The United States Air Force serves as America’s aerial and orbital warfare branch. Born as a component of the U.S. Army, the Air Force diverged into its own branch on 18 September, 1947. Since then, it has gone on to become the largest, most technological advanced air force boasted by any nation on the planet.
The U.S. Air Force provides air support for America’s land and naval forces, as well as aiding in the recovery of military personnel in the field. Outside the scope of air support for troops in the fight, the Air Force also serves as the nation’s primary nuclear deterrent, overseeing two components of the nation’s nuclear triad in the form of nuclear capable bombers the B-2 and B-52, and more than 406 nuclear tipped intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Aside from providing air support in combat operations around the globe, the Air Force has also played an active role in show of force missions over the Korean peninsula and the contested South China Sea, and has seen a recent increase in emphasis on orbital operations. Here are the best pictures they took along the way this year:
#5 – Night Jump Training
Pararescuemen from the 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron prepare for a night jump from a C-130 Hercules over Grand Bara, Djibouti March 20, 2017. The training allowed the pararescuemen to maintain their qualifications on night jumps. The 82nd ERQS conducts full spectrum personnel recovery, casualty evacuation, medical evacuation, and sensitive item recovery in support of Defense Department personnel. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Joshua J. Garcia)
#4 – .50 Cal in Flight
An Air Commando from the 7th Special Operations Squadron, 352d Special Operations Wing fires a .50 caliber machine gun aboard a CV-22 Osprey during a flight around southern England, Sept. 11, 2017. The Osprey flew out to a range where the crew sighted, loaded and ran through technical and tactical procedures to re-qualify on the .50 Caliber weapons system.
#3 – Fighting Fires at Home
A C-130J Hercules assigned to the 146th Airlift Wing, Channel Islands Air National Guard Base, Port Hueneme, Calif., drops fire-retardant chemicals onto a ridge line above Santa Barbara, Calif., Dec. 13, 2017, in an effort to contain the Thomas wildfire. (U.S. Air Force photo by J.M. Eddins Jr.)
#2 – An A-10 Soars
A 75th Fighter Squadron A-10 Thunderbolt II soars away after zooming in to target boats along Choctawatchee Bay during a Combat Hammer evaluation at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Nov. 3, 2017. The boats swarm around the water creating a realistic environment to provide pilots an opportunity to train against maritime targets. The 86th Fighter Weapons Squadron’s Combat Hammer is a weapons system evaluation program for air-to-ground munitions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Samuel King Jr.)
#1 – Joining forces with SpaceX
The United States Air Force serves as America’s aerial and orbital warfare branch. Born as a component of the U.S. Army, the Air Force diverged into its own branch on 18 September, 1947. Since then, it has gone on to become the largest, most technological advanced air force boasted by any nation on the planet.
The U.S. Air Force provides air support for America’s land and naval forces, as well as aiding in the recovery of military personnel in the field. Outside the scope of air support for troops in the fight, the Air Force also serves as the nation’s primary nuclear deterrent, overseeing two components of the nation’s nuclear triad in the form of nuclear capable bombers the B-2 and B-52, and more than 406 nuclear tipped intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Aside from providing air support in combat operations around the globe, the Air Force has also played an active role in show of force missions over the Korean peninsula and the contested South China Sea, and has seen a recent increase in emphasis on orbital operations. Here are the best pictures they took along the way this year:
#5 – Night Jump Training
Pararescuemen from the 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron prepare for a night jump from a C-130 Hercules over Grand Bara, Djibouti March 20, 2017. The training allowed the pararescuemen to maintain their qualifications on night jumps. The 82nd ERQS conducts full spectrum personnel recovery, casualty evacuation, medical evacuation, and sensitive item recovery in support of Defense Department personnel. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Joshua J. Garcia)
#4 – .50 Cal in Flight
An Air Commando from the 7th Special Operations Squadron, 352d Special Operations Wing fires a .50 caliber machine gun aboard a CV-22 Osprey during a flight around southern England, Sept. 11, 2017. The Osprey flew out to a range where the crew sighted, loaded and ran through technical and tactical procedures to re-qualify on the .50 Caliber weapons system.
#3 – Fighting Fires at Home
A C-130J Hercules assigned to the 146th Airlift Wing, Channel Islands Air National Guard Base, Port Hueneme, Calif., drops fire-retardant chemicals onto a ridge line above Santa Barbara, Calif., Dec. 13, 2017, in an effort to contain the Thomas wildfire. (U.S. Air Force photo by J.M. Eddins Jr.)
#2 – An A-10 Soars
A 75th Fighter Squadron A-10 Thunderbolt II soars away after zooming in to target boats along Choctawatchee Bay during a Combat Hammer evaluation at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Nov. 3, 2017. The boats swarm around the water creating a realistic environment to provide pilots an opportunity to train against maritime targets. The 86th Fighter Weapons Squadron’s Combat Hammer is a weapons system evaluation program for air-to-ground munitions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Samuel King Jr.)
#1 – Joining forces with SpaceX
The 45th Space Wing assisted SpaceX in the successful launch of a Falcon 9 rocket carrying the KoreaSat-5A satellite, Oct. 30, 2017, from the NASA Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, Fla. (Courtesy photo by SpaceX)
Images courtesy of the U.S. Air Force
As someone who’s seen what happens when the truth is distorted, I know how unfair it feels when those who’ve sacrificed the most lose their voice. At SOFREP, our veteran journalists, who once fought for freedom, now fight to bring you unfiltered, real-world intel. But without your support, we risk losing this vital source of truth. By subscribing, you’re not just leveling the playing field—you’re standing with those who’ve already given so much, ensuring they continue to serve by delivering stories that matter. Every subscription means we can hire more veterans and keep their hard-earned knowledge in the fight. Don’t let their voices be silenced. Please consider subscribing now.
One team, one fight,
Brandon Webb former Navy SEAL, Bestselling Author and Editor-in-Chief
Barrett is the world leader in long-range, large-caliber, precision rifle design and manufacturing. Barrett products are used by civilians, sport shooters, law enforcement agencies, the United States military, and more than 75 State Department-approved countries around the world.
PO Box 1077 MURFREESBORO, Tennessee 37133 United States
Scrubba Wash Bag
Our ultra-portable washing machine makes your journey easier. This convenient, pocket-sized travel companion allows you to travel lighter while helping you save money, time and water.
Our roots in shooting sports started off back in 1996 with our founder and CEO, Josh Ungier. His love of airguns took hold of our company from day one and we became the first e-commerce retailer dedicated to airguns, optics, ammo, and accessories. Over the next 25 years, customers turned to us for our unmatched product selection, great advice, education, and continued support of the sport and airgun industry.
COMMENTS
There are on this article.
You must become a subscriber or login to view or post comments on this article.