Planes over water — AIR FORCE PHOTOS

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Buddy lift

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 730th Air Mobility Squadron and the 22nd Airlift Squadron from Travis Air Force Base, Calif., load a UH-1N Huey into a C-5M Super Galaxy assigned to the 22nd AS at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Dec. 3, 2025. The UH-1N has supported Yokota AB operations since 1980, and its retirement aligns with the Air Force’s effort to modernize rotary-wing capabilities to meet today’s operational demands. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class David S. Calcote)

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Maintenance inspection

A B-1B Lancer assigned to the 28th Bomb Wing rests as maintenance inspections begin at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., Dec. 3, 2025. Critical to the Air Force’s mission, the B-1B is a pillar of air supremacy, serving as both a global precision strike asset and a symbol of American airpower. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Austin Mooneyham)

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Early bird

Hawaii Air National Guard Airmen conduct maintenance on a KC-135 Stratotanker at dawn prior to an aerial refueling mission at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Dec. 1, 2025. The 203rd Air Refueling Squadron provides critical aerial refueling capabilities in support of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command operations and global mobility missions worldwide. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Mysti Bicoy

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Rapid takeoff

An F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 56th Fighter Wing takes flight at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., Nov. 26, 2025. The F-35A's advanced capabilities provide pilots with unprecedented situational awareness, ensuring U.S. and partner-nation pilots maintain air superiority in any complex environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Belinda Guachun-Chichay)

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Arctic training

Airmen carry equipment via sled during the Arctic Resiliency Training course at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Nov. 25, 2025. Dragging sleds helps Airmen efficiently move mission-critical supplies when vehicles cannot easily maneuver in deep snow or rough terrain. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Hunter Hites)

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CSAF tour

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach tours a 90th Missile Wing intercontinental ballistic missile launch facility near Albin, Wyo., Nov. 20, 2025. During the tour, Wilsbach met with the Airmen responsible for the operation, security and maintenance of the 90th Missile Wing’s ICBM mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Michael A. Richmond)

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Assumption of responsibility

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force David Wolfe is congratulated by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach during Wolfe’s assumption of responsibility ceremony on Joint Base Andrews, Md., Dec. 8, 2025. Wolfe succeeded CMSAF David Flosi as the 21st CMSAF. (U.S. Air Force photo by Eric Dietrich)

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New trainer

Lt. Col. Phillip Bourquin, 99th Flying Training Squadron director of operations, and Steve Schmidt, Boeing test pilot, prepare to disembark the T-7A Red Hawk after its historic arrival at Air Education Training Command at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, Dec. 5, 2025. The T-7A is the fleet’s newest training aircraft designed to train the next generation of pilots for 5th and 6th generation fighters. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Amy Winchell)

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Careful inspection

Senior Airman Devante Chandler, 374th Air Expeditionary Wing engines technician, performs a post-flight inspection on a C-130J Super Hercules upon its return from a practice airdrop mission during Operation Christmas Drop 2025 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Dec. 5, 2025. As a training event, OCD25 allows participants to practice dynamic delivery via airdrop in a dynamic environment of uncontrolled and non-surveyed drop zones; a critical capability unique to the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Truesdell)

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Mirror image

A KC-135 Stratotanker, 121st Air Refueling Wing, sits on the flightline at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Ohio, Dec. 4, 2025. The KC-135 is a vital aircraft for Air Mobility Command, providing core aerial refueling support to the U.S. Air Force and ensuring rapid global reach. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ralph Branson)

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Gassing up

The 39th Rescue Squadron conducted Helicopter Air-to-Air Refueling with HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter from the 305th Rescue Squadron during exercise Steel Knight 25 over California, Dec. 4, 2025. Exercise Steel Knight is a joint exercise that strengthens interoperability, refines combat readiness and enhances seamless coordination across the battle space. (Courtesy photo)

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Welcome to the team

Col. Brandon Shroyer, right, 60th Air Mobility Wing commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Laura Hoover, 60th AMW command chief, offer a salute to the Air Force‘s 100th KC-46A Pegasus to Travis Air Force Base, Calif., Dec. 2, 2025. The arrival ceremony marked a major milestone as Travis AFB accepted the Air Force’s 99th and 100th KC-46, further strengthening the installation’s air refueling mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Brian Collett)

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Under belly

An F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 40th Flight Test Squadron, flies over the Gulf of America, Nov. 25, 2025. F-16s assigned to the 40th FTS test new hardware and software systems to modernize the entire Air Force aircraft fleet, including testing weapons that will be used on fourth and fifth-generation aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Thomas Barley)

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Firestarter

Airman 1st Class David Hundrieser, a member of the 11th Air Force’s Arctic Resiliency Training cadre, demonstrates how to start a fire during the Arctic Resiliency Training course at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Nov. 25, 2025. Learning fire-making skills gives Airmen lifesaving tools for warmth, signaling and sustaining themselves in Arctic emergencies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Hunter Hites)

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Bomber escort

A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, La., takes off from Morón Air Base, Spain, as part of Bomber Task Force Europe 26-1 Nov. 19, 2025. BTF Europe signals the ability to project combat-credible airpower forward, while operating alongside multilateral allies, throughout Europe and the world. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Codie Trimble)

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Pull on 3

Airmen assigned to the 56th Civil Engineer Squadron work together to pull a Humvee in a timed event during the Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force readiness challenge, Nov. 20, 2025, at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. This test pushed Airmen to their physical limits while demanding synchronized teamwork to achieve a common goal. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Belinda Guachun-Chichay)

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Door gunner

Senior Airman Luke Spradling, 40th Helicopter Squadron flight engineer, conducts aerial gunnery training in Limestone Hills, Mont., Nov. 19, 2025. The live-fire training provided hands-on experience for the aircrew in place of their simulated virtual reality weapons training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Teniya Caldwell)

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Opposing force

Airmen assigned to the 822nd Base Defense Squadron perform opposing force drills during exercise Mosaic Tiger 26-1 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., Nov. 19, 2025. As a mobile and unpredictable adversary, the 822nd BDS forced participants to adjust plans and react to new challenges throughout the exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Leonid Soubbotine)

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RMP 1st Radar Install

The Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar is installed on a B-52 Stratofortress as part of the B-52 Radar Modernization Program. This modernized radar will enhance the bomber’s all-weather navigation and targeting capabilities, extending its operational effectiveness for years to come. (Courtesy photo)

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A B-52 Stratofortress arrives at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., after completing its ferry flight on Dec. 8, 2025, marking a significant step in the ongoing B-52 Radar Modernization Program. This upgrade, including the installation of a new AESA radar, enhances the bomber’s navigation and targeting capabilities, extending its service life through 2050 and beyond. (U.S. Air Force photo by James West)

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