Above Afghanistan

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon receives fuel from an Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker over Afghanistan, Dec. 29, 2015. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Corey Hook

Greyhound Landing

A U.S. Navy C-2A Greyhound prepares to land on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman in the Arabian Gulf, Dec. 31, 2015. The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group is supporting Operation Inherent Resolve and other security efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class J. R. Pacheco

In Flight

An F/A-18C Hornet launches from the flight deck of aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman in the Arabian Gulf, Dec. 31, 2015. The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group is deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. The hornet is part of the “Rampagers” of Strike Fighter Squadron 83. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class J. R. Pacheco

US Marines fuel Spanish fighters mid-flight

Three Eurofighter Typhoons with the Spanish Air Force escort a U.S. Marine Corps KC-130J Hercules during an aerial refueling mission, Aug. 13, in Spain. Bilateral exercises such as this one are how Spain and the U.S. foster one of the closest defense partnerships around the world.

Dancing with a Dragon: a pilot’s tale

Staff Sgt. Sigfred, Dragon Aircraft Unit maintainer for the U-2 Dragon Lady reconnaissance aircraft, removes aircraft blocks prior to the departure of a U-2 at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, Dec. 10, 2015. Despite the variety of manned and unmanned aircraft that have been proposed to take over the U-2’s ISR role in the 60 years since its activation, it still remains a primary reconnaissance aircraft for the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kentavist P. Brackin/released)