Planes over water — AIR FORCE PHOTOS

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Eyes downrange

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Kevin Martinez, a 569th U.S. Forces Police Squadron patrolman, scans the perimeter for targets through his weapon sight during a field training exercise at Kapaun Air Station, Germany, July 23, 2026. The exercise challenged defenders with competing demands that required effective communication and decision-making under pressure. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Paden Lancaster)

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Flying with flare

An F-22 Raptor assigned to the Air Force F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team performs during the Arctic Thunder Open House at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Aug. 8, 2026. The team performs precision aerial maneuvers at air shows and open houses worldwide to demonstrate the capabilities of the fifth-generation fighter aircraft. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Joseph Moon)

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Over the mountain

A C-17 Globemaster III assigned to the Air Force C-17 Demonstration Team at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, performs during the Arctic Thunder Open House at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Aug. 8, 2026. The C-17 provides rapid strategic delivery of personnel and cargo to main operating bases and forward locations. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Joseph Moon)

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Sky breaker

A KC-46A Pegasus, 141st Air Refueling Squadron, 108th Wing, New Jersey Air National Guard, flies over Wausau, Wis. Aug. 5, 2026. The mission offloaded 40,000 pounds of fuel, supporting operational readiness and integration between Air National Guard units. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Capt. Michael Hong)

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Sparks fly

Senior Airman Osvaldo Vargas, a 22nd Maintenance Squadron aircraft metals technology specialist, performs metal inert gas welding at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., July 30, 2026. The welding arc generates heat to melt and fuse metal while shielding gas protects the weld area from atmospheric contamination. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Matthew Nguyen)

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Viper demo

Maj. Taylor Hiester, F-16 Viper Demonstration Team commander and pilot, performs aerial maneuvers in an F-16C Fighting Falcon during AirVenture at Oshkosh, Wis., July 24, 2026. The F-16 is a multirole fighter capable of air-to-air and air-to-ground combat, and its dynamic demonstrations showcase the aircraft’s versatility across the United States and abroad. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Steven Cardo)

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SERE training

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Wyatt Pooler, a 100th Operations Support Squadron survival, evasion, resistance and escape specialist, boards a Caister lifeboat during joint SERE training at Caister-on-Sea, United Kingdom, July 23, 2026. The training, conducted with the Caister Lifeboat Volunteer Service, provided Airmen hands-on survival instruction rooted in generations of lifesaving expertise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Chloe Masey)

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Suppressive fire

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kane Dew, 569th U.S. Forces Police Squadron lead training instructor, fires an M240B machine gun at simulated hostile forces during a field training exercise at Kapaun Air Station, Germany, July 23, 2026. The exercise strengthened shoot-and-move techniques, communication, land navigation, mounted operations and combat-response skills to support evolving mission requirements. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Paden Lancaster)

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Trial by fire

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Andrew Gonzalez, Airman 1st Class Elias Villaseñor and Senior Airman Jacob Thompson, 100th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters, extinguish a fire during the 100th CES Fire Department Rookie Academy at RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom, July 22, 2026. The academy condenses four months of training into three weeks for new firefighters, providing consistent, high-quality instruction. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Aidan Martínez Rosiere)

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Close encounter

A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing prepares for aerial refueling over the North Sea July 20, 2026, during exercise Combat Archer U.K. The exercise provides British and U.S. units an opportunity to integrate during live-fire air-to-air training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cody J. A. Mott)

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Eagle on patrol

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle flies over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility July 15, 2026. The F-15E provides all-weather air-to-air and air-to-ground combat capabilities that support regional security and operational readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Tiffany A. Emery)

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Arctic jump

U.S. Army paratroopers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 11th Airborne Division, jump from a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III over Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, July 15, 2026, during exercise Arctic Predictable Iron 26. The five-day exercise included rapid-movement training and airdrop operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lauren Torres)

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260810-A-GL508-9000

Left to right: Scott Bessent, treasury secretary; Secretary of War Pete Hegseth; Sen. Darline Graham of South Carolina; and South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster pose for a photo following a ceremony to rename Joint Base Charleston, S.C., as Joint Base Lindsey Graham, Aug. 10, 2026.

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260810-A-GL508-9002

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth poses for a photo with service members at Joint Base Lindsey Graham, S.C., Aug. 10, 2026, after the base renaming ceremony.

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CMSAF Leadership Library

To help you build this critical advantage, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force David R. Wolfe introduces the CMSAF Leadership Library. (U.S. Air Force Graphic)

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One more for the 101st

Staff Sgt. Philip Slick performs pushups under pressure during the 101st Air Refueling Wing Security Forces Squadron Best Defender Competition in Bangor, Maine, July 27, 2026. The competition tested security forces Airmen's proficiency in land navigation, marksmanship, tactical fitness, doctrine knowledge and endurance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Andrew Sinclair)

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Raptors lead the way

U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors assigned to the 27th and 90th Expeditionary Fighter Squadrons taxi to the runway during readiness exercise Beverly Beach 26-1 at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 3, 2026. The exercise strengthens readiness to deter aggression and defend the shared interests of the United States and Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Nathaniel Jackson)

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Lightning show

Maj. Sean Laughlin, F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team commander, performs an aerial maneuver during the Arctic Lightning Air Show at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 2, 2026. The demonstration showcased the advanced capabilities of the F-35A Lightning II while highlighting the skill, precision and professionalism of Air Force personnel. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Colin Perkins)

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Fast load

Airman 1st Class Kaitlyn Hunter, assigned to the 421st Fighter Generation Squadron, and other Aircraft Armament Systems specialists assigned to the 388th Maintenance Group participate in a quarterly weapons-loading competition at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, July 24, 2026. The competition encourages Airmen to hone their skills while demonstrating the speed and precision required to safely load weapons onto F-35A Lightning II aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nicholas Rupiper)

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Welcome home

Recently deployed Airmen hug their families after returning to Bangor Air National Guard Base, Maine, July 27, 2026. The Airmen returned home following a routine deployment to an undisclosed location in Europe. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Andrew Sinclair)

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