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The Air Force on Jan. 6 released nearly a dozen photos of F-22 and F-35 fighters returning to Puerto Rico after supporting the raid to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro—the first official images of forces who participated in Operation Absolute Resolve.
The photos, taken by Air Forces Southern, show U.S. Air Force F-22s and F-35As, as well as Marine Corps F-35Bs, taxiing and parking in the early hours of Jan. 3, “following military actions in Venezuela,” according to the accompanying captions.
Also visible in the background are Air Force and Marine Corps C-130 variants.
U.S military aircraft park on the flightline following a large-scale strike against Venezuela military targets in support of Operation Absolute Resolve, in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, Jan. 3, 2026. U.S. Air Force Photo
A U.S. Air Force crew chief guides in a F-35A Lightning II following a large-scale strike against Venezuela military targets in support of Operation Absolute Resolve, in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, Jan. 3, 2026. U.S. Air Force Photo
A Marine Corps pilot captain guides in a F-35B Lightning II following a large-scale strike against Venezuela military targets in support of Operation Absolute Resolve, in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, Jan. 3, 2026. U.S. Air Force Photo
A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor parks following a large-scale strike against Venezuela military targets in support of Operation Absolute Resolve, in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, Jan. 3, 2026. U.S. Air Force Photo 
A U.S. Air Force crew chief guides in an F-22 Raptor following a large-scale strike against Venezuela military targets in support of Operation Absolute Resolve, in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, Jan. 3, 2026. U.S. Air Force Photo
A U.S. Air Force crew chief guides in a F-35A Lightning II following a large-scale strike against Venezuela military targets in support of Operation Absolute Resolve, in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, Jan. 3, 2026. U.S. Air Force Photo
U.S. Air Force crew chiefs watch as F-35A Lightning II’s taxi following a large-scale strike against Venezuela military targets in support of Operation Absolute Resolve, in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, Jan. 3, 2026. U.S. Air Force Photo
A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II taxis following military actions in Venezuela in support of Operation Absolute Resolve, Jan. 3, 2026. U.S. Air Force Photo
A U.S. Air Force crew chief watches F-35 Lightning II’s park following a large-scale strike against Venezuela military targets in support of Operation Absolute Resolve, in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, Jan. 3, 2026. U.S. Air Force Photo 
A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor taxis on the runway following a large-scale strike against Venezuela military targets in support of Operation Absolute Resolve, in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, Jan. 3, 2026. U.S. military forces are deployed to the Caribbean in support of the U.S. Southern Command mission, Department of War-directed operations, and the president’s priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking and protect the homeland. (U.S. Air Force Photo)
The photos were taken at Roosevelt Roads Naval Station, the recently reactivated base in Ceiba, Puerto Rico.
While photos and videos of Operation Absolute Resolve have spread across social media, showing strikes at multiple locations in Venezuela, the Pentagon has released no official images of forces in action during the event. Only the White House has released photos, showing President Donald Trump and his national security team monitoring the operation from his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida.
The F-22s and F-35s were among more than 150 aircraft used to support the operation, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. Dan Caine said Jan. 4.
The F-22 Raptors departed Puerto Rico Jan. 5, as Air & Space Forces Magazine previously reported. The F-35s remain, however.
B-1 bombers, F/A-18 Super Hornet fighters, EA-18 Growler electronic attack planes, and E-2 Hawkeye early warning aircraft also supported the operation, along with intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aircraft and numerous drones.
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