Planes over water — AIR FORCE PHOTOS

Sort By

Category

Show Advanced Options

Clear Filters |

Crew chiefs

Crew chiefs assigned to the 6th Maintenance Group insert a tail stand underneath a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., Dec. 13, 2022. Tail stands help balance the center of gravity for larger Air Force aircraft and prevent the backend of the aircraft from bending. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joshua Hastings)

Details Download

Lightning in formation

A U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, flies in formation with a KC-135 Stratotanker from Fairchild Air Force Base, Wa., after being refueled, Dec. 12, 2022. The KC-135 is the core of air refueling and is responsible for extending the Air Force’s global reach. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Stassney Davis)

Details Download

221208-Z-GR156-0476

A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II from the 65th Aggressor Squadron receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 203rd Air Refueling Squadron December 8, 2022, near the coast of Oahu, Hawaii. The training was held as part of exercise PACIFIC EDGE 23, held to enhance air-combat proficiencies through the integration of allied units and further the interoperability between the two countries’ aircraft. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. John Linzmeier)

Details Download

Fill ‘er up!

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 77th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron prepares to receive fuel from a KC-10 Extender assigned to the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron over an undisclosed location within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Dec. 2, 2022. The KC-10 is capable of day and night air refueling operations with multiple air assets supporting CENTCOM and Operation Inherent Resolve. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gerald R. Willis)

Details Download

Air-to-air refueling

An F-16 Fighting Falcon, assigned to the 64th Aggressor Squadron, conducts air-to-air refueling with a KC-135 Stratotanker during U.S. Air Force Weapons School Integration at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Nov. 28, 2022. The U.S. Air Force Weapons School trains tactical experts and leaders to control and exploit air, space and cyber on behalf of the joint force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Zachary Rufus)

Details Download

Falcon refuel

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon receives fuel from a KC-10 Extender over an undisclosed location within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Nov. 26, 2022. F-16s routinely conduct presence patrols within the CENTCOM area of responsibility to reassure allies and ensure regional security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gerald R. Willis)

Details Download

I see you

A U.S. Air Force F-22A Raptor assigned to the 3rd Wing, receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, over the Pacific Ocean, Nov. 23, 2022. The presence of U.S. military personnel and assets in Japan ensures regional stability and security beneficial to all nations in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Yosselin Campos)

Details Download

Keen Sword

U.S. Air Force F-22A Raptors assigned to the 3rd Wing, fly alongside a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, during exercise Keen Sword 23 over the Pacific Ocean, Nov. 15, 2022. Keen Sword is an example of the strength of the U.S.-Japan Alliance, which has been the foundation of peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region for almost 75 years. The relationships built and maintained during these training events are critical to the collective capability to respond to crises or contingencies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tylir Meyer)

Details Download

Over the desert

A U.S. Air Force KC-10 Extender assigned to the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, flies over an undisclosed location in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Nov. 10, 2022. The KC-10 delivers global aerial refueling capability to support joint and coalition aircraft, providing war-winning airpower throughout the CENTCOM area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gerald R. Willis)

Details Download

Falcon refuel

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon refuels from a KC-10 Extender over an undisclosed location in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Nov. 9, 2022. With assistance from the KC-10, F-16s can remain in the AOR for longer durations, maximizing their patrol time and helping to ensure regional stability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gerald R. Willis)

Details Download

Engine swap

Airmen assigned to the 660th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron swap an engine on a KC-10 Extender at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., Oct. 25, 2022. The 660th AMXS maintains, repairs and advances Travis AFB’s fleet of KC-10s. (U.S. Air Force photo by Nicholas Pilch)

Details Download

Fueling a Falcon

An F-16 Fighting Falcon moves into position to receive fuel from a 168th Air Refueling Wing KC-135 Stratotanker during exercise RED FLAG-Alaska 23-1 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Oct. 20, 2022. RF-A is a two-week advanced aerial combat training exercise which aims to offer realistic air-combat training for military pilots and other flight crew members from the United States and allied countries. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman David Phaff)

Details Download

Extending the mission

A U.S. Air Force F-15 Eagle assigned to the 335th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron conducts aerial refueling operations in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Oct 15, 2022. The 335 EFS delivers airpower and showcases U.S. commitment to deterrence and regional stability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Daniel Asselta)

Details Download

121022-F-BW403-1129

Senior Airman Austin Sondergard, 605th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, performs pre-flight checks on a KC-10 Extender at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. Oct. 10, 2022. Sondergard underwent brain surgery to remove an arteriovenous malformation, and later suffered losses to both memory, speech and motor skills due to a stroke. Now recovered, Sondergard returned to his duties as a crew chief and his hobby as an avid powerlifter. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Matt Porter)

Details Download

Fighting Falcons

U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 408th Fighter Squadron, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, conduct aerial refueling with a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 100th Air Refueling Wing, RAF Mildenhall Air Base, England during a training sortie Sept. 9, 2015, over The United Kingdom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jason Robertson/Released)

Details Download

Eagle flight

A U.S. Air Force F-15 Eagle assigned to Kadena Air Base, Japan, prepares to be refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., over the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex during exercise RED FLAG-Alaska, Oct. 14, 2022. RF-A provides integrated joint and multilateral training opportunities in the JPARC, an expansive co-located air and land range with significant potential for co-located air and sea ranges. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Julia Lebens)

Details Download

72-hour mission

A KC-135 Stratotanker refuels a B-52 Stratofortess, departing McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tenn., for a 72-hour endurance mission Oct. 6, 2022. For more than 72-hours, the KC-135 only landed to refuel, change crews, and service engine oil while keeping at least one engine running. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jenna A. Bond)

Details Download

Viper refuel

An F-16 Fighting Falcon with the Viper Demonstration Team at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., lines up with a KC-135 Stratotanker from Altus AFB, Okla., to receive fuel Sept. 29, 2022. An F-16 holds 450 gallons, or about 3,060 pounds of fuel. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kayla Christenson)

Details Download

A flash of Lightning

An F-35A Lightning II assigned to Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., prepares to be refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 161st Air Refueling Wing during a local sortie, Sept. 16, 2022. The 161st ARW operates out of Goldwater Air National Guard Base, conducting regular air refueling missions with their regional partners at Luke AFB. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. James A. Richardson Jr.)

Details Download

KC Air Show

The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron “the Thunderbirds” perform an aerial demonstration at the KC Air Show in Gardner, Kan., Sept. 2, 2022. The Thunderbirds are scheduled to perform nearly 70 shows this year across more than 30 show sites around the world. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew D. Sarver)

Details Download