Planes over water — AIR FORCE PHOTOS

Sort By

Category

Show Advanced Options

Clear Filters |

Tucked in

Airmen assigned to the 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron attach engine covers to a C-17 Globemaster III during a post-flight inspection at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Jan. 21, 2026. These covers protect critical components by preventing foreign object debris, wildlife and other contaminants from entering the engines during ground operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Luke Hirsch)

Details Download

Refueling training

An HH-60G Pave Hawk from the 210th Rescue Squadron, Alaska Air National Guard, approaches a refueling drogue during training over Southcentral Alaska, Jan. 29, 2026. The HH-60G is the 176th Wing’s primary personnel recovery platform, capable of all-weather operations and employing a rescue hoist when landing is not possible. (Alaska Air National Guard photo by Alejandro Peña)

Details Download

Battling icy conditions

Master Sgt. Aaron Slupski, 121st Maintenance Group crew chief, prepares to marshal a KC-135 Stratotanker at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, Ohio, Jan. 28, 2026. Maintainers and civil engineers with the 121st Air Refueling Wing reestablished flight line operations after Winter Storm Fran brought over 10 inches of snow and single-digit temperatures to the area. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Ralph Branson)

Details Download

Snow removal

Airmen from the 436th Civil Engineer Squadron remove snow and ice from the flight line at Dover Air Force Base, Del., Jan. 26, 2026. The squadron conducted round-the-clock snow removal operations to prevent interruptions to the base's global airlift mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Mauricio Campino)

Details Download

Lightning strike

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Gabriel Nogalez, 379th Expeditionary Aerial Port Squadron air transportation specialist, helps load oxygen tanks onto a C-17 Globemaster III at an undisclosed location in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Jan. 25, 2026. The action was part of a U.S. Air Forces Central readiness exercise that tested dispersed operations and rapid deployment across the USCENTCOM area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Chris Thornbury)

Details Download

Familiarization flight

Col. Charles Redmond, 355th Wing deputy commander, prepares to take off in an OA-1K Skyraider II with a pilot from the 492nd Special Operations Wing at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Jan. 21, 2026. Redmond flew a familiarization flight to better understand the aircraft's mission and capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jasmyne Bridgers-Matos)

Details Download

Attention to detail

Brig. Gen. Lawrence Sullivan, 57th Wing commander, conducts a walk-around inspection of an F-16 Fighting Falcon before a mission at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Jan. 9, 2026. Sullivan observed flight operations and engaged with aircrew as part of routine leadership oversight. (U.S. Air Force photo by William R. Lewis)

Details Download

Under the dome

U.S. Air Force Command Chief Master Sgt. Shaun Campbell, 5th Air Force command chief, inspects the radar dome of an E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan. 13, 2026. Campbell met with Airmen and senior leaders during the visit to gain insight into the 18th Wing’s mission and operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman James Johnson)

Details Download

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)

Details Download

Guiding light

A crew chief guides an F-35A Lightning II after a large-scale strike against Venezuelan military targets in support of Operation Absolute Resolve in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, Jan. 3, 2026. The operation supports U.S. Southern Command objectives by maintaining regional security, enhancing deterrence and reinforcing U.S. commitments to counter transnational threats and safeguard the homeland. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Katelynn Jackson)

Details Download

Load ‘er up

U.S. Air Force Airmen load bombs onto F-15E Strike Eagles at a base in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in support of Operation Hawkeye Strike, Jan. 10, 2026. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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

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

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

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

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

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)

Details Download

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

Details Download

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)

Details Download