Official websites use .mil
Secure .mil websites use HTTPS
/ Published May 21, 2021
Two U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs assigned to Hill Air Force Base, Utah, and two Dassault Rafales assigned to Saint-Dizier-Robinson Air Base, France, break formation during flight May 18, 2021, over France. The flight was a part of exercise Atlantic Trident 21, a joint, multinational exercise involving service members from the U.S., France and the United Kingdom. Atlantic Trident aims to enhance fourth and fifth-generation integration, combat readiness, and fighting capabilities by conducting complex air operations in a contested environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alexander Cook)
Airman 1st Class Anthony Rodriguez removes aircraft chocks from an A-10 Thunderbolt II before a mission at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., May 18, 2021. The A-10 can be serviced and operated from bases with limited facilities near battle areas. Many of the aircraft's parts are interchangeable left and right, including the engines, main landing gear and vertical stabilizers. (U.S. Air Force photo by William R. Lewis)
An F-15EX Eagle II assigned to the 40th Flight Test Squadron, 96th Test Wing, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., conducts aerial refueling operations above Northern California, May 14, 2021. The aircraft participated in exercise Northern Edge 21 in Alaska earlier this May. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ethan Wagner)
Chief Master Sgt. Stan Franklin receives the traditional tacking-on of chief stripes from his children, Oliver and Olivia, during a promotion ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, May 15, 2021. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jordyn Fetter)
Pararescue Airmen perform static line and military free-fall jumps from a Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron-234 KC-130J over Djibouti, May 17, 2021. The airborne personnel maintain jump proficiency to support personnel recovery and combat search and rescue, and to rapidly deploy to austere locations within the area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Daniel Asselta)
A B-52H Stratofortress assigned to Barksdale Air Force Base, La., takes flight from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam during a Bomber Task Force deployment in support of exercise Northern Edge 21, May 7, 2021. The BTF deployed to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility to meet Pacific Air Forces training objectives. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Louis Vega Jr.)
Base honor guard Airmen fold the American flag during a National Police Week retreat ceremony at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 14, 2021. The honor guard lowered both the American and Japanese flags during the ceremony to recognize law enforcement personnel. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Braden Anderson)
The Skyborg autonomy core system launches aboard a Kratos UTAP-22 tactical unmanned vehicle at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., April 29, 2021. Termed Milestone 1 of the Autonomous Attritable Aircraft Experimentation campaign, the ACS performed a series of foundational behaviors necessary to characterize safe system operation. (U.S. Air Force photo)
A C-17 Globemaster III assigned to the 315th Airlift Wing, Joint Base Charleston, S.C., waits on the runway for 82nd Airborne and Royal Army 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment Soldiers to depart for exercise Defender-Europe 21 at Pope Air Force Base, N.C., May 7, 2021. Defender-Europe 21 is a large-scale, U.S. Army-led exercise designed to build readiness and interoperability between the U.S., NATO allies and partner militaries. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher S. Muncy)
Cadet Zoe Iwu competes in the women’s 200-meter race during the Twilight Open at the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Cadet Outdoor Track and Field Complex in Colorado Springs, Colo., May 7, 2021. The Twilight Open is the last track and field event of the season and a final tune-up before the conference championships. (U.S. Air Force photo by Joshua Armstrong)
A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II, two Dassault Rafales and a Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon fly in formation over France, May 19, 2021. The flight was a part of exercise Atlantic Trident 21, a joint, multinational exercise involving service members from the U.S., France and the U.K. Atlantic Trident is aimed at enhancing fourth and fifth-generation integration, combat readiness and fighting capabilities, through conducting complex air operations in a contested multinational joint force environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alexander Cook)
An F-15EX Eagle assigned to the 53rd Wing, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., takes off in support of exercise Northern Edge 21 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, May 5, 2021. NE21 is one in a series of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command exercises designed to sharpen the joint forces' skills, and practice tactics, techniques and procedures. Approximately 15,000 U.S. service members participated in the joint training, hosted by Pacific Air Forces, on and above the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, the Gulf of Alaska, and temporary maritime activities area. (U.S. Air Force photo by Alejandro Peña)
This week's photos feature Airmen from around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.