Planes over water — AIR FORCE PHOTOS

Sort By

Category

Show Advanced Options

Clear Filters |

Leading from the line

Col. Mark Hamilton, 1st Special Operations Wing commander, fires an M4 carbine during combat arms training and maintenance qualification at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Jan. 9, 2026. Senior leaders train alongside Airmen to reinforce core skills and readiness required to sustain the wing’s mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Isabel Tanner)

Details Download

Attention to detail

Brig. Gen. Lawrence Sullivan, 57th Wing commander, conducts a walk-around inspection of an F-16 Fighting Falcon before a mission at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Jan. 9, 2026. Sullivan observed flight operations and engaged with aircrew as part of routine leadership oversight. (U.S. Air Force photo by William R. Lewis)

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

First mission

An MH-139A Grey Wolf with the 40th Helicopter Squadron conducts its first operational mission at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., Jan. 8, 2026. The mission marked the beginning of the replacement of the Vietnam-era UH-1N Huey and represented a key step in modernizing security for the nation’s land-based nuclear deterrent. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Teniya Caldwell)

Details Download

Release the Kraken

A C-17 Globemaster III assigned to the 62nd Airlift Wing takes off during exercise Kraken Reach 2026 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., Jan. 8, 2026. The exercise focused on rapidly generating and launching multiple C-17 aircraft to test airlift readiness and response capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Colleen Anthony)

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

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

Pre-flight inspection

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Krisher, 74th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron boom operator, inspects a KC-135 Stratotanker before a mission in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Jan. 7, 2026. The squadron operates the KC-135 to deliver in-flight refueling, enabling extended range and endurance for aircraft involved in joint missions across the CENTCOM AOR. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Travis Knauss)

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

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

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

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

Structural maintenance

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Pokojski, 61st Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aircraft structural maintenance technician, shapes a replacement panel for a C-130J Super Hercules in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Jan. 5, 2026. These technicians ensure an aircraft remains structurally sound by repairing, fabricating and installing parts onto an aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tylin Rust)

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

Guiding light

A crew chief guides an F-35A Lightning II after a large-scale strike against Venezuelan military targets in support of Operation Absolute Resolve in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, Jan. 3, 2026. The operation supports U.S. Southern Command objectives by maintaining regional security, enhancing deterrence and reinforcing U.S. commitments to counter transnational threats and safeguard the homeland. (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

251222-F-AF000-1587

The U.S. Air Force announced, Dec. 22, 2025, the designation of YFQ-48A – seen here in an undated photo – as the Mission Design Series for Northrop Grumman’s Project Talon, a semi-autonomous prototype aircraft. This designation marks a key step forward in the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program. (U.S. Air Force photo courtesy of Northrop Grumman)

Details Download

251220-D-D0477-7542

U.S. A-10 Thunderbolt IIs prepare to taxi in support of Operation Hawkeye Strike at base in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Dec. 19, 2025. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Details Download

CENTCOM Launches Operation Hawkeye Strike Against ISIS in Syria

A U.S. Airman prepares an A-10 Thunderbolt II for flight from a base in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Dec. 19, in support of Operation Hawkeye Strike. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Details Download

Attention to detail

A crew chief assigned to the 174th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron conducts a pre-mission inspection on a KC-135 Stratotanker at a base in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Dec. 19, 2025. The inspection ensures the aircraft is mission-ready to support aerial refueling operations critical to regional airpower and coalition missions. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Details Download