A VC-25B Bridge assigned to the 89th Airlift Wing takes off in preparation for a Freedom 250 flyover from Joint Base Andrews, Md., July 4, 2026. The 2026 celebrations observed the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Julia Lebens)
CAMERA
NIKON Z 9
LENS
NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR
APERTURE
9
SHUTTERSPEED
1/1250
ISO
320
No camera details available.
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These images tell the story of a force forged in the pursuit of freedom. Across the decades captured here, Airmen have carried the nation's cause through open skies, into orbit, and across the digital frontier. Each frame is a glimpse of the dedication, courage, and skill that have defined the Department of the Air Force, from the propeller-driven pioneers of the Army Air Corps to the fifth-generation fighters and space capabilities of today. As America turns 250, this gallery honors the people and moments that have kept the promise of freedom flying.