Planes over water — AIR FORCE PHOTOS

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Scanning the terrain

Senior Master Sgt. Justin Nettles, 908th Flying Training Wing special missions aviator, looks out of an MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopter after landing at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., April 22, 2025. Special missions aviators perform many roles, including visual terrain and obstacle clearance checks to ensure the landing zone is clear of hazards like trees, wires, uneven ground or personnel. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Erica Webster)

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Controlling the burn

U.S. Air Force Airman Acosta Penalo, left, and Keisuke Kawamura, 35th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department firefighters, spray a burning simulated aircraft during a controlled burn exercise at Misawa Air Base, Japan, April 21, 2025. Engaging directly with live-fire scenarios enhances the 35th Fighter Wing’s operational resilience by refining their emergency response capabilities, ensuring rapid containment of fire threats to protect mission-critical assets and personnel. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Hannah Bench)

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Hold the line

Airmen from Malmstrom Air Force Base respond to an ambush during exercise Nimble Auk, April 15, 2025, near Townsend, Mont. During the exercise, teams were sent out on simulated missions and were expected to respond accordingly to any threats or unexpected forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jack Rodriguez Escamilla)

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Ready to roll

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Tyler Brummer, 480th Fighter Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot, prepares for takeoff during exercise Turbo Weasel at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, April 14, 2025. The exercise sharpens warfighting capabilities through simulated high-density air combat, enabling aircrew to operate effectively in complex operational environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Demi M. Ebert)

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Locked and loaded

Airmen with the 921st Contingency Response Squadron practice firing a M-240 machine gun at Amedee Army Airfield, Herlong, Calif., April 14, 2025. Over 10 days, the 921st CRS participated in exercise Dragon Spark as part of a series of training exercises to qualify them on their deployment readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Cassidy Fisher)

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Not so fast

A U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II intercepts a Russian Tu-95 “Bear” strategic bomber over the Bering Sea, April 14, 2025. Multiple F-35s were launched to intercept and monitor Russian aircraft, which remained in international airspace roughly 250 nautical miles from Shemya Island in the western Aleutians. NORAD noted that while this type of Russian activity within the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone is routine and not viewed as a threat, it is continuously monitored to safeguard the security of North America. (U.S. Department of Defense photo)

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Combat Archer

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon flies through the sky during exercise Combat Archer United Kingdom at RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom, April 9, 2025. Combat Archer UK served as an evaluation exercise that demonstrated effective lethality by integrating the AGR-20 Falco laser-guided rocket to counter one-way drone attacks in a cost-effective manner. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Jakel)

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A cut above

Airman 1st Class Alavinia Dishmond, 341st Civil Engineer Squadron structural apprentice, cuts a piece of vinyl April 9, 2025, at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. Malmstrom AFB’s sign makers design and produce custom signs that support base operations, safety and communication. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Mary Bowers)

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Follow the leader

Gen. Kevin B. Schneider, Pacific Air Forces commander, pilots the lead F-22 Raptor during a mission off the coast of O‘ahu, Hawaii, April 8, 2025. PACAF provides ready and lethal forces to ensure stability and security in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Emerson Nuñez)

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Sharing the load

Airmen from the 921st Contingency Response Squadron establish a sling load connection with a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361 at Amedee Army Airfield in Herlong, Calif., April 7, 2025. The 921st CRS took part in Exercise Dragon Spark, a 10-day joint training event focused on enhancing rapid deployment capabilities, expeditionary logistics and interoperability between Air Force and Marine Corps units. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Cassidy Fisher)

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Convoy prep

A 90th Missile Wing Joint Light Tactical Vehicle and Payload Transporter are prepared to participate in a Nuclear Convoy Course at Camp Guernsey Joint Training Center, Wyo., April 2, 2025. During the course, Airmen from across 20th Air Force trained on counter-small unmanned aircraft systems, mounted operations, heavy weapons and helicopter integration to strengthen convoy defense. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Michael A. Richmond)

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ATAF 02 May 2025

In this week’s look Around the Air Force, the U.S. Air Force launches an initiative to equip every Airman with basic drone operational training, The ERASE program decreases service member’s risk of sudden cardiac arrest, and Air Mobility Command makes history with a commercial air refueling mission.

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ATAF 02 May 2025

In this week’s look Around the Air Force, the U.S. Air Force launches an initiative to equip every Airman with basic drone operational training, The ERASE program decreases service member’s risk of sudden cardiac arrest, and Air Mobility Command makes history with a commercial air refueling mission.

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DAF begins ground testing for collaborative combat aircraft

A YFQ-44A production representative test vehicle is staged in a testing chamber at Costa Mesa, Calif. The Department of the Air Force’s has begun ground testing for the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program to validate performance and readiness for future flight testing. (Courtesy photo)

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DAF begins ground testing for collaborative combat aircraft

A YFQ-44A production representative test vehicle is staged in a testing chamber at Costa Mesa, Calif. The YFQ-44A, developed by Anduril, is one of two production representative test vehicles which will be critical in securing air dominance for the Joint Force in future conflicts, leveraging autonomous capabilities and crewed-uncrewed teaming to defeat enemy threats in contested environments. (Courtesy photo)

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Let it burn

A plume of exhaust flames out of the back of a F-22 Raptor as it performs an aerial demonstration during Aviation Nation 2025 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., April 6, 2025. Aviation Nation is an airshow held at Nellis Air Force Base showcasing the pride, precision and capabilities of the U.S. Air Force through aerial demonstrations and static displays. The F-22 Raptor demonstrated its unmatched agility and air dominance as part of the Air Force’s efforts to inspire, recruit and connect with the public. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Lauren Cobin)

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Hands-on training

U.S. Air Force Airmen practice proper weapons handling during Warrior Airmen training at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, April 21, 2025. The training helps to strengthen the warrior ethos among participants, preparing them for high-stakes environments through disciplined, hands-on instruction. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Aden Brown)

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Celebratory splash

Lt. Col. Michael Arnold, 512th Contingency Response Squadron assistant director of operations, gets splashed with multiple sources of water by his family and friends at Dover Air Force Base, Del., April 5, 2025. Arnold just finished his final flight as a C-17A Globemaster III pilot. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. John Rossi)

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Friendly formation

South Korean and U.S. aircraft fly in formation near Gwangju Air Base, South Korea, April 18, 2025. The aircraft will participate in exercise Freedom Flag 25-1, a joint and bilateral military exercise between U.S. and South Korea air forces that fosters trust, understanding and interoperability between allied forces through challenging, realistic scenarios. (Courtesy photo)

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Security scan

A U.S. Airman assigned to the 435th Contingency Response Group scans the forest around the Silver Flag training area for possible enemies during exercise Agile Bison 25-1 at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, April 18, 2025. Quick reaction forces were positioned strategically throughout the exercise area, allowing for a layered and time-sensitive defense against evolving ground threats. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Edgar Grimaldo)

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