Planes over water — AIR FORCE PHOTOS

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251208-F-DD357-1441

A U.S. Airman loads luggage onto an HC-130J Combat King II to prepare for a deployment at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, Dec. 8, 2025. U.S. military forces are deployed to the Caribbean in support of Operation Southern Spear, the U.S. Southern Command mission, Department of War-directed operations and the president’s priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking and protect the homeland. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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251214-F-UX118-2012

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Nicholas Jackson, 332nd Expeditionary Air Base Group senior enlisted leader, right, and Airman 1st Class Samuel Ilet, 332nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels distribution operator, walk away as a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter takes off in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Dec. 14, 2025. Jackson and Ilet refueled the UH-60 with an R-20 expeditionary refueling system for the first time at the deployed location. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jonah Bliss)

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Aerial pit-stop

An F-15 Eagle with the 159th Fighter Wing receives mid-flight refueling from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 128th Air Refueling Wing during Sentry Aloha off the coast of Honolulu, Hawaii, Jan. 15, 2026. The exercise provides cost-effective and realistic, large-scale training scenarios to prepare warfighters and support the Air National Guard’s role as a crucial component of the nation’s operational force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Lauren Kmiec)

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Sentry Aloha

An F-22 Raptor with the Hawaii Air National Guard 154th Wing retreats after mid-flight refueling from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 128th Air Refueling wing during Sentry Aloha off the coast of Honolulu, Hawaii, Jan. 14, 2026. The exercise provides cost-effective and realistic, large-scale training scenarios to prepare warfighters and support the Air National Guard’s role as a crucial component of the nation’s operational force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Amelia Buell)

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Honoring Ol’ Glory

Honor Guard members with the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing fold an American flag during a flag retirement ceremony in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Jan. 9, 2025. During the ceremony, Airmen respectfully folded the flag, placed it on a ceremonial fire and later buried the ashes, a tradition symbolizing honor, service and the enduring values the flag represents. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Paige Weldon)

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Pre-flight inspection

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Krisher, 74th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron boom operator, inspects a KC-135 Stratotanker before a mission in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Jan. 7, 2026. The squadron operates the KC-135 to deliver in-flight refueling, enabling extended range and endurance for aircraft involved in joint missions across the CENTCOM AOR. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Travis Knauss)

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Structural maintenance

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Pokojski, 61st Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aircraft structural maintenance technician, shapes a replacement panel for a C-130J Super Hercules in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Jan. 5, 2026. These technicians ensure an aircraft remains structurally sound by repairing, fabricating and installing parts onto an aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tylin Rust)

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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)

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Joint inspection

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 31st Civil Engineer Squadron along with members of the Slovenian armed forces, perform an inspection on the barrier arresting system at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Jan. 9, 2026. The system is designed to stop an aircraft by catching it with a cable during an emergency landing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Stephan Bang)

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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)

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Dashing through the snow

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon with the 35th Fighter Wing takes off during Beverly Sunrise 26-02 at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Jan. 14, 2026. Operating in winter enhances the unit’s cold-weather proficiency, enabling the 35th FW to maintain a persistent and reliable presence regardless of climate. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Patrick Boyle)

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Upside down

Tech. Sgt. Abigail Edwards, a search and extraction medic with the 121st Air Refueling Wing, is suspended during a rope confidence exercise at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Columbus, Ohio, Jan. 10, 2026. The training builds the skills and confidence needed to extract injured personnel from difficult locations. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman Samir Harris)

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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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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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