Planes over water — AIR FORCE PHOTOS

Sort By

Category

Show Advanced Options

Clear Filters |

Building the framework

Illinois Air National Guard, 126th Air Refueling Wing members, erect tents during an organization-wide training exercise at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., Aug. 2, 2025. The exercise was intended to familiarize wing members with deployment specific skillsets and ranged from radio etiquette to search and recovery. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Aaron Rodriguez)

Details Download

Showcasing excellence

Members of the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team conduct a drill movement during the rehearsal of the 75th Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Edinburgh, Scotland, July 31, 2025. The team performs more than 100 times a year at various events, such as national sporting events and international tattoos, showcasing the Air Force’s readiness and focusing on excellence. (U.S. Air Force photo by Hayden Hallman)

Details Download

UAS defense

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Nathan Sands, 52nd Security Forces Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of counter unmanned aircraft systems, prepares a drone during a joint UAS response exercise at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, July 29, 2025. Counter unmanned aircraft systems detect, identify, track and neutralize unauthorized drones to protect Air Force personnel, assets, and installations from aerial threats. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Maria Umanzor Guzman)

Details Download

Gathering samples

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Dayton Clayton, a fuels facility technician with the 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron, collects a liquid oxygen test sample from an oxygen cart at Kadena Air Base, Japan, July 28, 2025. The fog seen during the transfer is caused by the supercooled oxygen condensing moisture in the surrounding air. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Nathaniel Jackson)

Details Download

Arctic refueling

An F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 3rd Wing receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 452nd Air Mobility Wing, March Air Reserve Base, Calif., during Red Flag Alaska 25-3 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, July 25, 2025. The exercise enhances joint and coalition interoperability through large-force employment training in a simulated combat environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Eli A. Rose)

Details Download

Help is on the way!

A U.S. Air Force MC-130J Commando II assigned to the 353rd Special Operations Wing taxis at Clark Air Base, Philippines, July 26, 2025. The aircraft delivered life-saving supplies and personnel to support Philippine disaster relief efforts following severe storms and monsoon flooding, highlighting the U.S. commitment to regional partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brittany Russell)

Details Download

Bye-bye

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Donald Matts, 480th Fighter Generation Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of engines, embraces his loved ones before a redeployment departure at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, July 23, 2025. The 480th FGS deployed to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to demonstrate the United States’ commitment to peace through strength by partnering with allies, reinforcing deterrence and enhancing regional capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Demi M. Ebert)

Details Download

Zone defense

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) intercepts a Russian Tu-95 bomber over the Bering Sea, July 22, 2025. The intercept occurred after the Tu-95 entered the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone, a monitored airspace where foreign military aircraft are tracked to ensure national security and situational awareness. (U.S. Department of Defense photo)

Details Download

Birds of a feather

Capt. Nick Le Tourneau, F-22 Raptor Aerial Demonstration Team commander, performs an aerial maneuver during the Milwaukee Air and Water Show in Wisconsin, July 19, 2025, as a bird soars in the foreground. The demonstration highlights both the power of the aircraft and the skill of its pilots, reinforcing the Air Force’s role as a global leader in air superiority. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Lauren Cobin)

Details Download

Contamination collection

Airman 1st Class Prince Mabalia and Airman 1st Class Lydia Schubert, 355th Civil Engineer Squadron emergency management apprentices, collect a sample from a contamination spot during locate and survey training at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., July 16, 2025. The Airmen created a sight picture to cordon off the simulated hazard area before collecting the sample. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman William Finn V)

Details Download

Under cover

A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor assigned to the 199th Air Expeditionary Squadron rests under the cover of a hangar as the sun sets in Northern Territory, Australia, July 16, 2025, during Talisman Sabre 2025. Talisman Sabre is the largest bilateral military exercise between Australia and the United States advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific by strengthening relationships and interoperability among key allies and partners, while enhancing collective capabilities to respond to a wide array of potential security concerns. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Natalie Doan)

Details Download

Recon mission

A U.S. Air Force Airman assigned to the 2nd Air Support Operations Squadron conducts a patrol during a reconnaissance mission at a training area near Vilseck Army Base, Germany, July 15, 2025. By navigating complex terrain, 2nd ASOS Airmen validated their readiness to support dispersed maneuver units across Europe. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Dylan Myers)

Details Download

Hose deployment

Staff Sgt. Hunter Allison and Senior Airman Andrew Wright, 23rd Logistics Readiness Squadron hose deployment personnel, drag a hose into position for a Distributed Integrated Combat Turn exercise at Westover Air Reserve Base, Mass., July 24, 2025. The D-ICT provided simultaneous rearming and refueling of multiple fighter jets in under 90 minutes. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Timothy Koster)

Details Download

Leading the way

U.S. Air Force Col. Joseph Miranda, 31st Operations Group commander, flies an F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 510th Fighter Generation Squadron in the skies above Italy, July 18, 2025. The 31st OG prepares fighter pilots, controllers and support personnel to execute U.S. and NATO contingency operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Jakel)

Details Download

Around the Air Force: Deployment to Employment, Milestone for the Sentinel, Sleeker Skies

In this week's look around the Air Force, Air Mobility Command shows how to project and sustain combat power as part of the Department Level Exercise series, modernizing the nation's land based nuclear deterrent reaches a critical milestone, and drag reduction devices called Finlets undergo flight testing to enhance fuel efficiency.

Details Download

Official Portrait

This is the official portrait of Michael W. Smiley.

Details Download

Official Portrait

This is the official portrait of Brig. Gen. Chad R. W. Biehl.

Details Download

SecAF visits Yokota AB

Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink speaks with Airmen from the 374th Communications Squadron about their efforts in aiding the 374th Airlift Wing’s Logistics Quick Reaction Force during his visit to Yokota Air Base, Japan, July 30, 2025. A Log QRF is a homegrown initiative enabling Yokota Airmen to perform agile airbase opening tasks usually consisting of aircrew, security, communications, command post and aerial port. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jacob Wood)

Details Download

Meink wraps Indo-Pacific visit, emphasizes alliances and integrated readiness

Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink stands with Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani after an engagement in Tokyo, Japan, July 31, 2025. During his bilateral meeting, Meink emphasized the importance of deepening defense ties and advancing multilateral coordination across the Indo-Pacific. Discussions included enhancing joint interoperability, regional deterrence and shared efforts to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific. (Courtesy photo)

Details Download

Meink wraps Indo-Pacific visit, emphasizes alliances and integrated readiness

Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink visits the Manila American Cemetery in Manila, Philippines, July 29, 2025. Meink traveled to the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility to reinforce international partnerships and meet with Airmen and Guardians in the region. (Courtesy photo)

Details Download