AF Week in Photos

AF Photo of the Week
This week's AF Photo of the Week comes from Senior Airman Isabel Tanner
An EC-130H Compass Call and an EA-37B Compass Call assigned to the 55th Electronic Combat Group fly in formation over southern Arizona, Sept. 3, 2026. The EA-37B is replacing the EC-130H, modernizing the Air Force’s airborne electromagnetic warfare capability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Devlin Bishop) Passing the torch
Airman 1st Class Nathaniel Tabor, an explosive ordnance disposal technician, and Tech. Sgt. Kaanen Brabbs, 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron EOD logistics section chief, evaluate the functions of an EOD robot at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Sept. 1, 2026. EOD robots allow technicians to remotely investigate and neutralize hazardous devices from a safe standoff distance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jaiyah Lewis) Robo-recon
A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon approaches a KC-135 Stratotanker for aerial refueling within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Aug. 29, 2026. Aerial refueling extends mission duration and operational range, providing continuous air superiority and combat coverage across the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Adriana Jordan-Alcañiz) Fueling the fight
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jameson Gabriel, a 35th Security Forces Squadron Combat Arms Training and Maintenance instructor supervisor, fires an M249 squad automatic weapon during heavy weapons qualification at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Aug. 28, 2026. CATM instructors conduct live-fire weapons training to build technical proficiency and maintain combat readiness across the force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Angelica Winther) Suppressive fire
A U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry airborne early warning and control aircraft flies a mission in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Aug. 26, 2026. The E-3 provides airborne command and control, battle management, and real-time situational awareness in support of multinational operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Tiffany A. Emery) Eye in the sky
Airman Zacharee Reinwald, a 115th Fighter Wing search and rescue extraction medic, scales a training tower during high-angle rope rescue training at Volk Field Combat Readiness Training Center, Wis., Aug. 26, 2026. The training was conducted as part of exercise Patriot 26, an Air National Guard-sponsored exercise designed to enhance domestic disaster response and interagency operations. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Brittany Conley) Rope rescue training
A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II conducts a nighttime mission within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Aug. 25, 2026. The fifth-generation multirole stealth fighter delivers advanced combat capabilities, enhancing air superiority and deterrence throughout the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Adriana Jordan-Alcañiz) Under the cover of darkness
A U.S. Air Force MC-130J Commando II assigned to the 352nd Special Operations Wing conducts low-level flight training over Iceland, Aug. 23, 2026, during exercise Northern Viking 26. The exercise demonstrates the wing's capability to rapidly deploy, integrate with NATO allies, and operate in dynamic Arctic environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Sutton) Fjord focus
Chief Master Seargeant of the Air Force David R. Wolfe loads a 105 mm high-explosive round aboard an AC-130J Ghostrider over the Eglin Range Complex, Fla., Sept. 2, 2026. Wolfe and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach observed live-fire operations during a capabilities demonstration highlighting the aircraft's close air support, air interdiction, and armed reconnaissance capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Isabel Tanner) Loaded for action
Airman 1st Class Adam Fernandez, Airman Levi Ruyle and Staff Sgt. Ethan Farmer, 673rd Security Forces Squadron defenders, ride all-terrain vehicles during Alaska Defense Sustainment Training at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Aug. 31, 2026. The 673rd SFS conducted training to build tactical off-road mobility and vehicle-handling capabilities across rugged terrain. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Frank Houseton) Off-road Defenders
An F-15EX Eagle II takes off from the Boeing production facility in St. Louis, Aug. 28, 2026. The F-15EX modernizes the permanent fighter force at Kadena Air Base, Japan, bolstering deterrence, combat readiness, and bilateral defense interoperability across the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melany Bermudez) Eagle rising
Airman 1st Class Xavier Zaragoza, a 23rd Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, operates a fire hose during live-fire training at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., Aug. 20, 2026. The training enhances structural fire response capabilities and ensures rapid readiness for emergency response teams across the installation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Bre Lewis) Water works
U.S. Air Force Maj. Michael Ann Glotfelter, 39th Medical Group clinical psychologist, reviews a cranial scan at Incirlik Air Base, Türkiye, Aug. 24, 2026. The imaging enables military medical clinicians to evaluate neurological structures and assess operational cognitive health. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Evelyn D’Errico) Inside the mind
A U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry approaches the boom of a KC-135 Stratotanker for midair refueling within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Aug. 26, 2026. In-flight refueling sustains continuous airborne early warning, battle management, and command-and-control coverage throughout the theater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Tiffany A. Emery) Extending the mission
A B-52H Stratofortress awaits mission taskings on the flightline during exercise Bayou Vigilance 26-3 at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Aug. 26, 2026. The recurring exercise tested the rapid generation and strategic deterrence capabilities of Air Force Global Strike Command long-range bomber forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Maxwell Cunningham) Bomber readiness
A U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron maneuvers across a sand landing zone during exercise Northern Viking 26 in Rømø, Denmark, Aug. 25, 2026. Repeated operations on unimproved surfaces build the aircrew proficiency needed to establish and sustain air mobility from dispersed locations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Edgar Grimaldo) Sandy landing
A U.S Air Force boom operator walks through the fuselage of a KC-135 Stratotanker at a base in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Aug. 25, 2026. Boom operators conduct aerial refueling operations that extend the range and endurance of aircraft supporting missions across the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Adriana Jordan-Alcañiz) Walk through
A B-2 Spirit, two F-35A Lightning IIs, two F-22 Raptors and four U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning IIs fly over the IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix in Washington, D.C., Aug. 22, 2026. The historic aerial demonstration over the National Mall celebrated the 250th anniversary of the United States while highlighting joint air dominance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joseph Garcia) Grand flyover
An Airman tests aviation fuel sampled from a C-5M Super Galaxy at José Aponte de la Torre Airport in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, Aug. 22, 2026. Deployed forces supporting Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere maintain agile logistics to counter illicit trafficking and bolster maritime security across the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Kevin Rivas) Fuel check
A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II receives fuel from a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Aug. 22, 2026. Aerial refueling operations extend fifth-generation fighter range and deliver persistent global strike readiness across the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Adriana Jordan-Alcaniz) Tanker time
Capt. Thomas Hilvers, 6th Combat Training Squadron Air Support Operations Center Initial Qualifications Course and Tactical Data Link Course lead, pushes a 135-pound weighted sled at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Aug. 18, 2026. The tactical physical conditioning session prepared combat Airmen for the high-intensity physiological demands of forward-deployed combat environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Annika Schermerhorn) Combat conditioning
U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 163rd Civil Engineer Squadron, California Air National Guard, renovate lodging facilities during a deployment for training at Seward Military Resort in Seward, Alaska, Aug. 12, 2026. The real-world construction effort allowed 39 engineers spanning seven career fields to enhance structural tradecraft for deployed expeditionary environments. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Joseph Pagan) Laying the groundwork
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach hosts Maj. Gen. Nikolay Rusev Bulgarian air force commander, at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C., Aug. 18, 2026. The visit was part of a weeklong counterpart visit to Air Force installations across the country to advance mutual interests and strengthen international partnerships. (U.S. Air Force photo by Chad Trujillo) Wings of unity
Airmen participate in water and survival parachute training at the 336th Training Group’s survival, evasion, resistance and escape schoolhouse at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., Aug. 24, 2026. The comprehensive curriculum equips aviators with vital recovery and survival skills necessary to endure emergency water landings. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Stephanie Orta Carranza) Sink or swim
A U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules aircraft assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron approaches an austere grass landing zone in Iceland, Aug. 23, 2026. Personnel from the 435th Contingency Response Group surveyed and marked the strip during exercise Northern Viking 26 to practice rapid combat power projection across the North Atlantic. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Edgar Grimaldo) Grass landing
Air Force One, flanked by F-35A Lightning II aircraft, performs a flyover near the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Aug. 23, 2026. The flyover was part of the Freedom 250 Grand Prix held along a portion of the National Mall. (U.S. Airforce photo by Andy Morataya) Wings over Washington
U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 147th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron perform postflight checks on an MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft at Keflavik Air Base, Iceland, Aug. 21, 2026. The aircraft, assigned to the Texas Air National Guard's 147th Attack Wing, deployed to Iceland to support allied interoperability during exercise Northern Viking 26. (U.S. Air Force photo by Air Force Senior Airman Edgar Grimaldo) Reaper ready
The 97th Air Mobility Wing command team participates in the 28th Annual Cattle Drive at Altus Air Force Base, Okla., Aug. 20, 2026. Hosted at the installation since 1999, the tradition honors the region’s ranching heritage and strengthens community relations in southwest Oklahoma. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kari Degraffenreed) Spurs and stripes
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Sullivan Cox, a 48th Component Maintenance Squadron aerospace propulsion journeyman, demonstrates jet engine testing for military families during a spouse immersion tour at RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom, Aug. 19, 2026. The tour provided families with a behind-the-scenes look at the squadron’s role in sustaining the 48th Fighter Wing’s mission readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Evan Manalastas) Jet blast
A U.S. Air Force aircraft metals technology specialist uses a plasma cutter to shape raw materials at an undisclosed location within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Aug. 14, 2026. Metals technology specialists use precision welding and machining to manufacture critical components, keeping regional combat aircraft mission ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Justin W. Moore) Sparking combat readiness

 


 

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