AF Week in Photos U.S. Air Force Logo Sept. 8, 2023 Twice the Lightning Two U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs from the 421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron taxi on the runway at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, Sept. 5, 2023. In coordination with regional allies, partners and the U.S. Navy, the F-35s partnered with A-10 Thunderbolts and F-16 Fighting Falcons in the U.S. Central Command theater to monitor the Strait of Hormuz. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Leah Ferrante) Details Download Proof of concept A defender with the 99th Security Forces Squadron trains on how to secure an airfield during the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center’s final Combat Support Training Range proof of concept at Fort Bliss, Texas, Aug. 16, 2023. The CSTR initiative expands multi-functional training opportunities for installation and mission support Airmen to practice for future adaptive operations and agile combat employment in contested environments and austere locations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Malcolm McClendon). Details Download Ready 24/7 A C-17 Globemaster III assigned to the 60th Air Mobility Wing at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., awaits its next flight during exercise Turbo Distribution 23-2 at Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield, N.Y., Aug. 27, 2023. The joint training exercise evaluates a unit’s capability to rapidly open a forward operating base in an austere environment during a real-world deployment scenario. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Warner) Details Download Salute to Service Senior Airman Christopher Williams, 21st Civil Engineer Squadron engineer, takes a photo with the National Football League and Denver Broncos quarterback, Russell Wilson, during the USAA Salute to Service Boot Camp at the UCHealth Training Center in Denver, Colo., Aug. 29, 2023. Service members were escorted onto the Broncos’ practice field to watch a scrimmage and meet the players. (U.S. Space Force photo by Senior Airman Brooke Wise) Details Download Red Flag refuel Two F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 18th Aggressor Squadron, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, fly in formation during RED FLAG-Alaska 23-3 over the Joint Pacific-Alaska Range Complex, Alaska, Aug. 18, 2023. The 18th AS supports Red Flag-Alaska by contributing knowledge of adversarial tactics, techniques and procedures to participating units. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Andrew Britten) Details Download Suppressive care An Airman assigned to the 27th Special Operations Security Forces Squadron Deployed Aircraft Ground Response Element fires blank rounds from an M249 Squad Automatic Weapon during a Medic Rodeo training scenario at Melrose Air Force Range, N.M., Aug. 23, 2023. Participants in the annual medical competition were subject to three days of challenges, including scenarios designed to train competitors on tactical combat casualty care and the new Air Force Medical Service initiative, Medic-X. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Elora J. McCutcheon) Details Download Airborne insertion U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 165th Quartermaster Brigade Aerial Delivery Company-Airborne Det 1 jump from a U.S. Air Force MC-130J during a U.S. Army and Qatar Joint Special Forces airborne insertion exercise in Doha, Qatar, Aug. 17, 2023. The exercise provided an avenue for practicing tactics, techniques and procedures in a joint environment while building partnerships between the U.S. and Qatari military. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Devin Boyer) Details Download Three days of Thunder The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Team “Thunderbirds” perform at the Cleveland National Air Show, Ohio, Sept. 2, 2023. This marked the first time the Thunderbirds performed a three-day show in 2023. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Breanna Klemm) Details Download Touchdown! Air Force quarterback Zac Larrier celebrates with Lt. Gen. Richard M. Clark, Air Force Academy superintendent, after scoring a touchdown against Robert Morris University on Sept. 2, 2023, during a game in Falcon Stadium at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. Air Force defeated Robert Morris 42-7 in their regular season opener and the win marks their 17th straight season-opening win. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley) Details Download Taxi! A U.S. Air Force RC-135 Rivet Joint assigned to the 763rd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron taxis on the flightline during Operation Agile Spartan at Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Greece, Aug. 20, 2023. The large-scale exercise reinforced the U.S. commitment to its regional partners across the Middle East by developing and maintaining missions in unpredictable ways, rapidly responding to the needs of joint and coalition commanders. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Leon Redfern) Details Download Postflight inspection Airman 1st Class Zachary Nieto, 71st Rescue Generation Squadron electrical and environmental systems journeyman, conducts a postflight inspection at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., Aug. 31, 2023. Four HC-130J Combat King IIs returned after a temporary evacuation because Hurricane Idalia hit Moody AFB and the surrounding Valdosta communities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Rachel Coates) Details Download Bird’s eye view Airmen take in the view from the rear of a 79th Rescue Squadron HC-130J Combat King II as it operates in Louisville, Ky., Sept. 6, 2023. The 79th RQS falls under the 563rd Rescue Group, which directs flying operations for one of the Air Force’s only active-duty rescue wings dedicated to combat search and rescue. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Abbey Rieves) Details Download Ammo press Staff Sgt. Johnny White, 816th Security Forces Squadron executive aircraft security team leader, presses an ammo can overhead at the Defender Challenge tryout at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Aug 30, 2023. The Defender Challenge is an all-star competition featuring security forces from the Air Force and Space Force major commands. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Matthew-John Braman) Details Download Cattle drive Col. Patrick Brady-Lee, 97th Air Mobility Wing deputy commander, rides a horse during the 25th Annual Cattle Drive at Altus Air Force Base, Okla., Aug. 24, 2023. Brady-Lee helped guide the cattle around the base as part of the annual tradition. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Heidi Bucins) 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. To view all Week in Photos collections, click here.