AF Week in Photos U.S. Air Force Logo May 2, 2025 Follow the leader Gen. Kevin B. Schneider, Pacific Air Forces commander, pilots the lead F-22 Raptor during a mission off the coast of O‘ahu, Hawaii, April 8, 2025. PACAF provides ready and lethal forces to ensure stability and security in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Emerson Nuñez) Details Download Controlling the burn U.S. Air Force Airman Acosta Penalo, left, and Keisuke Kawamura, 35th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department firefighters, spray a burning simulated aircraft during a controlled burns exercise at Misawa Air Base, Japan, April 21, 2025. Engaging directly with live-fire scenarios enhances the 35th Fighter Wing’s operational resilience by refining their emergency response capabilities, ensuring rapid containment of fire threats to protect mission-critical assets and personnel. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Hannah Bench) Details Download Water drop A C-130H Hercules from the Nevada Air National Guard’s 152nd Airlift Wing conducts a water drop over Green Valley, Calif., April 24, 2025, as part of Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System Spring Training 2025. Hosted by the California Air National Guard’s 146th Airlift Wing, the training featured classroom instruction, flight exercises and ground operations involving Air Force aircrews, civilian lead plane pilots and support teams from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and other federal agencies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Paula Macomber) Details Download Hold the line Airmen from Malmstrom Air Force Base respond to an ambush during exercise Nimble Auk, April 15, 2025, near Townsend, Mont. During the exercise, teams were sent out on simulated missions and were expected to respond accordingly to any threats or unexpected forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jack Rodriguez Escamilla) Details Download Just dropping by Pararescuemen assigned to the 48th Rescue Squadron conduct a fast-roping exercise from an MV-22B Osprey as part of Weapons and Tactics Instructor course 2-25 at Auxiliary Airfield 2, near Yuma, Ariz., April 23, 2025. The course is a seven-week event hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One, which emphasizes operational integration of the six functions of aviation in support of the Marine Air Ground Task Force, joint and coalition forces. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Fabian Ortiz) Details Download Ready to roll U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Tyler Brummer, 480th Fighter Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot, prepares for takeoff during exercise Turbo Weasel at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, April 14, 2025. The exercise sharpens warfighting capabilities through simulated high-density air combat, enabling aircrew to operate effectively in complex operational environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Demi M. Ebert) Details Download Combat Archer A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon flies through the sky during Combat Archer United Kingdom at RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom, April 9, 2025. Combat Archer UK served as an evaluation exercise that demonstrated effective lethality by integrating the AGR-20 Falco laser-guided rocket to counter one-way drone attacks in a cost-effective manner. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Jakel) Details Download A cut above Airman 1st Class Alavinia Dishmond, 341st Civil Engineer Squadron structural apprentice, cuts a piece of vinyl April 9, 2025, at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. Malmstrom’s sign makers design and produce custom signs that support base operations, safety and communication. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Mary Bowers) Details Download Not so fast A U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II intercepts a Russian Tu-95 “Bear” strategic bomber over the Bering Sea, April 14, 2025. Multiple F-35s were launched to intercept and monitor Russian aircraft, which remained in international airspace roughly 250 nautical miles from Shemya Island in the western Aleutians. NORAD noted that while this type of Russian activity within the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone is routine and not viewed as a threat, it is continuously monitored to safeguard the security of North America. (U.S. Department of Defense photo) Details Download Convoy prep A 90th Missile Wing Joint Light Tactical Vehicle and Payload Transporter are prepared to participate in a Nuclear Convoy Course at Camp Guernsey Joint Training Center, Wyo., April 2, 2025. During the course, Airmen from across 20th Air Force trained on counter-small unmanned aircraft systems, mounted operations, heavy weapons and helicopter integration to strengthen convoy defense. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Michael A. Richmond) Details Download Sharing the load Airmen from the 921st Contingency Response Squadron establish a sling load connection with a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361 at Amedee Army Airfield in Herlong, Calif., April 7, 2025. The 921st CRS took part in Exercise Dragon Spark, a 10-day joint training event focused on enhancing rapid deployment capabilities, expeditionary logistics and interoperability between Air Force and Marine Corps units. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Cassidy Fisher) Details Download Scanning the terrain Senior Master Sgt. Justin Nettles, 908th Flying Training Wing special missions aviator, looks out of an MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopter after landing at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., April 22, 2025. Special missions aviators perform many roles, including visual terrain and obstacle clearance checks to ensure the landing zone is clear of hazards like trees, wires, uneven ground or personnel. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Erica Webster) 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.