AF Week in Photos

An F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot, assigned to the 79th Fighter Squadron at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., waves at the boom operator after a mid-air refueling during Red Flag 16-3 over the Nevada Test and Training Range, Nev., July 27, 2016. Red Flag is a realistic combat exercise involving multiple military branches conducting training operations on the 15,000-square-mile test and training range. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Kevin Tanenbaum)

Senior Airman Aaron Strande, a search and rescue medic with the Massachusetts Air National Guard’s 102nd Intelligence Wing, stabilizes a sked for a vertical extraction during Vigilant Guard 2016 at Camp Ethan Allen Training Site, Vt., July 31, 2016. Vigilant Guard is a national-level emergency response exercise that provides National Guard units an opportunity to improve cooperation and relationships with regional civilian, military and federal partners in preparation for emergencies and catastrophic events. (U.S. Air National Guard photo/Airman 1st Class Jeffrey Tatro)

A United Launch Alliance NROL-61 spacecraft aboard an Atlas V rocket launches from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., July 28, 2016. Before any spacecraft can launch from Cape Canaveral AFS, a combined team of military, government civilians and contractors from across the 45th Space Wing provide the mission assurance to ensure a safe and successful liftoff for range customers. (United Launch Alliance courtesy photo)

Staff Sgt. Corey Blanar, 455th Expeditionary Communications Squadron, cable and antenna maintenance noncommissioned officer in charge and Patrick Casket, 455th Expeditionary Communications Squadron, cable and antenna maintenance technician, roll a cable reel, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, July 30, 2016. The cable team ensures that all cable and wireless systems are installed and maintained and provide command and control (C2) capabilities throughout the base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Justyn M. Freeman)

An F-22A Raptor, assigned to the 27th Fighter Squadron at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., flies over the Nevada Test and Training Range, Nev., during Red Flag 16-3 July 27, 2016. Red Flag is an exercise hosted at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., and provides aircrews an opportunity to experience realistic combat situations in a controlled environment. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Kevin Tanenbaum)

Multiple units from the Army and Air National Guard work their way through rubble to rescue victims during Vigilant Guard 2016 at Camp Johnson in Colchester, Vt., July 30, 2016. Vigilant Guard is a national-level emergency response exercise which provides National Guard units an opportunity to improve cooperation and relationships with regional civilian, military and federal partners in preparation for emergencies and catastrophic events. (U.S. Air National Guard photo/Senior Airman Jonathon Alderman)

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds demonstrate precision flying during Cheyenne Frontier Days July 27, 2016, in Cheyenne, Wyo. A Thunderbirds performance displays the pride, precision and professionalism of the team while highlighting the skills and training indicative of all members of the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Christopher Ruano)

An F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot, from the Colorado Air National Guard’s 140th Fighter Wing at Buckley Air Force Base, Colo., taxis down the flightline before takeoff during exercise Slovak Warthog, July 27, 2016, at Sliač Air Base, Slovakia. Members of the U.S. and Slovak armed forces joined together for the exercise to demonstrate joint operations with a variety of aircraft. (U.S. Air National Guard photo/Staff Sgt. William Hopper)

A C-130H Hercules, from the 179th Airlift Wing at Mansfield Lahm Air National Guard Base, Ohio, takes off to perform an airdrop during exercise Slovak Warthog, July 27, 2016, at Sliač Air Base, Slovakia. Members of the U.S. and Slovak armed forces joined together for the exercise to demonstrate joint operations with a variety of aircraft. (U.S. Air National Guard photo/Staff Sgt. William Hopper)

A B-52 Stratofortress, from Minot Air Force Base, N.D., flies near the North Pole, July 31, 2016, during Polar Roar, a strategic deterrence exercise. The rapid global mobility and air refueling capabilities of Air Mobility Command and the 305th Air Mobility Wing ensured the B-52’s were able to complete their mission. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Joshua King)