210929-N-IW069-1033 PHILIPPINE SEA (Sept. 29, 2021) An F/A-18E Super Hornet, assigned to the ?Golden Dragons of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 192, launches off the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), Sept. 29, 2021. The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability through alliances and partnerships while serving as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Isaiah Williams)
220301-N-UD000-1109 ATLANTIC OCEAN (March 1, 2022) An F/A-18 F Super Hornet, assigned to the “Sidewinders” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 86, preparers to land on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), March 1, 2022. George H.W. Bush provides the national command authority flexible, tailorable war fighting capability through the carrier strike group that maintains maritime stability and security in order to ensure access, deter aggression and defend U.S., allied and partner interests. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Bryan Valek)
210529-N-ML137-1052 PHILIPPINE SEA (May 29, 2021) An EA-18G Growler attached to the Shadowhawks of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 141 approaches the flight deck of the U.S. Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ronald Reagan, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5, provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the United States, as well as the collective maritime interests of its allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Samantha Jetzer)
201120-N-YO638-1237 PENSACOLA, Fla. (Nov. 20, 2020) Lead solo pilot Cmdr. Ben Walborn, assigned to the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, performs the sneak pass during a training flight over Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola. The Blue Angels are conducting training flights over Pensacola to build flight and maintenance proficiency on the new F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet platform and maintain readiness. The 2021 show season will be the Blue Angels’ first year flying the Super Hornet platform as well as the 75th anniversary of the team. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Cody Hendrix)
211116-M-TE205-203 JAPAN (Nov. 16, 2021) U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet aircraft with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 112 fly during an aerial refueling exercise in Japan, Nov. 16, 2021. During the exercise, VMFA-112 received fuel from a KC-130J Super Hercules aircraft with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, extending Hornet?s maximum range capabilities. Marines with VMFA-112, based out of Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas are on a rotational unit deployment program at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni to maintain regional stability and a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Booker T. Thomas III)
211014-N-HS181-1477 BAY OF BENGAL (Oct. 14, 2021) An EA-18G Growler, assigned to the “Gauntlets” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 136, flies over the Bay of Bengal as part of MALABAR 2021, Oct. 14, 2021. MALABAR 2021 is a maritime exercise designed to improve integration, address common maritime security priorities and concerns, enhance interoperability and communication, and strengthen enduring relationships between the Royal Australian Navy, Indian Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and U.S. maritime forces. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Haydn N. Smith)
211017-N-HS181-1473 BAY OF BENGAL (Oct. 17, 2021) An F-35C Lightning II assigned to the “Argonauts” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147 flies over the Bay of Bengal as part of Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) 2021, Oct. 17, 2021. MPX 2021 is a multilateral maritime exercise between the Royal Australian Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, U.K. Royal Navy, and U.S. maritime forces, focused on naval cooperation, interoperability and regional security and stability in the Indo-Pacific and is an example of the enduring partnership between Australian, Japanese, U.K. and U.S. maritime forces, who routinely operate together in the Indo-Pacific, fostering a cooperative approach toward regional security and stability. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Haydn N. Smith)
SR-71 Blackbird SR-71, unofficially known as the “Blackbird,” is a long-range, advanced, strategic reconnaissance aircraft. The first flight took place on Dec. 22, 1964. The U.S. Air Force retired its fleet of SR-71s Jan. 26, 1990, but returned them in 1995 until January 1997. Throughout its nearly 24-year career, the SR-71 remained the world’s fastest and highest-flying operational aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Michael Haggerty)