Planes over water — AIR FORCE PHOTOS

Sort By

Category

Show Advanced Options

Clear Filters |

First mission

An MH-139A Grey Wolf with the 40th Helicopter Squadron conducts its first operational mission at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., Jan. 8, 2026. The mission marked the beginning of the replacement of the Vietnam-era UH-1N Huey and represented a key step in modernizing security for the nation’s land-based nuclear deterrent. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Teniya Caldwell)

Details Download

De-icing

Airmen from the 157th Maintenance Group and 64th Air Refueling Squadron de-ice a KC-46 Pegasus during cold weather operations at Pease Air National Guard Base, N.H., Jan. 6, 2026. De-icing fluid removes snow and ice from the aircraft's surfaces, a critical step to ensure safe flight during cold weather operations. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by 2nd Lt. Victoria Nelson)

Details Download

Red light ops

Staff Sgt. Joshua Lapooh, a tactical air control party specialist with the 124th Air Support Operations Squadron, documents targeting information during a night training exercise at Saylor Creek Range, Idaho, Jan. 9, 2026. The specialists directed A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots from the 190th Fighter Squadron through training gun runs to improve their proficiency in supporting ground forces in low-light conditions. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Mercedee Wilds)

Details Download

Historic moment

A T-7A Red Hawk is displayed during its arrival ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, Jan. 9, 2026. The 99th Flying Training Squadron is the first Air Force unit to receive the new aircraft, which replaces the T-38 Talon and modernizes pilot training for Air Education and Training Command. (U.S. Air Force photo by Zelideth Rodriguez)

Details Download

Gateway to the Air Force

Trainees from Flights 081-097 march in the 737th Training Group's graduation parade at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, Jan. 8, 2026. The ceremony marks their transition to Airmen upon completion of Air Force Basic Military Training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ismael Ortega)

Details Download

Supplying the Force

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 35th Fighter Wing coordinate cargo transport at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Jan. 7, 2025. The cargo will sustain future F-35A Lightning II fighter aircraft operations to enhance the 35th Fighter Wing’s readiness to employ fifth-generation airpower capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jessel Fabara)

Details Download

Return to training

U.S. Air Force Academy cadets walk up a library staircase during the first day of the spring semester at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., Jan. 7, 2026. The start of the semester marks the cadets' return to academic and military training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ray Bahner)

Details Download

Plasma cutter

Tech. Sgt. Cameron Gibbs, an aircraft metals technology specialist with the 121st Air Refueling Wing, practices plasma cutting at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, Ohio, Jan. 7, 2026. Gibbs fabricates metal parts essential for the operation of the wing's KC-135 Stratotankers. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman Samir Harris)

Details Download

Off-season practice

Maj. Melanie Kluesner, an F-35A Demonstration Team pilot, performs high-speed aerial maneuvers during a practice demonstration at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Jan. 6, 2026. The team practices during the off-season to maintain proficiency. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nicholas Rupiper)

Details Download

Fuel inspection

Tech. Sgt. Jairo Hernandez, 188th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels laboratory noncommissioned officer in charge, inspects jet fuel at Ebbing Air National Guard Base, Ark., Jan. 6, 2026. The inspection ensures fuel is free of contaminants and meets strict quality standards before being used in aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Patricia Teare)

Details Download

Tip of the spear

Airmen perform essential checks on an F-22 Raptor following military actions in Venezuela in support of Operation Absolute Resolve in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, Jan. 3, 2026. As part of the larger U.S. military operation that included airstrikes and the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, F-22s were temporarily deployed to support air operations and maintain air superiority in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Katelynn Jackson)

Details Download

Ready for action

C-17 Globemaster IIIs assigned to the 911th Airlift Wing are lined up on the flightline at the Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station, Pa., Jan. 2, 2026. The C-17 is capable of rapid strategic delivery of troops and cargo to main operating bases or directly to forward bases in the deployment area. (U.S. Air Force photo by James Fritz)

Details Download

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)

Details Download

Air Force announces updates to dress and appearance regulation

A U.S. Air Force Advanced Maintenance and Munitions Operations School student wears a WPNS duty identifier patch at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Oct. 22, 2024. The AMMOS prepares graduates to plan, execute and teach the deployment and sustainment of a wing aviation unit anywhere, anytime. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brianna Vetro)

Details Download

Pacific power

A U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon assigned to the 119th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, deployed to Kadena Air Base, Japan, flies over the Pacific Ocean, Dec. 18, 2025. Known as the Keystone of the Pacific, Kadena AB serves as a pivotal hub for Agile Combat Employment, enabling units to project combat power alongside U.S. allies and partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Arnet Tamayo)

Details Download

Attention to detail

A crew chief assigned to the 174th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron conducts a pre-mission inspection on a KC-135 Stratotanker at a base in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Dec. 19, 2025. The inspection ensures the aircraft is mission-ready to support aerial refueling operations critical to regional airpower and coalition missions. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Details Download

Tech. Sgt. Zackary George trains

Tech. Sgt. Zackary George trains at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., Oct. 28. George recently won first place in USA Power Lifting’s Masters 1 Division and fifth place in its Raw Open with a combined total lift of 1,407.6 pounds. George is a program manager for Kessel Run’s Patriot Excalibur. Kessel Run is part of the Department of the Air Force’s Program Executive Office for Command, Control, Communications and Battle Management. Kessel Run is a division that delivers resilient command and control and targeting software capabilities that provide warfighters with decision advantage. (Official Air Force Photo by Richard Blumenstein)

Details Download

Tech. Sgt. Zackary George trains

Tech. Sgt. Zackary George trains at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., Oct. 28. George recently won first place in USA Power Lifting’s Masters 1 Division and fifth place in its Raw Open with a combined total lift of 1,407.6 pounds. George is a program manager for Kessel Run’s Patriot Excalibur. Kessel Run is part of the Department of the Air Force’s Program Executive Office for Command, Control, Communications and Battle Management. Kessel Run is a division that delivers resilient command and control and targeting software capabilities that provide warfighters with decision advantage. (Official Air Force Photo by Richard Blumenstein)

Details Download

Tech. Sgt. Zackary George trains

Tech. Sgt. Zackary George works on Kessel Run projects at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., Oct. 21. Kessel Run is part of the Department of the Air Force’s Program Executive Office for Command, Control, Communications and Battle Management. Kessel Run is a division that delivers resilient command and control and targeting software capabilities that provide warfighters with decision advantage. George is a program manager for KR’s Patriot Excalibur. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Richard Blumenstein)

Details Download

Flying with flare

The U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team performs during the 2025 Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana Air Show, Sept. 21. This year’s show commemorated 250 years of America’s Navy, honoring its legacy, innovation, and enduring strength. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kaitlin Young)

Details Download