Planes over water — AIR FORCE PHOTOS

Sort By

Category

Show Advanced Options

Clear Filters |

De-icing

Airmen from the 157th Maintenance Group and 64th Air Refueling Squadron de-ice a KC-46 Pegasus during cold weather operations at Pease Air National Guard Base, N.H., Jan. 6, 2026. De-icing fluid removes snow and ice from the aircraft's surfaces, a critical step to ensure safe flight during cold weather operations. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by 2nd Lt. Victoria Nelson)

Details Download

Red light ops

Staff Sgt. Joshua Lapooh, a tactical air control party specialist with the 124th Air Support Operations Squadron, documents targeting information during a night training exercise at Saylor Creek Range, Idaho, Jan. 9, 2026. The specialists directed A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots from the 190th Fighter Squadron through training gun runs to improve their proficiency in supporting ground forces in low-light conditions. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Mercedee Wilds)

Details Download

Historic moment

A T-7A Red Hawk is displayed during its arrival ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, Jan. 9, 2026. The 99th Flying Training Squadron is the first Air Force unit to receive the new aircraft, which replaces the T-38 Talon and modernizes pilot training for Air Education and Training Command. (U.S. Air Force photo by Zelideth Rodriguez)

Details Download

Gateway to the Air Force

Trainees from Flights 081-097 march in the 737th Training Group's graduation parade at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, Jan. 8, 2026. The ceremony marks their transition to Airmen upon completion of Air Force Basic Military Training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ismael Ortega)

Details Download

Supplying the Force

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 35th Fighter Wing coordinate cargo transport at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Jan. 7, 2025. The cargo will sustain future F-35A Lightning II fighter aircraft operations to enhance the 35th Fighter Wing’s readiness to employ fifth-generation airpower capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jessel Fabara)

Details Download

Return to training

U.S. Air Force Academy cadets walk up a library staircase during the first day of the spring semester at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., Jan. 7, 2026. The start of the semester marks the cadets' return to academic and military training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ray Bahner)

Details Download

Plasma cutter

Tech. Sgt. Cameron Gibbs, an aircraft metals technology specialist with the 121st Air Refueling Wing, practices plasma cutting at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, Ohio, Jan. 7, 2026. Gibbs fabricates metal parts essential for the operation of the wing's KC-135 Stratotankers. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman Samir Harris)

Details Download

Off-season practice

Maj. Melanie Kluesner, an F-35A Demonstration Team pilot, performs high-speed aerial maneuvers during a practice demonstration at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Jan. 6, 2026. The team practices during the off-season to maintain proficiency. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nicholas Rupiper)

Details Download

Fuel inspection

Tech. Sgt. Jairo Hernandez, 188th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels laboratory noncommissioned officer in charge, inspects jet fuel at Ebbing Air National Guard Base, Ark., Jan. 6, 2026. The inspection ensures fuel is free of contaminants and meets strict quality standards before being used in aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Patricia Teare)

Details Download

Tip of the spear

Airmen perform essential checks on an F-22 Raptor following military actions in Venezuela in support of Operation Absolute Resolve in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, Jan. 3, 2026. As part of the larger U.S. military operation that included airstrikes and the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, F-22s were temporarily deployed to support air operations and maintain air superiority in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Katelynn Jackson)

Details Download

Ready for action

C-17 Globemaster IIIs assigned to the 911th Airlift Wing are lined up on the flightline at the Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station, Pa., Jan. 2, 2026. The C-17 is capable of rapid strategic delivery of troops and cargo to main operating bases or directly to forward bases in the deployment area. (U.S. Air Force photo by James Fritz)

Details Download

Night flight

An F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 175th Fighter Squadron, South Dakota Air National Guard, takes off from Joe Foss Field, S.D., Dec. 16, 2025, during night flying operations. Night training prepares aircrews to operate in various visibility and weather conditions. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Luke Olson)

Details Download

Fire inspection

Justin Hanuschewicz, 341st Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, participates in threat-suppression training at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., Dec. 10, 2025. The three-day event covered initial response actions, post-incident care and hands-on application in realistic threat scenarios to strengthen multi-agency readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Teniya Caldwell)

Details Download

Weight training

Senior Airman David Orellana, 673rd Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle maintainer, lifts weights at Hangar 5 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Dec. 8, 2025. Hangar 5 received major renovations as part of a $5 million congressional facility overhaul allocation aimed at improving warfighter fitness, lethality and readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Hunter Hites)

Details Download

Air-to-air refueling

A 305th Rescue Squadron HH-60W Jolly Green II receives fuel during helicopter air-to-air refueling off the coast of California during exercise Steel Knight 25, Dec. 7, 2025. Steel Knight is a joint exercise that improves interoperability, boosts readiness, and enhances coordination across the battlespace. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Darius Sostre-Miroir)

Details Download

Cooking competition

Airman Kedaeja Myrie-Mills, McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., cubes sweet potatoes during the second annual Salute Hospitality Epicurean Faceoff held at the San Antonio Culinary Institute of America in San Antonio, Texas, Dec. 3, 2025. Teams from 11 installations had 100 minutes to prepare, cook and present their dishes as well as clean their kitchen spaces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Craig Z. Rodarte)

Details Download

Buddy lift

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 730th Air Mobility Squadron and the 22nd Airlift Squadron from Travis Air Force Base, Calif., load a UH-1N Huey into a C-5M Super Galaxy assigned to the 22nd AS at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Dec. 3, 2025. The UH-1N has supported Yokota AB operations since 1980, and its retirement aligns with the Air Force’s effort to modernize rotary-wing capabilities to meet today’s operational demands. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class David S. Calcote)

Details Download

Maintenance inspection

A B-1B Lancer assigned to the 28th Bomb Wing rests as maintenance inspections begin at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., Dec. 3, 2025. Critical to the Air Force’s mission, the B-1B is a pillar of air supremacy, serving as both a global precision strike asset and a symbol of American airpower. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Austin Mooneyham)

Details Download

Early bird

Hawaii Air National Guard Airmen conduct maintenance on a KC-135 Stratotanker at dawn prior to an aerial refueling mission at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Dec. 1, 2025. The 203rd Air Refueling Squadron provides critical aerial refueling capabilities in support of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command operations and global mobility missions worldwide. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Mysti Bicoy

Details Download

Rapid takeoff

An F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 56th Fighter Wing takes flight at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., Nov. 26, 2025. The F-35A's advanced capabilities provide pilots with unprecedented situational awareness, ensuring U.S. and partner-nation pilots maintain air superiority in any complex environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Belinda Guachun-Chichay)

Details Download