By Staff Sgt. Jarrod Chavana
Air Force Public Affairs Agency
Since the conception of war planes, Airmen have figured out ways to personalize these aircraft and make them their own. During World War I, the artwork focused on squadron pride. During World War II and beyond, these paintings became more intricate and personal. I would call some of them masterpieces because they reflect the creativity and craftsmanship of the pilots and aircrew who flew these aircraft. During World War II, some Airmen and artists would make additional money and boost morale by incorporating these murals onto the noses or bodies of aircraft.
I thought I would go through some of the Air Force’s archives and find some great examples and share them with you. I will say, some of the nose art from World War II and later could make our mothers blush.
“Lets Make a Deal” nose art from a Boeing B-52G that flew in Operation Desert Storm is on display in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Released)
By Tech. Sgt. Steve Grever
Air Force Public Affairs Agency
The C-130 celebrated its 60th anniversary of service in 2014, and the venerable aircraft is still a mighty workhorse for the Air Force today. It’s illustrious history has seen the C-130 take on many modifications to accomplish a variety of Air Force missions to include airlift, aeromedical, personnel and cargo airdrop and weather reconnaissance to name a few.
While there have been hundreds of different variants of the C-130 since 1954, the current C-130J model has five variants that continue to prove that the C-130 is one of the Air Force’s most flexible and resilient airframes in its history.
Take a look at the infographic below to learn more about the general characteristics and missions of each of the C-130J’s five variants.
By Senior Airman Michelle Patten
Air Force Public Affairs Agency
Twenty-four hour operations in the Air Force mean Airmen get the chance to see beautiful sunsets all over the world. Click on these photos of our favorite sunsets around the Air Force to see a larger image.
U-2 pilots prepare to land a TU-2S at sunset Jan. 22, 2014, at Beale Air Force Base, Calif. TU-2S are trainer aircraft used to gain proficiency before pilots deploy for operational missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Bobby Cummings/Released)
A 54th Fighter Group pilot prepares for takeoff during a night flying training sortie at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., Aug. 6, 2014. F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 54th Fighter Group train over the White Sands Missile Range’s 10,000 square mile range. The 54th FG is a detachment of Luke AFB, Ariz., and is stationed on Holloman to facilitate high-speed training, live fire weapons training, and night flying operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Aaron Montoya /Released)
Two F-15E Strike Eagles are parked on the flightline Feb.10, 2014, as the sun sets over Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. More than 3,200 service members and 125 aircraft from joint U.S. and allied combat forces from around the world participate in Red Flag 14-1, hosted by the 414th Combat Training Squadron. The main objective of the exercise is to increase capabilities to defend against future threats. The F-15Es are assigned to the 391st Fighter Squadron, Mountain Home AFB, Idaho. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lorenz Crespo/Released)
A U.S. Air Force catamaran, from the 6th Security Forces Marine Patrol Flight of MacDill Air Force Base, cruises on Tampa Bay in Tampa, Fla., Jan. 25, 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III/Released)
A pararescueman assigned to the 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron jumps from a HC-130J Combat King Jan. 9, 2014, near Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Airmen with the 82nd ERS are first responders for personnel recovery at the Combined Joint Task Force Horn Of Africa. Their mission in Djibouti is to provide personnel recovery coverage for both fixed and rotary wing aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Staci Miller/Released)
Airmen from the 1st Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, work on an AC-130U Spooky Gunship on Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Nov. 3, 2014. The 1st SOAMXS was on MCAS Miramar for a 1st Special Operations Wing Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Christopher Callaway/Released)
The sun sets in Tucson, Ariz., as an HC-130J Combat King II flies to its home station at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., May 9, 2014. During flight, the pilots refer to their heads-up display, which aids in flight control and navigation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Betty R. Chevalier/Released)
A 23rd Special Tactics Training Squadron student guards the perimeter in a counter-insurgency exercise on the range at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The exercise provided critical training in counter-insurgency tactics, land navigation and mission planning to potential Air Force combat controllers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Cheryl Foster/Released)
The sunset across the Ohio valley provides the perfect backdrop for a 445th Airlift Wing C-17 Globemaster III flying a training mission over Fairborn, Ohio, Sept. 24, 2013. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Frank Oliver/Released)
A U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules assigned to the 777th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron at Balad Air Base, Iraq, takes off into the sunset Feb. 11, 2007. Balad personnel can expect to see temperatures hit 100 degrees regularly by the end of May, with temperatures reaching as high as 120 degrees in the summer months. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Michael R. Holzworth/Released)
Airman 1st Class Byron Wright, 28th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, performs a post-flight inspection on a B-1B Lancer, Nov. 9 at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D. Inspections are performed before and after every flight to ensure mission readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joshua J. Seybert/Released)
Firefighters from the fire department at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich., work to extinguish a fire during a training exercise on the base, Sept. 2, 2011. The firefighters worked on a variety of scenarios involving a fire in and around an aircraft simulator. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dan Meinhard/Released)
By Senior Airman Michelle Patten
Air Force Public Affairs Agency
If you haven’t been following the Air Force Instagram page this year, you’ve missed out seeing awesome Airmen in action and some especially stellar photos. But, don’t despair! We’ll catch you up on the highlights with our top 10 shots based on what our followers talked about and loved.
1. 101st Rescue Squadron HH-60 Pave Hawk training over water
An HH-60 Pave Hawk conducts training Nov. 25, 2014, around Westhampton Beach, N.Y. During this time the aircrew tested the aircraft’s defensive systems and conducted a simulated rescue of a downed Airman. The HH-60 is with the 101st Rescue Squadron. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Christopher S. Muncy) (This photo was created using Instagram) #aircraft #Avgeek #Military #POTD
By Senior Airman Michelle Patten
Air Force Public Affairs Agency
To see different types of animals in your local area, you may take a trip to your city zoo. However, there are other “animals” people can browse at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force that made their mark on Air Force history. Can’t make the trip to the museum at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio? No worries! We have an exhibit full of Air Force “animals” for you to see right here. Can you think of any other animals serving or making an impact in the Air Force?
