Planes over water — AIR FORCE PHOTOS

Sort By

Category

Show Advanced Options

Clear Filters |

REFORPAC 2025: International team conducts Air Force’s largest Pacific contingency-response exercise

A loadmaster assigned to the 153rd Airlift Wing, Wyoming Air National Guard, observes engine start procedures on a C-130H Hercules at the Wyoming Air National Guard Base in Cheyenne, Wyo., July 7, 2025. The unit is participating in Mobility Guardian 2025 and Resolute Force Pacific, both part of the Department of the Air Force’s month-long, Pacific-focused Department-Level Exercise series. The DLE integrates multiple major exercises—Mobility Guardian, REFORPAC, Resolute Space, Emerald Warrior and Bamboo Eagle 25-3—and includes allied and partner nation participation in component events with shared security interests. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Jon Alderman)

Details Download

250210-F-RI626-1520

Three F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft assigned to Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, fly alongside a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 22nd Air Refueling Wing, McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, over the Southeast Pacific Ocean during Exercise Bamboo Eagle 25-1, Feb. 10, 2025. Bamboo Eagle allows aircrews to train in combat representative scenarios, enhancing their ability to execute complex refueling operations in contested environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Monique Stober)

Details Download

250210-F-RI626-1518

An F-35 Lighting II fighter aircraft assigned to Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 22nd Air Refueling Wing over the Southeast Pacific Ocean during exercise Bamboo Eagle 25-1, Feb. 10, 2025. Bamboo Eagle allows aircrews to train in combat representative scenarios, enhancing their ability to execute complex refueling operations in contested environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Monique Stober)

Details Download

250210-F-RI626-1522

U.S. Air Force Capt. Abby Devarennes, 50th Air Refueling Squadron pilot, performs pre-flight checks on a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, prior to an air refueling mission at McClellan Airport in Sacramento California, during exercise Bamboo Eagle 25-1, Feb. 10, 2025. Bamboo Eagle provides the opportunity to test the coordination between air mobility and combat forces, ensuring sustained fighter operations and rapid power projection in contested environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Monique Stober)

Details Download

250626-A-RL060-2187

Maj. Gen. Warner Ross, Tennessee's Adjutant General, presents the Bulgarian Land Forces team the first-place trophy during the awards ceremony following the Best Warrior Competition, at the National Military University, June 23-26.

Details Download

250626-A-RL060-3203

Command Sgt. Maj. Dale Crockett, Tennessee's State Command Sergeant Major, Sgt. Maj. Heath Young, and Chief Master Sergeant Mike Johnson join the Tennessee National Guard team at the finish line of the Best Warrior Competition, in Veliko Tarnovo, June 26, 2025.

Details Download

250625-A-RL060-6814

The joint Tennessee National Guard team complete the marksmanship portion of the Bulgaria multinational Best Warrior Competition, hosted by the Bulgarian Armed Forces at the National Military University, June 23-26, 2025.

Details Download

Around the Air Force: Funding the Force, Optimizing Capabilities, Defending the Homeland

In this week’s look Around the Air Force, Department of the Air Force leaders testify before a Senate defense subcommittee on the 2026 fiscal year budget, prioritizing defending the homeland and bolstering defenses in the Indo-Pacific region.

Details Download

Flares out

F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 148th Fighter Wing deploy flares over Duluth, Minn., June 26, 2025. The flares simulate combat conditions and improve pilots’ skills in managing threats. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Addie Peterson)

Details Download

Noise assessment

An F-35A Lightning II from the 187th Fighter Wing conducts a low-level flight during a noise study at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., June 18, 2025. The assessment examined the effectiveness of pilot techniques such as optimized flight paths and minimizing noise exposure. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Benjamin Williams)

Details Download

Practice makes perfect

The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, fly in formation as they prepare for the Beale Air and Space Expo 2025 at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., June 5, 2025. Air shows provide an opportunity for the Air Force to showcase its mission, connect with the community and bolster recruiting efforts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Frederick A. Brown)

Details Download

Checkup with a smile

U.S. Air Force Capt. Madelyn McGuffey, a pediatrician assigned to the Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort, performs a medical examination on a Panamanian child during Continuing Promise 2025 in Colón, Panama, June 27, 2025. Continuing Promise is a 4th Fleet/U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command-led mission that fosters goodwill and strengthens partnerships with partner nations. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ethan McCubbins)

Details Download

Budget hearing

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin, Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink, and Space Force Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman listen to opening remarks during a budget hearing with the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., June 26, 2025. The hearing focused on the Department of the Air Force’s fiscal year 2026 budget request, addressing key priorities such as modernization efforts, space capabilities, force readiness, and long-term strategic competition. (U.S. Air Force photo by Eric Dietrich)

Details Download

Building a bond

Senior Airman Justin Collins, 99th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, directs MWD Marco during an obedience drill at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., June 26, 2025. The bond between handler and MWD is strengthened through shared discipline, trust and training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Michael Sanders)

Details Download

Ready to roll

U.S. Air Force Maj. Andrew Gallion, 510th Fighter Squadron pilot, prepares an F-16 Fighting Falcon for takeoff during exercise Anatolian Eagle 25 at the 3rd Main Jet Base in Konya, Türkiye, June 24, 2025. The exercise, conducted in a contested, multinational environment, strengthens interoperability with allies and partners while showcasing U.S. commitment to deterrence, collective defense and maintaining peace through strength. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Jakel)

Details Download

Under pressure

Airmen with the 910th Security Forces Squadron, Youngstown Air Reserve Station, Ohio, conduct downed driver training at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., June 20, 2025. The training simulated scenarios where a vehicle operator is incapacitated, requiring team members to react quickly to extract the driver, secure the vehicle and continue the mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Leonid Soubbotine)

Details Download

Fini-flight

Cindy Wilsbach, wife of Gen. Ken Wilsbach, commander of Air Combat Command, marshals him in following the completion of his final flight at Langley Air Force Base, Va., June 17, 2025. When Wilsbach received his pilot wings in 1986, he gave his wife half, to symbolize the journey they would embark on together. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Madeline Herzog)

Details Download

Load ‘er up!

Staff Sgt. Austin McCoy, 325th Maintenance Squadron weapons load crew chief, front, and Staff Sgt. Nicolas Duran, 325th MXS weapons standardization squadron lead crew member, load munitions on an F-35A Lightning II during a “hot” integrated combat turn at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., June 11, 2025. Hot ICTs involve rearming and refueling a running aircraft, reducing the time it takes for pilots to return to flight operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Amanda Alvarez)

Details Download

Firing line

Airmen assigned to 21st Air Task Force participate in live-fire training during Advanced Ready Training-Contingency Location at Fort Dix, N.J., June 11, 2025. The training prepares Airmen for contested environments, increasing their combat survivability and lethality and enhancing overall readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Daniel Asselta)

Details Download

Iron Chef

Senior Airman Jeff Medrano, 633rd Force Support Squadron culinary specialist, garnishes a dessert with a chocolate bar during the annual Iron Chef competition at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., June 6, 2025. Teams of service members were challenged to prepare a three-course meal using field rations and limited additional ingredients, testing their ingenuity, teamwork and field cooking skills under pressure. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Mikaela Smith)

Details Download