The US Navy Blue Angels are scheduled to conduct 61 flight demonstrations at 32 locations across the country in 2019 to showcase the pride and professionalism of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps to the American and Canadian public.
U.S. Air Force Maj. Garrett Schmitz, pilot for the F-16 Viper Demonstration Team, performs aerial maneuvers with an F-16 Fighting Falcon at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, May 16, 2019. Air Combat Command pilots must complete rigorous training and receive certification from four levels of United States Air Force leadership before they can earn the title of Demonstration Team Commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Marcus M. Bullock)
An Airman piloting an F-35A Lightning II completes aerial refueling courtesy of Airmen from the 28th Expeditionary Aerial Refueling Squadron aboard a KC-135R Stratotanker, April 26, 2019 over an undisclosed location. The F-35 is on its first deployment to the Middle East as part of the inaugural demonstration of the fighter’s next generation combat capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Keifer Bowes)
ARABIAN SEA (May 17, 2019) The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) and the Wasp-class Amphibious Assault Ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) sail alongside as the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group (ABECSG) and Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (KSGARG) conduct joint operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. The ABECSG and KSGARG, with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, are prepared to respond to contingencies and to defend U.S. forces and interests in the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brian M. Wilbur/Released)
The 64th Aggressor Squadron out of Nellis AFB, NV, recently released its much-hyped GHOST paint scheme, mimicking the Russian Air Force’s Sukhoi Su-57. Check out a timelapse video of the paint job below!
Two F-35B Lightning II, assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211, left, an F/A-18E Super Hornet, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 151, and an F/A-18F Super Hornet, assigned to VFA 41, fly in formation over the Arabian Sea, Dec. 14, 2018. The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group, Essex Amphibious Ready Group, and 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit are conducting integrated operations in the Arabian Sea to ensure stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Connor D. Loessin)
LEMOORE, Calif. (Nov. 16, 2018) An F-35C Lightning II, attached to the “Argonauts” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147, stationed at Naval Air Station Lemoore, fly in formation for a photo exercise. VFA-147 is the first U.S. Navy Operational F-35C squadron based out of NAS Lemoore. Commander, Joint Strike Fighter Wing, headquartered at Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif. ensures that each F-35C squadron is fully combat-ready to conduct carrier-based, all-weather, attack, fighter and support missions for Commander, Naval Air Forces. With its stealth technology, advanced sensors, weapons capacity and range, the F-35C will be the first 5th generation aircraft operated from an aircraft carrier. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Shannon E. Renfroe/Released)
A maintainer assigned to the 493rd Aircraft Maintenance Unit looks through his technical orders while conducting maintenance on an F-15C Eagle assigned to the 493rd Fighter Squadron Nov. 21, 2018, to prepare it for sorties in support of the NATO Tactical Leadership Programme 18-4 at Amendola Air Base, Italy. F-15C Eagles and an F-15D Eagle will be participating in the NATO Tactical Leadership Programme 18-4. With over four decades of history, TLP has become the focal point for NATO’s Allied Air Forces tactical training, developing knowledge and leadership skills, necessary to face today’s air tactical challenges. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Malcolm Mayfield)
Pilots from the 388th and 419th Fighter Wings taxi F-35As on the runway in preparation for a combat power exercise Nov. 19, 2018, at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. During the exercise wings confirmed their ability to employ a large force of jets against air and ground targets, demonstrating the readiness and lethality of the F-35 Lightning II. As the first combat-ready F-35 units in the Air Force, the 388th and 419th FWs are ready to deploy anywhere in the world at a moment’s notice. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Justin Fuchs)
Pilots from the 388th and 419th Fighter Wings taxi F-35As on the runway in preparation for a combat power exercise Nov. 19, 2018, at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. During the exercise, the wings confirmed their ability to employ a large force of jets against air and ground targets, demonstrating the readiness and lethality of the F-35 Lightning II. As the first combat-ready F-35 units in the Air Force, the 388th and 419th FWs are ready to deploy anywhere in the world at a moment’s notice. (U.S. Air Force photo by Cynthia Griggs)
NORWEGIAN SEA (Oct. 18, 2018) Sailors participate in a foreign object debris walkdown on the flight deck aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). Currently operating in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations, Harry S. Truman will continue to foster cooperation with regional allies and partners, strengthen regional stability, and remain vigilant, agile and dynamic. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Maxwell Higgins/Released)
A Royal Australian Air Force KC-30A Multi-role Tanker Transport from RAAF Base Amberley provided refuelling operations for U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancers in addition to RAAF F/A-18F Super Hornets and E/A-18G Growlers during Exercise Lightning Focus. The B-1B Lancers’ participation in this exercise was part of the Enhanced Air Cooperation program, which aims to increase the interoperability between Australia and the United States. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Farrah Kaufmann)
Royal Navy Cmdr. Nathan Gray and U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Michael Lippert, both F-35 Pax River ITF test pilots, conduct ski jumps and field carrier landing practices with F-35Bs on Aug. 28, 2018, at NAS Patuxent River as part of the workups for the First of Class Flight Trials aboard the HMS Queen Elizabeth.
Around 200 supporting staff from the ITF, including pilots, engineers, maintainers and data analysts, will take two F-35Bs test aircraft aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth this fall to evaluate the fifth-generation aircraft performance and integration with Royal Navy’s newest aircraft carrier. This fixed wing test period brings the U.K. one step closer to carrier strike capabilities.
The Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron Thunderbirds Delta flies along the Pacific Coast. The Thunderbirds were returning from the California Capital City Air Show to Nellis Air Force Base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Corkins)
U.S. Airman watch as a U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle fighter jet lands for the first time on Ukrainian soil to participate in CLEAR SKY 2018, Oct. 6. The exercise promotes regional stability and security, while strengthening partner capabilities and fostering trust. The training at CLEAR SKY greatly improves interoperability among participating countries. The F-15C landed at Starokostiantyniv Air Base where the majority of the multinational exercise involving approximately 950 personnel from nine nations will take place. ( U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech Sgt. Charles Vaughn)
