Planes over water — AIR FORCE PHOTOS

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Afterburner test

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Ernesto Parra, 18th Component Maintenance Squadron test cell craftsman, inspects a F-15E Strike Eagle engine, the F100-PW-220, during a routine afterburner test at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 12, 2025. Airmen from the 18th CMS test aircraft engines in a specialized hangar to ensure all components function properly before use. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Nathaniel Jackson)

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Gathering samples

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Dayton Clayton, a fuels facility technician with the 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron, collects a liquid oxygen test sample from an oxygen cart at Kadena Air Base, Japan, July 28, 2025. The fog seen during the transfer is caused by the supercooled oxygen condensing moisture in the surrounding air. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Nathaniel Jackson)

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Super Squadron

U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 36th Fighter Squadron line up for final checks before takeoff at Osan Air Base, South Korea, July 24, 2025. Starting in summer 2024, the 36th FS became a super squadron of 31 F-16s, participating in a test to maximize combat effectiveness on the Korean Peninsula. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tylir Meyer)

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Round out

A U.S. Air Force F-15EX Eagle II, assigned to the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., lands at Kadena Air Base, Japan, July 16, 2025. The F-15EX plays a critical role in modern warfare, providing substantial additional capacity for long-range fires, sensors and electronic warfare in contested areas, complementing fifth-generation fighters. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Nathaniel Jackson)

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Eyes in the sky

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Greg Molloy, 31st Rescue Squadron pararescueman, looks out of an HH-60W Jolly Green II before a personnel recovery exercise with the 33rd RQS during exercise Cope Angel 25-1 off the coast of Okinawa, Japan, June 26, 2025. Cope Angel allows units to engage in training events with Japan Air Self-Defence Force counterparts to sharpen their readiness for real-world scenarios. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melany Bermudez)

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Immersion tour

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Christopher Saltares, 319th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron commander, briefs U.S. Air Force Gen. Kevin Schneider, Pacific Air Forces commander, during an immersion tour at Kadena Air Base, Japan, May 22, 2025. Schneider discussed Kadena AB’s joint force capabilities critical to upholding defense commitments in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Luis Emilio Rios Calderon)

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Emergency response

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Esther Crane, 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron aeromedical evacuation technician, searches through a medical kit during a routine readiness exercise at Kadena Air Base, Japan, May 8, 2025. Members of the 18th AES undergo extensive training to respond to various emergency medical scenarios, ensuring they are prepared to evacuate, treat and transport wounded military and civilian personnel at a moment’s notice. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melany Bermudez)

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Show of Force

U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps aircraft along with U.S. Army Patriot missile batteries line up on the runway for an elephant walk during a routine operational readiness exercise at Kadena Air Base, Japan, May 6, 2025. Kadena AB showcased an array of assets, demonstrating a portion of more than 100 aircraft operating from the Keystone of the Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Nadine Barclay)

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Tour with a view

A U.S. Air Force HH-60W Jolly Green II assigned to the 33rd Rescue Squadron takes off for an aerial tour at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 28, 2024. The tour was part of Lt. Gen. Stephen Jost, U.S. Forces, Japan, and Fifth Air Force commander’s visit to Kadena AB. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Arnet Shayne Tamayo)

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Extending the mission

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer assigned to the 37th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., approaches a 909th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker to conduct aerial refueling during a bomber task force mission over the South China Sea, May 31, 2024. Bomber missions contribute to joint force lethality and deter aggression in the Indo-Pacific by demonstrating the U.S. Air Force’s ability to operate anywhere in the world at any time. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tylir Meyer)

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Hawks in formation

U.S. Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawks assigned to the 33rd Rescue Squadron fly in formation over Kadena Air Base, Japan, April 16, 2024. The HH-60G has provided combat rescue, disaster relief, casualty evacuation and the ability to respond to anyone in need, whether it be in the jungle or sea, since 1990. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Catherine Daniel)

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Job well done!

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force David Flosi coins U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Lillie Jimenez Guzman, 353rd Special Operations Wing imagery analyst, during his visit to Kadena Air Base, Japan, April 6, 2024. While at Kadena, senior leaders discussed key base issues, observed 18th Wing Agile Combat Employment exercise Shogun Shield and recognized the outstanding performance of Kadena’s team. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Melany Bermudez)

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Fuel transfer

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron maintain a hose during a forward area refueling point demonstration on an F-35A Lightning II at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Feb. 14, 2024. FARP allows operators to transfer fuel from one aircraft to another, enabling fighter aircraft to land, refuel or re-arm before returning to air-battle operations rapidly in contested environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan R. Sifuentes)

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Handled with care

U.S Air Force Airmen with the 33rd Helicopter Maintenance Unit and 718th Aircraft Maintenance Unit offload an HH-60W Jolly Green II at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan. 26, 2024. The HH-60W is designed for mission critical operations including personnel recovery, humanitarian missions, civil search and rescue, disaster relief, medical evacuation and non-combatant evacuations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan R. Sifuentes)

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Free falling

A member of the U.S. Air Force’s 31st Rescue Squadron jumps out of an MC-130J Commando II assigned to the 353rd Special Operations Wing over Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 19, 2024. Pararescuemen are trained, equipped and postured to conduct full spectrum personnel recovery operations in both peacetime and combat environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tylir Meyer)

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Safety check

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Chase McAvaney, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear element team member, scans a room for hazardous elements during a joint CBRN training at Camp Kinser, Japan, May 17, 2023. The combined training demonstrates emergency management integration between the U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps and Army CBRN response units while also familiarizing each unit with the other’s techniques and procedures. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tylir Meyer)

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Joint elephant walk

U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy aircraft line up on the runway during an elephant walk at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Nov. 21, 2023. Kadena’s ability to rapidly project joint airpower is a vital function that supports the defense of Japan and ensures the stability and security of the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan R. Sifuentes)

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Extending the mission

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Blake Thomson, 909th Air Refueling Squadron boom operator, conducts aerial refueling over the East China Sea, Oct. 17, 2023. Aerial refueling capabilities extend airborne training time and combat radius, ensuring U.S. and allied nation aircraft are postured to maintain regional peace and stability within the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tylir Meyer)

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First MQ-9 arrives at Kadena in major relocation milestone

U.S. Air Force maintenance personnel assigned to the 319th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron push an MQ-9 Reaper into a hardened aircraft shelter after arrival at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 13, 2023. This was the first of several MQ-9s deploying to Kadena AB to strengthen regional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities in support of the U.S-Japan alliance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tylir Meyer)

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Leadership on the move

A U.S. Air Force C-40C prepares to taxi down the flightline at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Sept. 8, 2023. The C-40C is a military aircraft that provides safe, comfortable and reliable transportation for U.S. leaders to locations around the world. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Luis E. Rios Calderon)

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