Broken

An explosion ripped an F-16 Fighting Falcon into two pieces and scattered debris across the Eglin range Aug. 19. The explosion was a test of the flight termination system to be used in the QF-16. The purpose was to demonstrate that the FTS design will be sufficient to immediately terminate the flight of a QF-16, as well as determine a range safety debris footprint. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Wingspan

An F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 40th Flight Test Squadron awaits its fiery fate Aug. 19 on the Eglin Air Force Base range. The aircraft was exploded as part of a test of the flight termination system to be used in the QF-16. The purpose was to demonstrate that the FTS design will be sufficient to immediately terminate the flight of a QF-16, as well as determine a range safety debris footprint. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Ready for action

An F-15E Strike Eagle from the 391st Fighter Squadron flies loaded up with a GBU-12 and a GBU-28 during a Combat Hammer mission at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. Combat Hammer is an air-to-ground Weapons System Evaluation Program maintained by the 86th Fighter Weapons Squadron. Combat Hammer marked the first of three weeks of evaluation at Hill AFB by the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group. Combat Archer, an air-to-air evaluation, is the second week, followed by a combined air and ground WSEP in the final week. The WSEP program is used to evaluate the effectiveness and suitability of combat air force weapon systems. The evaluations are accomplished during tactical deliveries of fighter, bomber and unmanned aerial system precision guided munitions, on realistic targets with air-to-air and surface-to-air defenses. For many of the aircrew participating in WSEP, it is the first time employing live weapons. This provides a level of combat experience many units face during combat. (Courtesy photo.)

BUFF bank

A B-52 Stratofortress from the 2nd Bomb Wing banks right during a Combat Hammer mission at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. Combat Hammer is an air-to-ground Weapons System Evaluation Program maintained by the 86th Fighter Weapons Squadron. Combat Hammer marked the first of three weeks of evaluation at Hill AFB by the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group. Combat Archer, an air-to-air evaluation, is the second week, followed by a combined air and ground WSEP in the final week. The WSEP program is used to evaluate the effectiveness and suitability of combat air force weapon systems. The evaluations are accomplished during tactical deliveries of fighter, bomber and unmanned aerial system precision guided munitions, on realistic targets with air-to-air and surface-to-air defenses. For many of the aircrew participating in WSEP, it is the first time employing live weapons. This provides a level of combat experience many units face during combat. (Courtesy photo.)

Utah take-off

An F-15E Strike Eagle from the 391st Fighter Squadron lifts off for a Combat Hammer mission at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. Combat Hammer is an air-to-ground Weapons System Evaluation Program maintained by the 86th Fighter Weapons Squadron. Combat Hammer marked the first of three weeks of evaluation at Hill AFB by the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group. Combat Archer, an air-to-air evaluation, is the second week, followed by a combined air and ground WSEP in the final week. The WSEP program is used to evaluate the effectiveness and suitability of combat air force weapon systems. The evaluations are accomplished during tactical deliveries of fighter, bomber and unmanned aerial system precision guided munitions, on realistic targets with air-to-air and surface-to-air defenses. For many of the aircrew participating in WSEP, it is the first time employing live weapons. This provides a level of combat experience many units face during combat. (Courtesy photo.)

Release

An F-15E Strike Eagle from the 391st Fighter Squadron drops a Guided Bomb Unit-28 during a Combat Hammer mission at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. Combat Hammer is an Air-to-Ground Weapons System Evaluation Program maintained by the 86th Fighter Weapons Squadron. Combat Hammer marked the first of three weeks of evaluation at Hill AFB by the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group. Combat Archer, an air-to-air evaluation, is the second week, followed by a combined air and ground WSEP in the final week. The WSEP program is used to evaluate the effectiveness and suitability of combat air force weapon systems. The evaluations are accomplished during tactical deliveries of fighter, bomber and unmanned aerial system precision guided munitions, on realistic targets with air-to-air and surface-to-air defenses. For many of the aircrew participating in WSEP, it is the first time employing live weapons. This provides a level of combat experience many units face during combat. (Courtesy photo.)

Cloaked in frost

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- An MV-22B Osprey from Pax River, Md., is undergoing a variety tests at McKinley Climatic Lab. The tests conducted check out the heating and cooling capabilities of the environmental control system in the aircraft cabin. Anticipated temperature ranges are from 125 to -65 degrees Fahrenheit over the two-week period. (USAF photo/Staff Sgt. Stacia Zachary)

Cloaked in frost

EGLIN AFB, Fla. -- An MV-22B Osprey from Pax River, Md., is undergoing a variety tests at McKinley Climatic Lab. The tests conducted check out the heating and cooling capabilities of the environmental control system in the aircraft cabin. The ECS is powered by the auxillary power unit. The first set of tests were conducted at high temperatures while being exposed to solar radiation inside the lab. The ECS was tested to see if the it could cool the cabin after the aircraft had been exposed to temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit. After the hot portion of the test was complete, the MV-22 Osprey was exposed to cold temperatures. The aircraft was soaked in temperatures dipping below zero. The ECS was also tested to see if it could heat the cabin. Anticipated temperature ranges are from 125 to -65 degrees Fahrenheit over the two-week period. ((USAF photo/Staff Sgt. Stacia Zachary)

Talon TDY

Combat Talons from the 919th Special Operations Wing occupy space on the Eglin Air Force Base flightline while the runway at Duke Field is under construction. The runway is scheduled to be completed in December. (U.S. Air Force photo/2nd Lt. Andrew Caulk.)

plane sign

Lt. Col. John Wilbourne, 58th Fighter Squadron commander, autographs the first F-35 that will arrive at Eglin. The squadron, which falls under the 33rd Fighter Wing, were in Fort Worth training in the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics simulators and visiting the production line to sign the actual plane they will be first to fly. (Courtesy Photo).

Cold soak

A Boeing 787 Dreamliner “soaks” in -45 degree temperatures inside the McKinley Climatic Lab April 21 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The new aircraft is being tested in extreme heat and cold for two weeks prior to its release at the end of year. The Climatic Lab, which began testing in 1947, is the largest climate testing facility in the world. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Cold soak

A Boeing 787 Dreamliner “soaks” in -45 degree temperatures inside the McKinley Climatic Lab April 22 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The new aircraft is being tested in extreme heat and cold for two weeks prior to its release at the end of year. The Climatic Lab, which began testing in 1947, is the largest climate testing facility in the world. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)