Eglin testing highlighted in Air Force Year in Photos

Feeling the heat

A T-7A Red Hawk sits under bright lights used to create heat in the McKinley Climatic Lab at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., June 16, 2025. The Air Force’s newest training aircraft experienced temperature extremes from 110 to minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit as well as heavy humidity during the month of testing to evaluate how the aircraft, its instrumentation and electronics fare under the extreme conditions it will face in the operational Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Matt Veasley)

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Beyond the smoke

Senior Airman Robbie Ellington, 96th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, uses a C-THRU navigator on his helmet to see in a smoke-filled room May 6, 2025, at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Eglin AFB firefighters were one of only two Defense Department units to test the equipment for a Homeland Security assessment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Samuel King Jr.)

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A closer look

Senior Airman Samuel Griego and Airman 1st Class Tavi Carter-Smith, 509th Maintenance Squadron aerospace propulsion journeymen, inspect an exhaust tube in a test cell at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., Aug. 20, 2025. U.S. Air Force aerospace propulsion specialists test aircraft engines and diagnose problems, including the fuel, oil, electrical and engine airflow systems. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joshua Hastings)

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Banking hours

An F-35A Lightning II assigned to the F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team performs during the Great Tennessee Air Show in Smyrna, Tenn., June 6, 2025. The team highlights the fighter’s cutting-edge maneuverability and advanced avionics, representing the Air Force’s newest fifth-generation aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Zachary Rufus)

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HALO jump

U.S. Air Force pararescuemen assigned to the 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron conduct high-altitude, low-open parachute jumps from a C-130 Hercules near Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 13, 2025. The technique minimizes risk to supplies, equipment or personnel as they are airdropped from high altitudes over enemy airspace. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jana Somero)

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Helocasting

Alaska Air National Guard HH-60G Pave Hawk aviators and Guardian Angels, assigned to the 210th and 212th Rescue Squadrons, conduct helocast training during a skills demonstration at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, May 30, 2025. Helocasting involves inserting rescue personnel from a hovering helicopter into water to reach survivors in hard-to-access environments. (Alaska National Guard photo by Alejandro Peña)

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Learning through augmented reality

Airman 1st Class Cleshawn Jean-Pierre, 11th Security Forces Squadron installation patroller, operates an augmented reality device at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Sept. 16, 2025. The training combined virtual and augmented reality tools with scenario-based learning, emphasizing hands-on training for combat support Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Zeeshan Naeem)

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Flying with flare

The U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team performs during the 2025 Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana Air Show, Sept. 21. This year’s show commemorated 250 years of America’s Navy, honoring its legacy, innovation and enduring strength. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kaitlin Young)

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Showcasing excellence

Members of the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team conduct a drill movement during the rehearsal of the 75th Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Edinburgh, Scotland, July 31, 2025. The team performs more than 100 times a year at various events, such as national sporting events and international tattoos, showcasing the Air Force’s readiness and focusing on excellence. (U.S. Air Force photo by Hayden Hallman)

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Afterburner

A B-1B Lancer assigned to the 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., takes off during a training mission in support of Bomber Task Force 25-1 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Feb. 24, 2025. Bomber missions provide opportunities to train and work with U.S. allies and partners in joint and coalition operations and exercises. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Robert M. Trujillo)

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Load ‘er up!

An all-terrain vehicle is loaded onto a C-5M Super Galaxy assigned to the 337th Airlift Squadron, Westover Air Reserve Base, Mass., during exercise Resolute Force Pacific 2025 on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, July 13, 2025. The exercise is designed to deliver Air Force capabilities to the Indo-Pacific region at speed and scale, then demonstrate the ability to command and control Agile Combat Employment operations across more than six time zones. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Owen Davies)

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Hose deployment

Staff Sgt. Hunter Allison and Senior Airman Andrew Wright, 23rd Logistics Readiness Squadron hose deployment personnel, drag a hose into position for a Distributed Integrated Combat Turn exercise at Westover Air Reserve Base, Mass., July 24, 2025. The D-ICT provided simultaneous rearming and refueling of multiple fighter jets in under 90 minutes. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Timothy Koster)

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Friendship Festival

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 35th Fighter Squadron is parked on the flightline as fireworks light up the night during the Japanese-American Friendship Festival 2025 at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 18, 2025. The two-day event welcomed tens of thousands of visitors and provided an opportunity to celebrate and deepen the U.S.-Japan alliance through aircraft displays, cultural exchanges and live entertainment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Osakabe)

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Graduation day

The U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 2025 graduates toss their hats skyward at Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo., May 29, 2025. Nine hundred nine cadets received their commissions as second lieutenants in the Air Force and Space Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith)

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Apache onload

A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III prepares to load a U.S. Army AH-64 Apache helicopter within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Feb. 6, 2025. The C-17 transported several AH-64s tasked to support Operation Inherent Resolve. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Sarah Ortega Corona)

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Order... Arms!

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Talia Preston, left, Tech. Sgt. Lauren McKay, center, and Tech. Sgt. Agyen Frempong, Military Training Instructors assigned to 320th Training Squadron, 37th Training Wing, render salutes to the reviewing official while leading pass-in-review as part of U.S. Air Force and Space Force Basic Military Training graduation parade, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, June 5, 2025. The ceremony is one of three graduation events for BMT and signifies the transition from trainee to Airman or Guardian. (U.S. Air Force photo by Brian Boisvert)

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Lightning strike

An F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 56th Fighter Wing, Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., performs a strafing run during exercise Haboob Havoc, March 29, 2025, over Barry M. Goldwater Range, Ariz. Haboob Havoc is a total force competition that provides a way for pilots to demonstrate their skills across a diverse range of aircraft while also testing their abilities in different mission sets such as dogfighting and gun runs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Katelynn Jackson)

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A cut above

Airman 1st Class Alavinia Dishmond, 341st Civil Engineer Squadron structural apprentice, cuts a piece of vinyl at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., April 9, 2025. Malmstrom AFB’s sign makers design and produce custom signs that support base operations, safety and communication. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Mary Bowers)

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Medevac

Special warfare tactical air control party Airmen from the 124th Air Support Operations Squadron simulate shielding patients from rotor wash and debris during a UH-60 Black Hawk landing in Idaho City, Idaho, May 8, 2025. The exercise provided hands-on medevac training and allowed 124th ASOS members to integrate with joint medical personnel in realistic, life-threatening scenarios that demonstrate the combat readiness and tactical proficiency of the Air National Guard. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Mercedee Wilds)

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Sky high

U.S. Air Force Academy’s Jalan Rivers, a two-time defending conference champion, competes in the high jump at the Air Force Twilight Open held at the Cadet Outdoor Track and Field Complex in Colorado Springs, Colo., May 9, 2025. Rivers cleared a height of 2.15 meters (7 feet, 0.5 inches), earning first place in the event and extending his dominance in the high jump field. (U.S. Air Force photo by Adalyn Greene)

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Night ops

Airmen conduct preflight inspections aboard a C-17 Globemaster III at John Rogers Airport, Hawaii, during the Air Force’s Department-Level Exercise 2025, July 9, 2025. The DLE series encompasses all branches of the Department of Defense, along with allies and partners, employing more than 400 joint and coalition aircraft and more than 12,000 members at more than 50 locations across 3,000 miles. (U.S. Air Force photo by Theresa Valadez)

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Feeling the heat

Airmen assigned to the 132nd Wing's Civil Engineer Squadron, Iowa Air National Guard, conduct aircraft firefighting training at the 119th Wing, North Dakota Air National Guard's Regional Training Site, Fargo, N.D., July 30, 2025. This exercise was one piece of a larger, comprehensive annual training for the squadron. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Armani Wilson)

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Mirror image

A KC-135 Stratotanker, 121st Air Refueling Wing, sits on the flightline at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Ohio, Dec. 4, 2025. The KC-135 is a vital aircraft for Air Mobility Command, providing core aerial refueling support to the U.S. Air Force and ensuring rapid global reach. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ralph Branson)

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Make-A-Wish

Dylan Conner tries on a helmet during a visit to Hill Air Force Base, Utah, June 25, 2025. The visit, organized by Make-A-Wish Utah and hosted by the 514th Flight Test Squadron, gave Dylan a behind-the-scenes look at the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by R. Nial Bradshaw)

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Horsepower

The White Horses from Hardin-Simmons University ride past a B-1B Lancer during the Wings Over West Texas Airshow at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, April 19, 2025. Representing the university’s Six White Horses tradition, these equestrians showcase western heritage and school spirit through appearances at parades, rodeos and special events across Texas. Their presence at the airshow brought a touch of local pride and history to the celebration of airpower and community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jade M. Caldwell)

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Welcome party

A C-40B Clipper carrying Gen. Randall Reed, commander of U.S. Transportation Command, arrives at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, June 3, 2025. During his visit to Guam and other key U.S., allied and commercial sites across the Pacific, Reed gathered insights to strengthen USTRANSCOM’s understanding of regional logistics and military transportation challenges. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jordan Garner)

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Just dropping by

Pararescuemen assigned to the 48th Rescue Squadron conduct a fast-roping exercise from an MV-22B Osprey as part of Weapons and Tactics Instructor course 2-25 at Auxiliary Airfield 2, near Yuma, Ariz., April 23, 2025. The course is a seven-week event hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One, which emphasizes operational integration of the six functions of aviation in support of the Marine Air Ground Task Force, joint and coalition forces. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Fabian Ortiz)

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Ambassadors in Blue

Members of the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team pose with an EA-37B Compass Call after completing their performance at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., March 22, 2025. The elite team supports the Air Force Recruiting Service by serving as the official ambassadors in blue, showcasing precision, discipline and professionalism. The EA-37B is a specialized electronic warfare aircraft designed to disrupt enemy command and control communications, providing critical support to joint and allied operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Andrew Garavito)

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Sonic smoke

Capt. Nick Le Tourneau, F-22 Demonstration Team pilot, performs precision aerial maneuvers during the National Security Forum at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., May 7, 2025. Since 1954, the Secretary of the Air Force's National Security Forum has brought together the nation's most influential civic leaders with senior military leaders to enable open discussions on historic and contemporary national security strategies and challenges. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Richard P. Ebensberger)

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Green scene

A Special Warfare airman participates in a Tactical Air Control Party Apprentice Course to demonstrate coordinating nighttime close air support using classroom simulators at Chapman Training Annex, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, Aug. 27, 2025. Tactical air control party airmen are the primary link between ground forces and air support assets.

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Early warning

An E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft assigned to the 962nd Airborne Air Control Squadron departs Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Aug. 19, 2025, for exercise Northern Edge 2025. NE25 is an exercise led by the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command that serves as a platform for joint, multi-domain operations to deliver high-end, realistic warfighter training, strengthen joint interoperability and sharpen the air and sea-based combat readiness of U.S. and participating forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class David S. Calcote)

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Low visibility

An Alaska Air National Guard HC-130J Combat King II departs on a scheduled training flight from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Sept. 10, 2025. The HC-130J is used for a wide variety of missions such as tactical airlift, search and rescue, airdropping of equipment and personnel and more. (U.S. Air Force by Senior Airman Joseph Moon)

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Cutting skills

Tech. Sgt. Cameron Gibbs, an aircraft metals technology specialist with the 121st Air Refueling Wing, practices plasma cutting at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Columbus, Ohio, June 26, 2025. These skilled professionals custom-make the metal components critical to the KC-135 Stratotankers assigned to the 121st ARW and to the success of the Air Force mission. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman Taylor Warehime)

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Heavy onload

U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 709th Airlift Squadron and the 512th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron load a Pierce Arrow Telesquirt fire truck onto a C-5M Super Galaxy at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., April 9, 2025. Weighing approximately 31,000 to 33,000 pounds without water, the fire truck’s size and weight required careful coordination and precision handling during the loading process. A non-governmental organization donated the fire truck as part of the Denton Humanitarian Assistance Program, which provides transportation of humanitarian goods to countries in need. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Devin Morgan)

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Engagement drill

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Derrius Amis, 379th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron services specialist, and Senior Airman Kameron Kensington, 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron installation patrolman, perform an aft engagement drill during a tactical leadership course within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Jan. 23, 2025. Utilizing the Mission-Ready Airman concept, students from various career fields received training with M4 carbines to build readiness for installation security scenarios. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Zeeshan Naeem)

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Riveting takeoff

A U.S. Air Force RC-135 Rivet Joint, assigned to the 95th Reconnaissance Squadron, departs RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom, Aug. 21, 2025. With 108 years of continuous service, the 95th RS stands as one of the oldest active units in the Air Force. Since its activation on Aug. 20, 1917, the squadron has carried a variety of missions through nearly every major conflict, including its historic role as a bombardment squadron during the Doolittle Raid of 1942. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kevin Long)

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Quick response

Firefighters from the 812th Civil Engineer Squadron, 412th Test Wing, out of Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., responded to an off-base mutual-aid request to nearby Rosamond, April 9, 2025. Edwards AFB Fire and Emergency Services worked with Kern County firefighters to extinguish flames and prevent further damage to nearby private property. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kyle Brasier)

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Combat certification

A KC-46A Pegasus assigned to the 418th Flight Test Squadron at Edwards Air Force Base positions to refuel a Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail in the airspace near Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., April 9, 2025. Aircrews from the U.S. Air Force, RAAF and Royal Air Force worked together to rapidly certify this enhanced combat capability for the RAAF E-7A fleet. (U.S. Air Force photo by Richard Gonzales)

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Airman’s best friend

Senior Airman Kimbree Rush, 355th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, comforts a MWD on board an HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter above Tucson, Ariz., June 3, 2025. Rush spent 20 minutes in the air with her MWD flying above Tucson to become comfortable on board the helicopter. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Jaden Kidd)

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Airborne firefighter

A C-130 Hercules assigned to the 153rd Airlift Wing, is airborne during a Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System training at Top-of-the-World, Ariz., Feb. 14, 2025. MAFFS training prepares aircrews for wildfire suppression efforts ahead of the upcoming fire season. The Wyoming Air National Guard conducted the training alongside the California Air National Guard’s 146th Airlift Wing, enhancing joint wildfire response capabilities. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Cesar Rivas)

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Obedience training

Military working dog Rex, an explosive detection dog with the 75th Security Forces Squadron, navigates an obstacle during obedience training with trainer Tech. Sgt. Hailey Pethtel May 8, 2025, at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. Rex is the newest K-9 to join the squadron and is undergoing his Field Transition Evaluation, a rigorous assessment designed to ensure he is fully mission-ready before validation and certification. (U.S. Air Force photo by Cynthia Griggs)

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Flare check

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle performs a flare check over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, March 9, 2025. The F-15E is deployed within the CENTCOM AOR to help defend U.S. interests, promote regional security and deter aggression in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Zachary Willis)

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SECAF Keynote

Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink delivers a keynote address during the 2025 Air, Space and Cyber Conference at National Harbor, Md., Sept. 22, 2025. In his remarks, Meink emphasized innovation, modernization and strengthening partnerships as critical to ensuring the Department of the Air Force maintains a competitive edge in an evolving security environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Andy Morataya)

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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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Get low

An Airman assigned to the 355th Security Forces Squadron low crawls under barbed wire during Police Week's Battle of the Badges at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., May 14, 2025. The event featured timed obstacles simulating law enforcement scenarios to challenge participants’ skills under pressure. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Devlin Bishop)

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Sharing the load

Airmen from the 921st Contingency Response Squadron establish a sling load connection with a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361 at Amedee Army Airfield in Herlong, Calif., April 7, 2025. The 921st CRS took part in Exercise Dragon Spark, a 10-day joint training event focused on enhancing rapid deployment capabilities, expeditionary logistics and interoperability between Air Force and Marine Corps units. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Cassidy Fisher)

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Family time

Master Sgt. Brandon Freon assists his daughter during a Board and Brush event at the 122nd Fighter Wing in Fort Wayne, Ind., April 12, 2025. The event offers a fun and creative way for service members and their families to relax, connect and build camaraderie in a welcoming, social atmosphere. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Danielle Hough)

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Watch your step

Airmen from the 4th Fighter Generation Squadron, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, climb into a C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 41st Airlift Squadron, Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., to participate in exercise Bamboo Eagle 25-3 at Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif., Aug. 7, 2025. The exercise provides a combat-representative environment that pushes participants to enhance their readiness through realistic training and advanced tactics. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Zachary Rufus)

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Water training

Yenky, a military working dog assigned to the 509th Security Forces Squadron, bites Senior Airman Justus Johnson, 509th SFS military working dog handler, during water aggression training in Sedalia, Mo., Sept. 2, 2025. The training familiarizes military working dogs with an atypical environment and enhance their capability to apprehend a target in water. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joshua Hastings)

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Follow the leader

Gen. Kevin B. Schneider, Pacific Air Forces commander, pilots the lead F-22 Raptor during a mission off the coast of O‘ahu, Hawaii, April 8, 2025. PACAF provides ready and lethal forces to ensure stability and security in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Emerson Nuñez)

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Solidifying partnerships

Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink is greeted by Philippine air force Commanding General Lt. Gen. Arthur Cordura, outside of the Philippines Air Force Headquarters in Manila, Philippines, July 29, 2025. During his bilateral engagements, Meink emphasized the importance of deepening defense ties and advancing multilateral coordination across the Indo-Pacific. (Courtesy Photo)

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Red Tail Rendezvous

A T-7A Red Hawk from the 416th Flight Test Squadron and P-51D Mustang from the Palm Springs Air and Space Museum fly in formation over Edwards Air Force Base,. Calif., March 7, 2025 after the 2025 Red Tail Rendezvous event. To honor the rich history of the Tuskegee Airmen, reinforce warfighter standards and resiliency, and amplify Airman morale, the 412th Test Wing hosted a special afternoon during the State of California's formal Tuskegee Airmen Remembrance Day on March 7. In a beneficial series of requirements, the F-35A and P-51D aircraft were able to take advantage of a T-7A flying a test mission during departure to create this unique formation, while the event provided pilots with the Alabama Air National Guard key cross-country training hours. A flight test aerial photographer was also scheduled for a proficiency mission the same afternoon, allowing this rare moment to be captured visually. The T-7A Red Hawk sports red tails as homage to the Tuskegee Airmen. (Air Force photo by Christian Turner)

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Grenade training

Senior Airman Alma Gomez, 173rd Fighter Wing, Oregon Air National Guard, navigates the grenade marksmanship course during the Oregon National Guard Best Warrior Competition at Camp Rilea, Ore., March 14, 2025. The full range of events assessed the warriors' physical fitness, land navigation skills, marksmanship and other battlefield scenarios. (Air National Guard photo by John Hughel)

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Helo ops

A 37th Helicopter Squadron UH-1N Huey comes in for a landing to pick up a 90th Missile Wing task response force Airman during a convoy response force demonstration at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., Feb. 11, 2025. The demonstration provided U.S. Strategic Command senior leaders with insight into the Air Force’s role in the nuclear enterprise and its procedures for moving intercontinental ballistic missiles. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Michael A. Richmond)

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Clouds ahead

Maj. Joshua Burress, a pilot with the U.S. Air Force Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, prepares to be refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker with the 121st Air Refueling Wing over the skies of Virginia, June 18, 2025. The Thunderbirds were traveling to the Dayton Air Show in Dayton, Ohio. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Ivy Thomas)

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Mental resilience

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kaylin Cornell, a fitness assessment cell manager assigned to the 673d Force Support Squadron, sits in the MindGym at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Feb. 26, 2025. The MindGym is a facility designed to bolster mental resilience and cognitive performance for service members and their families by offering a sensory-controlled environment where users engage in guided mindfulness sessions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Hunter Hites)

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Sky Raider

A B-21 Raider, the nation’s sixth-generation stealth bomber, joins flight testing at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Sept. 11, 2025. The program is a cornerstone of the Department of the Air Force’s nuclear modernization strategy, which ensures a safe, secure and credible deterrent for decades to come, while also delivering both conventional and nuclear payloads. (Courtesy photo)

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Assumption of responsibility

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force David Wolfe is congratulated by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach during Wolfe’s assumption of responsibility ceremony on Joint Base Andrews, Md., Dec. 8, 2025. Wolfe succeeded CMSAF David Flosi as the 21st CMSAF. (U.S. Air Force photo by Eric Dietrich)

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Talisman Sabre

A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III assigned to the 15th Wing, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, takes off for a mission over Queensland, Australia, during Talisman Sabre, 25 July 24, 2025. Talisman Sabre is the largest bilateral military exercise between Australia and the United States, aimed at strengthening relationships and interoperability among key allies and partners to promote a safe and secure Indo-Pacific. The exercise also enhances collective capabilities to respond to a wide range of potential security concerns. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Natalie Doan)

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Taking the oath

Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meinke administers the Oath of Office to Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach during an assumption of responsibility ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Nov. 18, 2025. During the ceremony, Wilsbach was sworn in as the 24th Chief of Staff of the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Andy Morataya)

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Prepare to board

90th Missile Security Forces Squadron Tactical Response Force defenders prepare to board a 550th Helicopter Squadron MH-139 Grey Wolf during a nuclear convoy course at Camp Guernsey Joint Training Center, Wyo., April 4, 2025. The 550 HS provided aerial support to enhance ground security operations and refine joint air-to-ground coordination alongside 20th Air Force convoy response force defenders. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Michael A. Richmond)

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Focus on fitness

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman David Orellana, a vehicle maintainer assigned to the 673d Logistics Readiness Squadron, lifts weights at Hangar 5 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Dec. 8, 2025. Hangar 5 received major renovations as part of a $5 million congressional facility overhaul allocation aimed at improving warfighter fitness, lethality and readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Hunter Hites)

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Arctic refueling

An F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 3rd Wing receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 452nd Air Mobility Wing, March Air Reserve Base, Calif., during Red Flag Alaska 25-3 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, July 25, 2025. The exercise enhances joint and coalition interoperability through large-force employment training in a simulated combat environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Eli A. Rose)

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On the go

Two U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster IIIs simultaneously prepare to take off and come in for a landing, delivering Airmen and equipment in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility for exercise Agile Spartan 25.2, Aug. 23, 2025. Agile Spartan is an Agile Combat Employment exercise that shifts generation of airpower from large, centralized bases to networks of smaller, dispersed locations, or cluster bases, to increase survivability, complicate adversary planning and gain an advantage. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Keagan Lee)

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Air Force tradition

Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach signs the historic Bible during his swearing-in ceremony as the 24th Chief of Staff of the Air Force in Arlington, Va., Nov. 3, 2025. The cherished Bible — used at every Air Force Chief of Staff induction — carries the signatures of all predecessors, symbolizing the continuity of leadership and the heritage of the service. Wilsbach’s signature joins this long-standing tradition as he formally assumes the Air Force’s highest military position. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Stuart Bright)

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Symbolic pose

The MacDill Air Force Base Honor Guard poses for a group photo at MacDill AFB, Fla., April 15, 2025. The MacDill Honor Guard provides support for military ceremonies honoring distinguished guests, change-of-command ceremonies, retreats, retirements, parades and other appropriate community events open to the general public. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexander Cook)

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Strap it down

A U.S. Air Force Airman assigned to the 106th Rescue Wing secures an HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter in place inside of a C-5M Super Galaxy aircraft during exercise Resolute Force Pacific 2025, at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Aug. 3, 2025. REFORPAC is part of the first-in-a-generation Department-Level Exercise series, a new way of conducting operations in a contested, dynamic environment to build capabilities making a stronger, more lethal deterrent force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Andre Medina)

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Ready to refuel

An MC-130J Commando II assigned to the Pennsylvania Air National Guard’s 193rd Special Operations Wing, prepares to receive fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 171st Air Refueling Wing, over Coraopolis, Pa., March 7, 2025. The refueling mission was part of routine training that helps ensure the proficiency of both aircrews. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Shawn Monk)

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DASH towards the future fight

A U.S. Air Force air battle manager, center, provides information to an industry partner during the Department of the Air Force’s second Decision Advantage Sprint for Human-Machine Teaming, or DASH, experiment, at the 805th Combat Training Squadron’s unclassified location in downtown Las Vegas, Nev., July 29, 2025. This two-week event brought together operational warfighters, industry, and Shadow Operations Center-Nellis software developers to prototype microservices aimed at accelerating and improving decision-making in high-tempo battle management scenarios, as framed by the Transformational Model. (U.S. Air Force photo by Deb Henley)

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Gassing up

A U.S. Air Force AC-130J Ghostrider prepares to refuel over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, April 8, 2025. Designed for close air support, air interdiction and armed reconnaissance, the AC-130J provides CENTCOM forces an expeditionary, direct-fire platform with 30mm and 105mm cannons. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Natalie Jones)

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CSAF and CMSAF AOR visit

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force David Wolfe walk with U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Willow Briones-Ortiz, 380th Maintain the Force Element community programs flight chief, during a visit in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Dec. 20, 2025. Wilsbach and Wolfe held all-calls, shared meals in smaller gatherings and immersed themselves in base operations, gaining direct perspectives on the challenges and successes Airmen in the region face. These engagements allowed the leadership to understand the realities of the deployed environment firsthand. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Paige Weldon)

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Wall of fire

An F-22 Raptor assigned to the 1st Fighter Wing’s F-22 Demonstration Team roars past a wall of fire during a high-speed pass at the Air Power Over Hampton Roads air show at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., April 27, 2025. The demonstration highlighted the Raptor’s unrivaled speed, agility and stealth through a dynamic series of precision maneuvers, showcasing the air superiority fighter’s capabilities to thousands of spectators. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Adisen Smith)

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Free fall

U.S. Air Force pararescuemen assigned to the 52nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron execute a military free fall jump from an HC-130J Combat King II over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Aug. 5, 2025. The high-altitude jump enables precision infiltration into contested or remote environments while minimizing detection. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Natalie Jones)

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Four-ship formation

First Reconnaissance Squadron T-38 Talon’s fly in a four-ship formation over California, June 30, 2025. The T-38 is a twin-engine, high-altitude, supersonic jet trainer used in a variety of roles because of its design, economy of operations, ease of maintenance, high performance and exceptional safety record. (U.S. Air Force photo by Frederick A. Brown)

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Spent rounds

Senior Airman Henry Maddock, 375th Security Forces Squadron patrolman, fires an M240 light machine gun during 12th Air Task Force training on Camp McGregor, N.M., Jan. 16, 2025. Led by the 12th Combat Air Base Squadron and cadres from U.S. Army TF Black Scorpion, 2-363rd Training Support Battalion, 12th ATF Airmen from Scott, Barksdale, and Little Rock Air Force bases and Joint Base Langley-Eustis conducted combat-focused training to ensure joint force maneuver in combat and mission readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman De'Quan Simmons)

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Preparing for the future fight

A YFQ-44A production representative test vehicle is staged inside a testing chamber in Costa Mesa, Calif., May 1, 2025. Developed by Anduril, the YFQ-44A is one of two test platforms supporting the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft program. It is designed to demonstrate advanced autonomous systems and enable crewed-uncrewed teaming, expanding the capabilities of manned aircraft. These technologies are critical to helping the Joint Force maintain air dominance and operate effectively in highly contested environments. (Courtesy photo)

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Recruiting excellence

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth poses for a photo with troops at the Department of War’s Recruiting Excellence Forum at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., Dec. 18, 2025. (DoW photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander Kubitza)

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Raptors and Talons

F-22 Raptors and T-38 Talons from the 1st Fighter Wing conduct an elephant walk at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., Jan. 31, 2025. This demonstration highlighted the wing's capability to mobilize forces rapidly in high-stress scenarios. The 1st FW’s primary mission is to deliver dominant airpower, supporting global operations, rapid deployment and homeland defense. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Matthew Coleman-Foster)

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Ready for action

Senior Airman Nathan Barbaza, 8th Security Forces Squadron response force leader, stands ready for action against opposing forces in a simulated ground attack training during exercise Freedom Shield 25 at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, March 11, 2025. Airmen assigned to the 8th Fighter Wing participated in large-scale, realistic training to strengthen interoperability, reinforce the South Korea-U.S. combined defense posture and increase combat readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Maria Umanzor Guzman)

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From concept to flight

A YFQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft lifts off during a flight test at a range in California, Aug. 27, 2025. Developed in partnership with General Atomics, the aircraft is part of the Air Force’s initiative to rapidly field affordable, semi-autonomous platforms designed to augment crewed aircraft in future combat operations. (Courtesy photo)

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Setting the field

Airmen participate in a wargaming drill as part of Officer Training School at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., June 1, 2025. Civilians and prior enlisted service members with college degrees undergo a 60-day training program at the school, culminating in their commissioning as officers in the Air Force or Space Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Damien Thomas)

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Soft landing

A U.S. Air Force EA-37B Compass Call assigned to the 55th Electronic Combat Group prepares for landing at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Sept. 27, 2025. The EA-37B Compass Call is a next-gen electronic attack aircraft that disrupts enemy networks and systems to ensure Joint Force dominance in the electromagnetic spectrum. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melany Bermudez)

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Drill rehearsal

The U.S. Air Force Honor Guard’s Drill Team rehearses for the 2025 Basel Tattoo in Basel, Switzerland, July 9, 2025. The team represented the Air Force and the Department of Defense as the only U.S. military branch to perform at the world’s second largest tattoo, showcasing precise maneuvers and demonstrating the Air Force’s focus on readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Geneva Nguyen)

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Eyes from above

A U.S. Air Force U-2 Dragon Lady assigned to the 99th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron flies over RAF Fairford, United Kingdom, during the Royal International Air Tattoo, July 19, 2025. The U-2 is a high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft that supports global intelligence missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Adam Enbal)

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Airman in space

NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 launches from Kennedy Space Center, Fla., March 14, 2025, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The Dragon spacecraft, piloted by astronaut and U.S. Air Force Maj. Nichole Ayers on her first spaceflight, is part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. Ayers and crew will conduct research, technology demonstrations and station maintenance aboard the International Space Station. (Courtesy photo by Aubrey Gemignani)

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Proud embrace

Col. Keith Butler, 509th Bomb Wing commander, embraces his wife, Diane Butler, after landing at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., June 6, 2025. Family and friends gathered to celebrate his final flight as wing commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Bryson Sherard)

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Flying with precision

The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron “Thunderbirds” fly in formation during a practice demonstration at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., March 28, 2025. The Thunderbirds performed flying formations to symbolize the precision and training of the Air Force pilots, in addition to the versatility of the F-16 Fighting Falcon. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Devyn Taylor)

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Feel the burn

Basic cadet trainees from the Class of 2029 complete Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and high-yield Explosives training in Jacks Valley during the second phase of Basic Cadet Training, July 19, 2025, at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. The second phase of BCT is designed to push cadets to their physical limits to build self-confidence, teamwork skills and tactical and firearms training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith)

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Cobra Warrior

Two U.S. Air Force Airmen, both crew chiefs assigned to the 307th Bomb Wing, prepare to launch a B-52H Stratofortress aircraft during Exercise Cobra Warrior 25-2 at RAF Fairford, England, Sept. 18, 2025. The RAF-led Exercise has been hosted by the United Kingdom biannually since 2019, focusing on high-end operational and tactical spectrum warfighting in a contested, degraded and limited operating environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tambri Cason)

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Hazmat leak

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jonathan Cain, 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron fire protection firefighter, inspects a simulated hazardous materials leak within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Jan. 30, 2025. Airmen mitigated the leak and decontaminated the area, practicing different scenarios to enforce proper safety procedures. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Zeeshan Naeem)

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Liberation Day flyover

A B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Minot Air Force Base, N.D., takes off from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, July 21, 2025, to participate in a flyover for the 81st Liberation Day Parade. The parade is a celebration of U.S. forces liberating Guam during World War II and culminates in events and ceremonies held across the island. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Audree Campbell)

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251205-F-ST721-4287

The T-7A Red Hawk touches down for the first time at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, Dec. 5, 2025. The T-7A is the Air Force’s next-generation advanced trainer, built to replace the T-38C Talon and prepare pilots for 5th- and 6th-generation fighter and bomber aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Benjamin Faske)

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Refueling reflections

A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor assigned to the 433rd Weapons Squadron is reflected in the sunglasses of Airman 1st Class Dylan Lovett, 91st Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 boom operator, as the fighter receives fuel during exercise Combat Archer over the Gulf of America, Sept. 12, 2025. The 6th Air Refueling Wing extends fighter endurance to support live-fire training, highlighting Air Mobility Command’s role as a global force multiplier. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexander Cook)

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Homeward bound

A B-2 Spirit stealth bomber returns to Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., after completing a forward deployment to Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory, May 9, 2025. The deployment was part of a routine Bomber Task Force mission designed to project U.S. global power and strengthen partnerships with regional allies. While stationed at Diego Garcia, the B-2 and its supporting aircrew conducted strategic deterrence missions, long-range training sorties and integration exercises with joint and coalition forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Kenneth W. Norman)

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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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Minuteman launch

An unarmed Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile launches during an operational test, Nov. 5, 2025, at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif. ICBM systems require regular testing to verify system performance and identify any potential issues. Data gathered from Glory Trip 254 helps to identify and mitigate potential risks, ensuring the continued accuracy and reliability of the ICBM force. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Draeke Layman)

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This year's photos feature Airmen from around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This annual feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force including the 96th Test Wing's climatic lab and firefighters.

To view all Week in Photos collections, click here.

Feeling the heat

Beyond the smoke

A closer look

Banking hours

HALO jump

Helocasting

Learning through augmented reality

Flying with flare

Showcasing excellence

Afterburner

Load ‘er up!

Hose deployment

Friendship Festival

Graduation day

Apache onload

Order... Arms!

Lightning strike

A cut above

Medevac

Sky high

Night ops

Feeling the heat

Mirror image

Make-A-Wish

Horsepower

Welcome party

Just dropping by

Ambassadors in Blue

Sonic smoke

Green scene

Early warning

Low visibility

Cutting skills

Heavy onload

Engagement drill

Riveting takeoff

Quick response

Combat certification

Airman’s best friend

Airborne firefighter

Obedience training

Flare check

SECAF Keynote

Afterburner test

Get low

Sharing the load

Family time

Watch your step

Water training

Follow the leader

Solidifying partnerships

Red Tail Rendezvous

Grenade training

Helo ops

Clouds ahead

Mental resilience

Sky Raider

Assumption of responsibility

Talisman Sabre

Taking the oath

Prepare to board

Focus on fitness

Arctic refueling

On the go

Air Force tradition

Symbolic pose

Strap it down

Ready to refuel

DASH towards the future fight

Gassing up

CSAF and CMSAF AOR visit

Wall of fire

Free fall

Four-ship formation

Spent rounds

Preparing for the future fight

Recruiting excellence

Raptors and Talons

Ready for action

From concept to flight