25 Incredible Photographs by the U.S. Air Force

Like many official U.S. Departments, the United States Air Force has an active Flickr Account where they post images for the press and public’s viewing pleasure. With a library of 4,600+ photographs, there’s some really interesting shots published. Below you will find a small collection of images curated from about 50 of their 275 albums. Follow-up posts to come :) Enjoy!

 

F-15E Strike Eagle in Afghanistan, Oct. 6, 2011 | Photograph by Tech. Sgt. Matt Hecht

2.

 

A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft from the Kansas Air National Guard’s 190th Air Refueling Wing prepares to refuel Navy F/A-18 Hornets over Wake Island during an escort mission from Japan to the United States. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ben Fulton)

3.

 

The U.S. Air Force F-16 Thunderbirds demonstration team performs aerial stunts at the “Legacy of Liberty” open house and air show at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., Oct. 8, 2011. The team’s primary mission is to exhibit the capabilities of modern warfighting aircraft and to demonstrate the high degree of skill maintained by Air Force members serving in a variety of career specialties. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman DeAndre Curtiss)

 

 

4.

 

A pararescueman from the 920th Rescue Wing (RQW) at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., free falls from a HC-130P/N King refueling aircraft at 3,500 feet during a Cocoa Beach Air Show demonstration Nov. 4, 2011. The Cocoa Beach Air Show will feature 920th RQW Reserve rescue Airmen, HC-130P/N King aircraft and HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters Nov. 5-6. Pararescuemen are able to perform life-saving missions in the world’s most remote areas, by air, land or water. (Courtesy photo by Mike Brown)

 

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A U.S. Air Force B-2 bomber aircraft performs a flyover of the 98th Rose Bowl, Jan. 2, 2012, in Pasadena, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jennifer Greene)

 

 

6.

 

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob Schaumberg, a 31st Rescue Squadron pararescueman, is hoisted up onboard an Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter by Master Sgt. John Durbin, a 33rd Rescue Squadron flight engineer and squadron superintendent, during a joint field training exercise off the coast of Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 1, 2011. Members from the two squadrons trained together on water survival, search and rescue, close air support, and maritime defense and interdiction. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jarvie Z. Wallace)

 

7.

 

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle fighter aircraft deploys countermeasure flares Nov. 12, 2008, over Afghanistan. The aircraft is assigned to the 391st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon)

 

 

8.

 

U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft from both the 8th and 419th Fighter Wings demonstrate an “elephant walk” formation as they taxi down a runway during an exercise Dec. 2, 2011, at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea. The exercise showcased Kunsan aircrews’ capability to quickly and safely prepare an aircraft for a wartime mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rasheen Douglas)

 

9.

 

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft with the 4th Fighter Squadron receives fuel as part of an air refueling mission over Jordan Oct. 17, 2011, during Eager Tiger Falcon Air Meet 2011. The Eager Tiger Falcon Air Meet is an annual competition and training exercise for countries that fly the F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Asha Kin)

 

 

10.

 

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Justin Evans, a crew chief with the 60th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, rolls a used C-5 Galaxy tire-and-wheel assembly to a collection point after its removal from an aircraft Oct. 6, 2011, at Travis Air Force Base, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lt. Col. Robert Couse-Baker)

 

11.

 

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds execute a maneuver while visitors watch from Falcon Stadium after the graduation ceremonies of the Class of 2009. This was the 51st graduating class, and consisted of 1,046 newly commissioned 2nd Lieutenants (US Air Force photo by Dennis Rogers)

 

 

12.

 

U.S. Air Force Maj. Aaron Jelinek demonstrates the turning performance of a U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft at Pease Air National Guard Base, N.H., during the Boston-Portsmouth Air Show, Aug. 14, 2011. Jelinek is the lead solo pilot for the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Larry Reid Jr.)

 

13.

 

U.S. Air Force Airmen look out the back of a U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft during Operation Christmas Drop (OCD), Dec. 12, 2011. The island of Fais is located within the Yap state of the Micronesian islands and is one of the more than 50 islands that will receive care packages this holiday season as part of OCD. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Carlin Leslie)

 

 

14.

 

A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II ground-attack aircraft is refueled over southern Afghanistan Aug. 18, 2011. The most prominent feature of the A-10 is the 30 mm GAU-8/A Avenger Gatling-gun cannon. This weapon is capable of firing 3,900 rounds a minute and can defeat an array of ground targets, including tanks. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jeffrey Allen)

 

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The first of 15 Block 40 Global Hawk unmanned aircraft reconnaissance system is unveiled by Northrop Grumman and U.S. Air Force officials June 25, 2011 in Palmdale, Calif. This newest addition to the Air Force’s growing fleet of Global Hawks carries an advanced, all-weather multi-platform radar technology insertion program (MP-RTIP) sensor capable of detecting, tracking and identifying stationary and moving targets. (Courtesy photo)

 

 

16.

 

A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II ground attack aircraft waits to refuel Aug. 18, 2011 over southern Afghanistan. The most prominent feature of the A-10 Thunderbolt II is the 30-millimeter GAU-8/A Avenger Gatling-gun cannon. Both the A-10 and GAU-8 entered service in 1977, and the gun accounts for 16 percent of the aircraft’s weight. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jeffrey Allen)

 

17.

 

A F-15 Strike Eagle assigned to the 390th Fighter Squadron, Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, conducts a after burner run during exercise Maple Flag 42 at 4 Wing Cold Lake, Canada, June 9, 2009. Maple Flag is a Canadian-sponsored and Air Combat Command supported exercise, that provides aircrew simulated air and ground combat training to coalition forces in a NATO environment.

(U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Larry E. Reid Jr.)

 

 

18.

 

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Peter Jensen, a loadmaster assigned to the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, collects the straps that restrain airdrop bundles in the back of a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft Sept. 30, 2011. Jensen and the aircrew of the C-17 air dropped 40 bundles to a remote outpost in Afghanistan. Aerial delivery of critical supplies decreases the total number of resupply convoys conducted in high-threat areas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jeffrey Allen)

 

19.

 

F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft with the Thunderbirds, the U.S. Air Force aerial demonstration team, perform during the 2011 Legacy of Liberty Air Show on Oct. 8, 2011, at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman DeAndre Curtiss)

 

 

20.

 

1920s — Capt. Lowell Smith and Lt. John P. Richter, made the first mid-air refueling, June 1923, at Rockwell Field. (U.S. Air Force archive photo)

 

21.

 

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft pitches out while popping flares over Iraq on Nov. 9, 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo)

 

 

22.

 

Nine U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft sit on the ramp before taking off Jan. 10, 2012, from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. Twelve F-16s and approximately 250 Airmen deployed to Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, for a three-month deployment. The Airmen were activated as the 55th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kenny Holston)

 

23.

 

1960s – The F-111 Aardvark was a medium-range interdictor and tactical strike aircraft that also filled the roles of strategic bomber, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare in its various versions. USAF F-111 variants were retired in the 1990s with the F-111Fs retired in 1996 and EF-111s retired in 1998. (U.S. Air Force archive photo)

 

 

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1990s – U.S. Air Force F-16A Fighting Falcon, F-15C Eagle and F-15E Strike Eagle fighter aircraft fly over burning oil field sites in Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm. (U.S. Air Force archive photo)

 

 

25.

 

U.S. Air Force Maj. J.R. Williams, Thunderbird 6, Opposing Solo, performs a Sneak Pass during the Boston-Portsmouth Air Show at Pease Air National Guard Base, N.H., Aug. 14, 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Larry E. Reid Jr.)

Source: Twistedsifter.com

25 Incredible Photographs by the U.S. Air Force

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Top 10 Most Remote American Outposts in the World

To pick where a military base goes has to be an easy job.  Putting a military base in a place where there’s fighting is a no-brainer.  But sometimes you find these bases on tiny islands that can’t be seen, even when you zoom in entirely on Google Maps and have no civilization for miles around.  Why they put bases is there is a mystery.  Here are ten of the most remote military bases.  Seriously, we feel bad for the guys deployed there; they must have huge balls to survive.

10.  Shemya Island

Shemya Island is a teeny weeny outpost off the southern coast of Alaska.  It’s about two miles wide and four miles long, which is good news if you hate driving.  The weather over at Shemya stays at a constant 50 degrees Fahrenheit, so it’s not that bad.  However, there is constant fog year-round so good luck trying to soak up some sun.  The base was established during the Cold War to watch for any suspicious Sovietsatellite launches, and kind of just stuck around.  Nowadays, it houses a United States Air Force radar, surveillance and weather station, and aircraft refueling station.

9.  Andersen Air Force Base

Andersen Air Base was a huge deal back in the 70’s, when it was one of the army’s most crucial FOBs (forward operating bases).  The base dealt with massive attacks, but also was the go to place for ammo and backup.  It was one of the United States’ largest bases in Northern Guam.  Today, not much happens there except some re-fueling and ammunition stockpiling.  The base gained some attention when it served as the emergency landing strip for the Space Shuttle orbiter.

8.  Base at Diego Garcia

With its awesome sounding name, Diego Garcia is a tiny little atoll in the Indian Ocean.  The army has had a base there since the Cold War, mostly so that it can be mobilized in case anything happens in Iran.  Today, it’s used as an ammo center for the offensive in Afghanistan.  The base is held by the Navy, and often holds training exercises for new soldiers and the surrounding (mostly Indian) natives.  Although the island is fairly tropical, seasonal monsoons ensure that troops always carry an umbrella.

7.  Kunsan Air Base

Kunsan Air Base is located in South Korea, and plays host to both the 8^th Fighter Wing of the US Air Force, and the 38^th Air Fighter Group of the Korean Air Force.  Our presence there is really just a precaution, in case North Korea ever decides it’s had enough of that Southern crap.  The base was established during World War II, but was used primarily during the Korean War.  Then it hosted multiple fighter-bomber groups, infantrymen, air wings, and basically everything needed to fight the war.  Civilization-wise, it isn’t entirely cut off from people, but it is located far away from any other American base.

6.  Korengal Valley, Afghanistan

As part of our work in Afghanistan, America has a number of secret military outposts, in remote desert areas, to keep an eye on the Taliban.  One of those is the base at Korengal, which was recently vacated so that the troops could be used elsewhere.  Surrounded by mountains, Korengal has become known as “Enemy Central”, because of the number of attacks on the base.  In its history, the base has lost 40 soldiers, including a gruesome surprise attack on a helicopter that claimed 16 men.  Since we weren’t making any headway there, General McChrystal moved the troops out of there, and into a village where they could protect civilians.

5.  Pine Gap

It’s common knowledge that 90% of the animals in Australia are venomous, which is why a remote outpost in the Outback doesn’t sound very attractive.  Pine Gap used to be primarily an Australian base but then, in 2002, the US Army set up operation and converted the base into a satellite tracking station.  It’s historically famous for basically being the Australian version of Area 51.  Every few months, some rights group or the other marches to it and protests for some Australian issue or the other but, being primarily American, said issue is promptly ignored.

4.  Area 51

Speaking of Area 51, nothing takes the mark for secrecy better than the Holy Grail itself.  Well, used to is more like it.  Area 51 is situated in the middle of Nevada, and is surrounded by miles upon miles of plain desert and the occasional tumbleweed.  For the past 50 years, it has been surrounded by mystery, as crazy nuts everywhere have accused it of harboring aliens or alien technology.  In late 2011, the base’s primary activities during the 50’s were declassified, aliens included.

Well, that depends on your definition of alien.  If by alien, you mean “secret Soviet stuff”, then congrats!  You were totally right!  Area 51 basically was the bunker that the entire stolen Soviet technology went to for examination.  It’s where we found out about fighter jets and the Soviet Nuclear program.  The entire base is operated by tunnels underground, where nuclear testing and other secret tests occur.  So everyone was right; just replace alien with Russian.  Really, what difference is there?

3.  Shamsi Air Base

Shamsi Air Base is located in Pakistan, and is occupied by the CIA for its various illegal drone operations.  For a long time, no one really knew what was going on in the base, even Pakistan.  It was always a sensitive topic at the International Thanksgiving Dinner, probably because Pakistan doesn’t like its property getting blown up by drones every now and then.  After Obama upped his status to “Badass in Chief” back in May of 2011, and took down Bin Laden from an affluent Pakistani neighborhood, Pakistan had enough and the base was abandoned.

2.  Wake Island

Even the name of this place sounds like the location of a zombie apocalypse video game.  Wake Island is administered by the Office of Insular Affairs, U.S Department of the Interior, and an operating US Army base.  The Wake Atoll is located about two-thirds of the way between Honolulu, 2,300 statute miles (3,700 km) to the east and Guam, 1,510 statute miles (2,430 km) to the west, it’s technically an atoll because, in addition to being surrounded by water, the center of the island is also water.  The place may look like an island paradise, but is routinely battered by tropical storms and high humidity.  During World War II, it was the remote outpost that was supposed to keep an eye on Japan, and warn Pearl Harbor if there was to be an attack.  The reason it failed at its job is because, before the infamous attack, Wake Island was hit hard by Japanese bombers.

After miraculously holding off wave after wave of attack, they managed to send a warning out (albeit a little late).  That wasn’t the end for the military base; the US entering of the war led to many more attacks.  One was a surprise attack by the Japanese in 1943 that resulted in the deaths of almost every single soldier on the island.  Of the 98 survivors that were rounded up to kill, one escaped and carved “98 US P.W 5-10-43” on a rock, before he too was captured and beheaded.  Today, the base is largely untouched, but the rock remains as a memorial to those who died in the attack.

1.  Thule Air Base

Thule Air Base is exactly what you would think of when you hear “remote military outpost.”  It is the US’s most northern base in the world, being only 947 miles away from the North Pole, in Northern Greenland.  It is pretty much always ice and snow and cold and everything else you hate.  It doesn’t even have any real purpose.  Seriously, the base was established as a measure against the Soviet Union, but has seen about as much action as a 50-year-old virgin.  Even today, it’s supposed to warn the US against any missiles, except there haven’t been any (like ever, otherwise we’d be at war in Russia).  Its only real purpose is to receive new air cadets, presumably to bet on which ones drop out first.

Written By Mohammed Shariff

Source: www.toptenz.net

Top 10 Most Remote American Outposts in the World

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