AF Week in Photos U.S. Air Force Logo Sept. 27, 2024 Beautiful execution F-16 Fighting Falcons with the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron Thunderbirds perform during the Speed of Sound Airshow at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base in St. Joseph, Mo., Sept. 15, 2024. Hosted by the 139th Airlift Wing and the city of St. Joseph, the event was a chance to thank the community and approximately 50,000 attendees for their support. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Patrick Evenson) Details Download Season opener U.S. Air Force Academy cadet Ella Donlin begins her warmups for the freestyle stroke competition at the Academy’s Cadet Natatorium in Colorado Springs, Colo., Sept. 17, 2024. Freestyle events require swimmers to master a strategic balance of speed, endurance and technique, particularly in longer races. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith). Details Download Night flight A CV-22 Osprey, assigned to the 20th Special Operations Squadron, approaches the air-refueling receptacle of an MC-130J Commando II during a night flight at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Sept. 12, 2024. The Osprey is a tiltrotor aircraft that combines a helicopter's vertical takeoff, hover and vertical landing qualities with the long-range, fuel efficiency and speed characteristics of a turboprop aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Gracelyn Hess) Details Download Hurricane preparations Airmen assigned to the 23rd Fighter Wing, Moody Air Force Base, Ga., disembark an HC-130J Combat King II at Columbus Air Force Base, Miss., in preparation for Hurricane Helene, Sept. 25, 2024. The 23rd FW evacuated the aircraft due to the potential for high-speed winds, localized flooding and heavy rain. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jessica Blocher) Details Download Into the Wild Blue Yonder A B-52H Stratofortress takes off during exercise Prairie Vigilance/Bayou Vigilance 24-4 at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Sept. 8, 2024. Training operations like PV/BV ensure that Air Force Global Strike Command maintains a credible strategic capability that enhances the deterrence of threats to the United States and its allies and partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alyssa Bankston) Details Download Moving oxygen Airman 1st Class Joseph McRae and Senior Airman Trevor Mower, 6th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chiefs, secure an oxygen cart during preflight checks ahead of Hurricane Helene at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., Sept. 24, 2024. Aircraft were relocated due to the storm and are expected to return once flying conditions are favorable. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Lauren Cobin) Details Download Maximum thrust An F-16 Fighting Falcon engine runs at full afterburner during testing at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Sept. 18, 2024. Engines are built and repaired at Misawa AB to support the continuous flying mission of five squadrons across three fighter wings in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Andre Medina) Details Download Pre-flight inspection U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Lauro Ibarra, 555th Fighter Generation Squadron fuels technician, conducts a pre-flight inspection on an F-16 Fighting Falcon during exercise Cobra Warrior 24-2 at RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom, Sept. 23, 2024. The 31st Fighter Wing participated in CW24-2 alongside other NATO allies and partner air forces, enhancing the readiness necessary to respond to any potential challenge in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jenna A. Bond) Details Download Bike ride Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin rides on the final stretch of the Air Force Heritage Memorial to Memorial bicycle ride in Arlington, Va., Sept. 15, 2024. More than 200 Airmen and Guardians, past and present, participated in the bicycle ride, which started at the Wright Brothers Memorial in Kitty Hawk, N.C., Sept. 12, 2024, and concluded at the Air Force Memorial in Arlington, Va. (U.S. Air Force photo by Chad Trujillo) Details Download Moon glide U.S. Air Force Academy cadets participate in the largest gilder operation in the world, the Soaring Program, Sept. 19, 2024, at Davis Airfield in Colorado Springs, Colo. The program's mission is to form the foundation of cadet exposure to military aviation, build character and help motivate cadets toward a career in the United States Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin R. Pacheco) Details Download Inspiration flight High school students from the greater Jackson, Miss., area sit on the ramp of an MC-130J Commando II during an inspiration flight with the 15th Special Operations Squadron near Jackson, Miss., Sept. 13, 2024. The inspiration flight was designed to spark interest in aviation-related careers for the next generation of Airmen and air commandos. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Miranda Mahoney) Details Download Hot pit refueling U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 131st Bomb Wing, Missouri Air National Guard, begin preparations for a hot pit refuel on a B-2 Spirit at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Sept. 10, 2024. Hot pit refueling involves providing fuel to an aircraft immediately after it lands and engines running to minimize time spent on the ground and extend power projection capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Eric Summers Jr.) Details Download Among the flames Reserve Airmen from the 624th Civil Engineering Squadron confront a simulated jet fuel fire as part of a joint training exercise in Kahului, Hawaii, Sept. 8, 2024. The exercise involved multiple military units and local firefighters working together to enhance firefighting techniques. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Victoriya Tarakanova) Details Download Sunset takeoff A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II takes off at RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom, Sept. 16, 2024. The 48th Fighter Wing dedicates allotted flying hours during hours of darkness to ensure Airmen are prepared to deter potential adversaries and defend NATO territory anytime, anywhere. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alexander Vasquez) Details Download 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. 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