Planes over water — AIR FORCE PHOTOS

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Hiding in plain sight

Cadet First Class Vance Carew participates in small-unit tactics scenarios during Silver Weekend Training at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., Feb. 6, 2026. The training reinforced foundational military skills and cadet-led competencies, including simulated weapons handling, land navigation, Tactical Combat Casualty Care and mission planning. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley)

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Strike Eagle

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle from the 494th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron lands at an undisclosed location within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Jan. 18, 2026. The deployment of F-15s to the region enhances combat readiness and promotes security and stability. (Courtesy photo)

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Waiting for a ride

A U.S. Air Force 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron military working dog, Ssilke, waits on a U.S. Air Force HC-130J Combat King II assigned to the 26th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Feb. 4, 2026. The 332nd ESFS MWDs play a vital role in daily operations by identifying hazards and ensuring the safety of aircraft and personnel. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Travis Knauss)

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Clear for takeoff

Master Sgt. Jodie Sweeney, 114th Operations Support Squadron airfield management specialist from the South Dakota Air National Guard, removes foreign object debris from the flightline during exercise Sentry South 26-1 at Savannah Air National Guard Base, Ga., Jan. 28, 2026. Sentry South is a large-scale exercise that integrates fourth- and fifth-generation aircraft and personnel from across the joint force to enhance air superiority and combat readiness. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Taylor Solberg)

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Safe and secure

U.S. Airmen assigned to the 26th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron secure equipment inside an HC-130J Combat King II at an undisclosed location in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Jan. 22, 2026. The squadron provides personnel recovery and refueling capabilities around-the-clock throughout the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Travis Knauss)

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Flight prep

F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 49th Fighter Wing are prepared for flight at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., Jan. 29, 2026. The work of maintenance professionals is critical to integrating fourth- and fifth-generation fighters and sustaining combat-ready airpower. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Belinda Guachun-Chichay)

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Rescue ready

An HC-130J Combat King II assigned to the 211th Rescue Squadron, 176th Wing, Alaska Air National Guard, taxis after landing at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Jan. 22, 2026. The HC-130J is equipped with advanced avionics to locate isolated personnel from extended ranges and supports the insertion of rescue forces through low- and high-altitude airdrops. (Alaska National Guard photo by Alejandro Peña)

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Taking controls

Under Secretary of the Air Force Matt Lohmeier takes control of an HC-130J Combat King II aircraft simulator at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Jan. 21, 2026. The simulator demonstrated the base’s role in developing pilot proficiency and enhancing mission readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Samantha Melecio)

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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)

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Commanding view

Gen. Adrian Spain, commander of Air Combat Command, and Staff Sgt. Tory Steen, a loadmaster with the 418th Test and Evaluation Squadron, rest on the ramp of an HC-130J Combat King II overlooking an area near Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Jan. 10, 2026. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lauren Clevenger)

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Night flight

An F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 175th Fighter Squadron, South Dakota Air National Guard, takes off from Joe Foss Field, S.D., Dec. 16, 2025, during night flying operations. Night training prepares aircrews to operate in various visibility and weather conditions. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Luke Olson)

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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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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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Smoke cover

An Airman from the 23rd Combat Air Base Squadron walks through a smoke cloud during a simulated force-on-force approach during exercise Mosaic Tiger 26-1 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., Nov. 20, 2025. Operating in degraded visibility conditions prepares Airmen to fight through uncertainty in contested environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Sari Seibert)

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Aggressor Squadron

An F-16C Fighting Falcon assigned to the 64th Aggressor Squadron takes off for a mission in support of U.S. Air Force Weapons School Integration at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Nov. 18, 2025. Aggressor pilots are highly skilled in both U.S. and adversary tactics, providing realistic threat replication that enhances training for U.S. and allied forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by William R. Lewis)

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Head above water

An Airman participates in the 100-meter swim component of the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge competition at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Nov. 12, 2025. Earning the badge signifies participants have met German military standards in physical fitness, marksmanship and first aid, with qualification levels awarded in bronze, silver or gold. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jennifer Nesbitt)

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Ready to fly

A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft assigned to the 16th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron sits on the flight line in an undisclosed location before a cargo mission in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Nov. 6, 2025. The inherent flexibility and performance of the C-17 force improve the ability of the total airlift system to fulfill the worldwide air mobility requirements of the United States. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Bailee A. Darbasie)

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One giant leap

A U.S. Air Force pararescueman assigned to the 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron leaps from a U.S. Marine Corps KC-130J Hercules cargo aircraft during jump proficiency training over East Africa, Oct. 25, 2025. The training hones combat effectiveness and ensures the squadron remains ready to respond anywhere, anytime. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christian Silvera)

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Raptor launch

An F-22 Raptor assigned to Joint Base Langley-Eustis takes off during exercise Checkered Flag 26-1 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., Oct. 29, 2025. Checkered Flag and Weapons System Evaluation Program, two large-scale exercises running concurrently, brought together U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force, as the 122nd Fighter Wing validated its aircraft conversion by demonstrating full mission readiness and the ability to employ live munitions in joint combat training. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Halley Clark)

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Gathering samples

Airmen assigned to the 23rd Combat Air Base Squadron take soil samples during exercise Silver Flag at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., Nov. 13, 2025. This is part of the training for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear detection and evaluation to determine potential contamination to protect personnel in deployed environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Leonid Soubbotine)

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