Planes over water — AIR FORCE PHOTOS

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Controlled descent

Staff Sgt. Benjamin Noel, a fire protection specialist assigned to the 124th Civil Engineer Squadron, rappels down a cliff face during mountain rescue training at Shaw Mountain in Boise, Idaho, May 8, 2026. The training prepared firefighters to locate and safely recover simulated victims using rope rescue systems and mapped search techniques. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Sarah Welch)

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Wingman

Master Sgt. Austin Tyler, 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron superintendent of ground transportation, carries a fallen teammate during a simulated maneuver-under-fire exercise at the Warrior Gauntlet at Kadena Air Base, Japan, May 8, 2026. The event emphasized teamwork, resilience and combat readiness under pressure. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Francisco Huerta)

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Boom check

Master Sgt. Drew Rauch, 121st Maintenance Squadron hydraulics technician, performs a mechanical systems check on the boom of a KC-135 Stratotanker at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, Ohio, May 7, 2026. The inspection ensures the boom can safely extend, retract and maneuver during aerial refueling operations. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Taylor Warehime)

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Into the fire

Airmen assigned to the 60th Civil Engineer Squadron extinguish a simulated aircraft fire during live-fire training at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., May 6, 2026. The joint training event, held May 6-8, ensured firefighters maintained Federal Aviation Administration certification while strengthening partnerships between military and civilian emergency responders. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kenneth Abbate)

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Precision power

Maj. Sean Loughlin, F-35A Demonstration Team pilot, conducts aerial maneuvers during a practice demonstration at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, May 4, 2026. Practice demonstrations help maintain the precision flying skills required to execute airshows worldwide. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nicholas Rupiper)

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Mirror image

The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron “Thunderbirds” perform during the Great Texas Air Show at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, May 2, 2026. For more than seven decades, the Thunderbirds have inspired future Airmen through precision aerial demonstrations and community engagement. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Devyn Taylor)

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Tactical push

Airmen assigned to the 92nd Air Refueling Wing practice tactical movement and patrol formations during exercise Iron Ascent at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., April 30, 2026. The three-day exercise sharpened tactical proficiency and combat readiness through classroom instruction and field training scenarios. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Heather Ley)

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Strike launch

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle takes off from a base at an undisclosed location in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, April 28, 2026. The F-15E is an all-weather tactical fighter designed to gain and maintain air superiority while supporting combat operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Nathan Lipscomb)

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260520-F-JJ904-9914

Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman speaks during a House Armed Services Committee hearing on Capitol Hill, Washington D.C., May 20, 2026. Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach joined Satlzman during the hearing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Chad Trujillo)

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260520-F-JJ904-6913

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach, Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink and Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman speak during a House Armed Services Committee hearing on Capitol Hill, Washington D.C., May 20, 2026. (U.S. Air Force photo by Chad Trujillo)

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260520-F-JJ904-4334

Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink speaks during a House Armed Services Committee hearing on Capitol Hill, Washington D.C., May 20, 2026. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach and Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman joined Meink during the hearing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Chad Trujillo)

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260520-F-JJ904-1818

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach, Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink and Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman speak during a House Armed Services Committee hearing on Capitol Hill, Washington D.C., May 20, 2026. (U.S. Air Force photo by Chad Trujillo)

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KARMA formation

U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles assigned to the 494th Fighter Squadron fly in formation over the United Kingdom, May 7, 2026. Members of the 48th Equipment Maintenance Squadron painted the aircraft in a camouflage pattern to honor the legacy of Operation El Dorado Canyon and pay tribute to Capt. Fernando Ribas-Dominicci and Paul Lorence, who were lost during the mission in 1986. Their call sign, “KARMA 52”, was painted on the aircraft in tribute. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Dorian Javidi)

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Ordnance extraction

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Michael Foldes, 39th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal supply noncommissioned officer in charge, checks restraints around a simulated unexploded ordnance prior to ground extraction during Operation Deterrent Viking II at Baumholder Military Training Area, Germany, May 4, 2026. Hosted by Ramstein Air Base, Operation Deterrent Viking II reinforces safety and precision alongside NATO partners while enabling teams to share tactics, techniques and procedures. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kadielle Shaw)

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Earning miles

An Airman participates in the Norwegian Foot March held at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., May 2, 2026. Participants completed an 18.6-mile course while wearing a combat uniform and carrying a 25-pound rucksack within 4 hours and 30 minutes for men and 4 hours and 50 minutes for women. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Najzee Kuzu)

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Capture the flag

An F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., takes off during exercise Checkered Flag 26-2 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., May 4, 2026. Checkered Flag immerses aircrew in high-intensity scenarios designed to test mission execution while integrating multiple generations of aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Zeeshan Naeem)

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Heavy gunner

California Air National Guard Airmen assigned to March Air Reserve Base conduct heavy weapons qualification training with the M240B, M249 and M320 at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., May 2, 2026. Airmen conducted live-fire training under the supervision of Combat Arms Training and Maintenance personnel to maintain weapon proficiency and mission readiness. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Joseph Pagan)

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Taps

Airman 1st Class Christian Deleo, Eglin Honor Guard member, prepares to play Taps during the 57th Annual Explosive Ordnance Disposal Memorial at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., May 2, 2026. Names of recent fallen and past EOD technicians are added to the memorial wall and flags are presented to their families during the annual ceremony held at the Kauffman EOD Training Complex. (U.S. Air Force photo by Samuel King Jr.)

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A glimpse into the future

Defense Advanced Research Project Agency’s XRQ-73 hybrid-electric experimental aircraft takes off at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., April 30, 2026, as part of DARPA’s Series Hybrid Electric Propulsion Aircraft Demonstration program. The flight marked a step forward in demonstrating the military utility of hybrid-electric propulsion. (Courtesy photo)

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Toxic defender

An aircrew flight equipment specialist wears a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear mask during exercise Toxic Magnolia at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., April 27, 2026. The training reinforced standardized procedures that ensure aircrew can safely return to the fight following a CBRN threat. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Noah Noonan)

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