force Academy for in-processing June 28, 2023, in Colorado Springs, Colo. “I-Day” marks the start of their journey of becoming commissioned officers in the U.S. Air and Space Forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) Details Download Final goodbye The 305th and 514th Air Mobility Wings bid farewell to the last KC-10 Extender set for retirement during a ceremony at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., June 21, 2023. The retirement of the final KC-10 represents a transition toward a more modern and advanced Total Force tanker enterprise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sergio Avalos) Details Download Enjoying the view U.S. Air Force Master Sgts. Patrick McCartney and Clint Elkins, 189th Airlift Wing loadmasters, Arkansas National Guard, sit on the ramp of a C-130 Hercules aircraft during a low-level training mission over Germany during exercise Air Defender 2023, June 20, 2023. Exercise AD23 integrates both U.S. and allied airpower to defend shared values, while leveraging and strengthening vital partnerships to deter aggression around the world. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Caila Arahood) Details Download Fun with Frenky Frenky, 355th Security Forces Squadron military working dog, subdues Tech. Sgt. Nelson Acosta, 355th SFS MWD section kennel master, during a demonstration for the Arizona Youth Impact Program at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., June 15, 2023. The Arizona YIP collaborated with military members to promote positive development in middle school students. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Devlin Bishop) Details Download Maintaining comms Staff Sgt. Cameron Klaffer, 33rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron F-35A Lightning II dedicated crew chief, talks to the pilot during a hot pit refuel at Cecil Field, Fla., June 14, 2023. As part of exercise Nomad Lightning, maintenance personnel were deployed to Cecil Airport and Spaceport to execute Agile Combat Employment with their objective being to validate and perform hot pit operations for two F-35A Lightning IIs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Amber Litteral) Details Download Enhancing capabilities through partnerships U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Michael Harbeck, 824th Base Defense Squadron fire team member, discusses Puma Unmanned Aerial System operations with members of the Royal Canadian Navy during exercise Agile Blizzard-Unified Vision 2023 aboard a RCN vessel near British Columbia, Canada, June 21, 2023. Both the U.S. Air Force and RCN operate the Puma UAS and were able to pass on different techniques, tactics and procedures to build the capabilities of both forces and enhance joint partnerships. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Betty R. Chevalier) Details Download Laying the foundation First Lt. Jason Cabra and Tech. Sgt. Daniel Hicks, 127th Civil Engineer Squadron, Michigan Air National Guard, prepare a housing lot before pouring the concrete foundation during the Cherokee Veterans Housing Initiative in the Cherokee Nation, near Tahlequah, Okla., June 13, 2023. U.S. military construction units are working with the Cherokee Nation to build houses for veterans who are members of the tribe. The military units provide the labor to train in their military specialties and the tribe provides the materials. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Abigail Olsen) Details Download 70 years of Thunder The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron "Thunderbirds" perform in Davenport, Iowa, June 23-25, 2023. This year marks the Thunderbirds’ 70th anniversary and the team is slated to headline 63 shows across 32 different locations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Dakota Carter) Details Download Final salute U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron salute U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Nathan Jenkins, 9th EBS commander, during his last flight with the 9th EBS at RAF Fairford, United Kingdom, June 27, 2023. The 9th EBS successfully completed Bomber Task Force 23-3 and are heading back to Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. Given the inherent speed, flexibility, and range of strategic bombers, Bomber Task Force missions highlight U.S. capabilities to work closely with U.S. allies and partners to any potential adversary. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Josiah Brown) Details Download All systems go Capt. Cecilia Tumas, and 1st Lt. Samuel Kuo, 333rd Fighter Squadron pilots, conduct a preflight safety check on an F-15E Strike Eagle at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., June 14, 2023. The purpose of the inspection is to improve flight safety by ensuring no important tasks are forgotten. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Leighton Lucero) Details Download Thracian Sentry 2023 A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 134th Air Refueling Wing and F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 337th Fighter Squadron fly over Greece, June 20th, 2023. The 134th ARW and 337th FS supported Thracian Sentry 2023, a joint operation between the 134th ARW, Hellenic and Bulgaria air forces. (U.S. National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Ben Cash) Details Download This week's photos feature Airmen from around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.