F-15E Strike Eagle in Afghanistan, Oct. 6, 2011 | Photograph by Tech. Sgt. Matt Hecht



Like many official U.S. Departments, the United States Air Force has an active Flickr Account where they post images for the press and public’s viewing pleasure. With a library of 4,600+ photographs, there’s some really interesting shots published. Below you will find a small collection of images curated from about 50 of their 275 albums. Follow-up posts to come 🙂 Enjoy!



2.

A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft from the Kansas Air National Guard’s 190th Air Refueling Wing prepares to refuel Navy F/A-18 Hornets over Wake Island during an escort mission from Japan to the United States. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ben Fulton)

3.

The U.S. Air Force F-16 Thunderbirds demonstration team performs aerial stunts at the “Legacy of Liberty” open house and air show at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., Oct. 8, 2011. The team’s primary mission is to exhibit the capabilities of modern warfighting aircraft and to demonstrate the high degree of skill maintained by Air Force members serving in a variety of career specialties. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman DeAndre Curtiss)

4.

A pararescueman from the 920th Rescue Wing (RQW) at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., free falls from a HC-130P/N King refueling aircraft at 3,500 feet during a Cocoa Beach Air Show demonstration Nov. 4, 2011. The Cocoa Beach Air Show will feature 920th RQW Reserve rescue Airmen, HC-130P/N King aircraft and HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters Nov. 5-6. Pararescuemen are able to perform life-saving missions in the world’s most remote areas, by air, land or water. (Courtesy photo by Mike Brown)

5.

A U.S. Air Force B-2 bomber aircraft performs a flyover of the 98th Rose Bowl, Jan. 2, 2012, in Pasadena, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jennifer Greene)

6.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob Schaumberg, a 31st Rescue Squadron pararescueman, is hoisted up onboard an Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter by Master Sgt. John Durbin, a 33rd Rescue Squadron flight engineer and squadron superintendent, during a joint field training exercise off the coast of Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 1, 2011. Members from the two squadrons trained together on water survival, search and rescue, close air support, and maritime defense and interdiction. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jarvie Z. Wallace)

7.

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle fighter aircraft deploys countermeasure flares Nov. 12, 2008, over Afghanistan. The aircraft is assigned to the 391st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon)

8.

U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft from both the 8th and 419th Fighter Wings demonstrate an “elephant walk” formation as they taxi down a runway during an exercise Dec. 2, 2011, at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea. The exercise showcased Kunsan aircrews’ capability to quickly and safely prepare an aircraft for a wartime mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rasheen Douglas)

9.

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft with the 4th Fighter Squadron receives fuel as part of an air refueling mission over Jordan Oct. 17, 2011, during Eager Tiger Falcon Air Meet 2011. The Eager Tiger Falcon Air Meet is an annual competition and training exercise for countries that fly the F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Asha Kin)

10.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Justin Evans, a crew chief with the 60th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, rolls a used C-5 Galaxy tire-and-wheel assembly to a collection point after its removal from an aircraft Oct. 6, 2011, at Travis Air Force Base, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lt. Col. Robert Couse-Baker)

11.

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds execute a maneuver while visitors watch from Falcon Stadium after the graduation ceremonies of the Class of 2009. This was the 51st graduating class, and consisted of 1,046 newly commissioned 2nd Lieutenants (US Air Force photo by Dennis Rogers)

12.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Aaron Jelinek demonstrates the turning performance of a U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft at Pease Air National Guard Base, N.H., during the Boston-Portsmouth Air Show, Aug. 14, 2011. Jelinek is the lead solo pilot for the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Larry Reid Jr.)

13.

U.S. Air Force Airmen look out the back of a U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft during Operation Christmas Drop (OCD), Dec. 12, 2011. The island of Fais is located within the Yap state of the Micronesian islands and is one of the more than 50 islands that will receive care packages this holiday season as part of OCD. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Carlin Leslie)

14.

A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II ground-attack aircraft is refueled over southern Afghanistan Aug. 18, 2011. The most prominent feature of the A-10 is the 30 mm GAU-8/A Avenger Gatling-gun cannon. This weapon is capable of firing 3,900 rounds a minute and can defeat an array of ground targets, including tanks. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jeffrey Allen)

15.

The first of 15 Block 40 Global Hawk unmanned aircraft reconnaissance system is unveiled by Northrop Grumman and U.S. Air Force officials June 25, 2011 in Palmdale, Calif. This newest addition to the Air Force’s growing fleet of Global Hawks carries an advanced, all-weather multi-platform radar technology insertion program (MP-RTIP) sensor capable of detecting, tracking and identifying stationary and moving targets. (Courtesy photo)

16.

A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II ground attack aircraft waits to refuel Aug. 18, 2011 over southern Afghanistan. The most prominent feature of the A-10 Thunderbolt II is the 30-millimeter GAU-8/A Avenger Gatling-gun cannon. Both the A-10 and GAU-8 entered service in 1977, and the gun accounts for 16 percent of the aircraft’s weight. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jeffrey Allen)

17.

A F-15 Strike Eagle assigned to the 390th Fighter Squadron, Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, conducts a after burner run during exercise Maple Flag 42 at 4 Wing Cold Lake, Canada, June 9, 2009. Maple Flag is a Canadian-sponsored and Air Combat Command supported exercise, that provides aircrew simulated air and ground combat training to coalition forces in a NATO environment.

(U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Larry E. Reid Jr.)

18.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Peter Jensen, a loadmaster assigned to the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, collects the straps that restrain airdrop bundles in the back of a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft Sept. 30, 2011. Jensen and the aircrew of the C-17 air dropped 40 bundles to a remote outpost in Afghanistan. Aerial delivery of critical supplies decreases the total number of resupply convoys conducted in high-threat areas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jeffrey Allen)

19.

F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft with the Thunderbirds, the U.S. Air Force aerial demonstration team, perform during the 2011 Legacy of Liberty Air Show on Oct. 8, 2011, at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman DeAndre Curtiss)

20.

1920s — Capt. Lowell Smith and Lt. John P. Richter, made the first mid-air refueling, June 1923, at Rockwell Field. (U.S. Air Force archive photo)

21.

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft pitches out while popping flares over Iraq on Nov. 9, 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo)

22.

Nine U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft sit on the ramp before taking off Jan. 10, 2012, from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. Twelve F-16s and approximately 250 Airmen deployed to Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, for a three-month deployment. The Airmen were activated as the 55th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kenny Holston)

23.

1960s – The F-111 Aardvark was a medium-range interdictor and tactical strike aircraft that also filled the roles of strategic bomber, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare in its various versions. USAF F-111 variants were retired in the 1990s with the F-111Fs retired in 1996 and EF-111s retired in 1998. (U.S. Air Force archive photo)

24.

1990s – U.S. Air Force F-16A Fighting Falcon, F-15C Eagle and F-15E Strike Eagle fighter aircraft fly over burning oil field sites in Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm. (U.S. Air Force archive photo)

25.

U.S. Air Force Maj. J.R. Williams, Thunderbird 6, Opposing Solo, performs a Sneak Pass during the Boston-Portsmouth Air Show at Pease Air National Guard Base, N.H., Aug. 14, 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Larry E. Reid Jr.)

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