Air Force Releases 2017 Year in Photos

Staff Sgt. Brenton Brown, 822nd Base Defense Squadron fire team leader, fires an M4 rifle during a mission readiness exercise, Oct. 22, 2017, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. The squadron was tested on their capability to effectively operate in an austere environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Janiqua P. Robinson)

A C-130J Hercules assigned to the 146th Airlift Wing, Channel Islands Air National Guard Base, Port Hueneme, Calif., drops fire retardant chemicals onto a ridge line above Santa Barbara, Calif., Dec. 13, 2017, in an effort to contain the Thomas wildfire. (U.S. Air Force photo by J.M. Eddins Jr.)
Airmen from the 820th Base Defense Group low crawl through an obstacle during an Army Air Assault School readiness assessment, Dec. 7, 2017, at Camp Blanding, Fla. The AAA readiness assessment is designed to prepare Airmen for the course curriculum as well as its physical and mental stressors. During AAA, service members are taught an array of skills associated with rotary-winged aircraft, which improves the 820th BDG’s ability to swiftly deploy and defend. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Daniel Snider)
Firefighters work to put out a blaze during nighttime live-fire training, Nov. 9, 2017, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. In addition to combatting fires outside the prop aircraft, firefighters had to enter and combat the fires inside. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Janiqua P. Robinson)

 

 

 

The Air Force successfully launched the ninth Boeing-built Wideband Global SATCOM satellite aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta IV Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle from Space Launch Complex 37B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., March 18, 2017. WGS satellites play an integral part in the strategic and tactical coordination of military operations. With this launch, WGS-9 will significantly enhance the current WGS constellation by providing increased communication capacity and coverage. (Courtesy photo by United Launch Alliance)
A traumatic brain injury patient walks through a virtual reality scenario at the Computer Assisted Rehabilitation Environment Laboratory at National Intrepid Center of Excellence at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., March 20, 2017. The patient is attached to a safety harness and walks on a treadmill on a platform that moves and rotates in conjunction with movements of the projected environment. Motion capture cameras track the patient’s movements via reflective markers that are applied to the patient and supply data on physical deficits to physical therapists. (U.S. Air Force photo by J.M. Eddins Jr.)
Tech. Sgt. Michael Christiansen, a 100th Security Forces Squadron assistant flight chief, draws back a bow and arrow March 28, 2017, at RAF Mildenhall, England. Christiansen was selected to represent U.S. Air Forces in Europe at the 2017 Department of Defense Warrior Games in Chicago where he will compete in the rifle, pistol, recurve archery and sitting volleyball events. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Micaiah Anthony)
The U.S. Air Force’s X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle 4 is seen at NASA ‘s Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Landing Facility in Florida May 7, 2017. Managed by the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, the X-37B program is the newest and most advanced re-entry spacecraft designed to perform risk reduction, experimentation and concept of operations development for reusable space vehicle technologies. (DOD photo courtesy of United Launch Alliance)

 

The two solo U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds’ F-16 Fighting Falcons fly in formation with #5 inverted above #6 during an air show at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., May 21, 2017. The Thunderbirds are highly experienced pilots and support personnel who act as official Air Force ambassadors to massive audiences each year. (U.S. Air Force photo by Greg L. Davis)
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds perform a fly-over as graduates from the Air Force Academy toss their hats in the air at the conclusion of their commencement ceremony in Colorado Springs, Colo., May 24, 2017. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Lee)
Rosalie Philebaum squirts water at her son, Col. Jonathan Philebaum, 932nd Airlift Wing commander, during his fini flight at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., May 31, 2017. Jonathan Philebaum’s wife, JoAnn Philebaum, and their son both look on with delight as he is shocked by his mother’s water blasts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Christopher Parr)
Staff Sgt. Victoria Dames, a 35th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, carries MWD Elvis during the second annual security forces advanced combat skills assessment at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, June 6, 2017. The Defenders Challenge provided Airmen with invaluable interaction with other security forces members by exchanging tactics and skills between those in attendance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Gerald R. Willis)
A 509th Bomb Wing B-2 Spirit conducts a fly-by during the Scott Air Force Base 2017 air show and open house June 11, 2017, which celebrates the base’s 100th anniversary. The B-2 is a multi-role bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions and represents a major milestone in the bomber modernization program. With a crew of two pilots, this aircraft brings a massive firepower to bear, in a short time, anywhere on the globe through impenetrable defenses. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tristin English)
Senior Airman Ryan Green, a combat broadcaster, fires at his target while Tech. Sgt. Samuel Weaver, weapons and tactics training instructor, both assigned to the 1st Combat Camera Squadron, observes his hits during weapons and tactics training on the shooting range at Fort Jackson, S.C., June 22, 2017. The Airmen of the 1st Combat Camera Squadron constantly train for readiness to document combat operations, exercises and other contingencies from the ground and in the air. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Larry E. Reid Jr.)
Lightning strikes behind a B-52H Stratofortress at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Aug. 8, 2017. In a conventional conflict, the B-52 can accomplish strategic attacks, close-air support, air interdiction, offensive counter-air and maritime operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman J.T. Armstrong)
Crew chiefs from the 374th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron await a C-130J Super Hercules engine to start during Exercise Beverly Morning 17-05 at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Aug. 18, 2017. The training is designed to test the ability of Airmen to survive in austere environments with chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive hazards. (U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Osakabe)
Paratroopers assigned to the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, U.S. Army Alaska, descend after jumping from a C-17 Globemaster III out of Joint Base Charleston, S.C., while conducting airborne training over Malemute drop zone, JB Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Aug. 24, 2017. The Soldiers of 4/25 recently completed a series of jumps to ensure they maintain their airborne qualifications. (U.S. Air Force photo by Alejandro Peña)
Senior Airman Austin Hellweg, a 129th Rescue Squadron special missions aviator, carries a dog and leads a family into an HH-60 Pavehawk for extraction to a safer location during the relief effort for Hurricane Harvey, Aug. 31, 2017, in Beaumont, Texas. The relief efforts have a conglomerate of active duty, Air National Guard and Reserve units from all branches aiding the federal government to help Texas recover from Hurricane Harvey. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jordan Castelan)
U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 13th and 14th Fighter Squadrons, take part in an elephant walk in support of exercise Beverly Sunrise 17-07 at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Sept. 16, 2017. The exercise was a simulated deployment to test the readiness of the 35th Fighter Wing, and assessed their ability to meet deployment and wartime requirements. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Deana Heitzman)
An A-10 Thunderbolt II shoots a flare off after receiving fuel from a 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker in support of Operation Inherent Resolve Oct. 6, 2017. The aircraft can loiter near battle areas for extended periods of time and operate in low ceiling and visibility conditions. The wide combat radius, and short takeoff and landing capabilities, permit operations in and out of locations near front lines. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Battles)

For more photos, visit AF Year in Photos:

http://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1414714/af-year-in-photos/