Photos: Remembering 2025 in the Air Force and Space Force

PHOTOS: Remembering 2025 in the Air Force and Space Force

Dec. 24, 2025

As 2025 draws to a close, Air & Space Forces Magazine selected several dozen of the best photos capturing exploration, activities, achievements, challenges, salutes, history, and milestones for Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Check them out below:

Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink gives his keynote address at the 2025 Air, Space & Cyber Conference on Sept. 21.
Photo by Jud McCrehin, Air & Space Forces Association

Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink presides over the ceremony of Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach during his assumption of responsibility ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, Md. Nov. 18, 2025. U.S. Air Force photo by Chad Trujillo

In the Air

The Air Force Thunderbirds perform at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Sept. 12, 2025. Photo by Chris Gordon/Air & Space Forces Magazine

Maj. Joshua Burress, a pilot with the U.S. Air Force Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, prepares to be refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker with the 121st Air Refueling Wing over the skies of Virginia, June 18, 2025. U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Ivy Thomas

A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor assigned to the 433rd Weapons Squadron is reflected in the sunglasses of Airman 1st Class Dylan Lovett, 91st Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 boom operator, as the fighter receives fuel during exercise Combat Archer over the Gulf of America, Sept. 12, 2025. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexander Cook

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle performs a flare check over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, March 9, 2025. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Zachary Willis

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Dylan Weil, 16th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, looks out over the water from a C-17 Globemaster III during cargo airdrop proficiency training over the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility in support of Talisman Sabre 2025, July 25, 2025. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Eric Summers Jr.

U.S. Air Force pararescuemen assigned to the 52nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron execute a military free fall jump from an HC-130J Combat King II over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Aug. 5, 2025. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Natalie Jones

A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron flies over Europe during Bomber Task Force 25-2 at RAF Fairford, United Kingdom, Feb. 27, 2025. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Chris Hibben

U.S. Air Force Capt. Ethan Smith, Pacific Air Forces F-16 Demonstration Team pilot, performs high-intensity aerial maneuvers in an F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 51st Fighter Wing during a media day as part of Osan Air Power Days 2025, May 9, 2025, at Osan Air Base, South Korea. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Peter Reft

A B-2 Spirit leads a formation of a B-1 Lancer, B-52 Stratofortress, A-10 Warthog, F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-15 Eagle, and F-22 Raptor, assigned to Air Combat Command and Global Strike Command, during the Hyundai Air and Sea show at Miami, Florida, May 24, 2025. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Lauren Cobin

A Pararescueman, assigned to the 308th Rescue Squadron, jumps out of an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter during a simulated Combat Search and Rescue demonstration at the 2025 Cocoa Beach Air Show off the coast of Florida, July 13, 2025. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Darius Sostre-Miroir

A U.S. Air Force pararescueman assigned to the 48th Rescue Squadron descends into the ocean to rescue a simulated downed pilot during RED FLAG-RESCUE 25-3 at Oxnard, California, Aug. 5, 2025. The pararescueman was lowered into the ocean before locating, securing and preparing the simulated pilot for hoist extraction. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman William Finn V

An F-22 Raptor performs an aerial demonstration at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia, Sept. 19, 2025. Rapid changes in angle of attack create visible vapor around the aircraft, providing a clear view of its aerodynamic performance. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Lauren Cobin

A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor performs an aerial demonstration alongside a P-51 Mustang during the Heritage Flight tribute at the New York Air Show in Montgomery, New York, Aug. 24, 2025. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Lauren Cobin

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

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) intercepts a Russian Tu-95 bomber over the Bering Sea, July 22, 2025. The intercept occurred after the Tu-95 entered the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone, a monitored airspace where foreign military aircraft are tracked to ensure national security and situational awareness. U.S. Department of Defense photo

On the Ground

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Armando Suarez and Airman Adrien Alvarez, 86th Security Forces Squadron members, apply verbal judo skills at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Nov. 25, 2025. Verbal judo is a core form of tactical communication that Phoenix Ravens learn to neutralize threats, strengthening mission readiness while protecting Airmen and aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Rebecca Harima)

Chief Master Sgt. Brian Haney, 732nd Air Mobility Squadron aerial port superintendent, stands watch during Chief Initial Mission Command Training at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., May 22, 2025. Chief Initial Mission Command Training reimagines the chief master sergeant induction process, focusing on the application of mission command at a strategic level, developing senior leaders as primary advisors capable of translating commanders’ intent into action. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Zeeshan Naeem)

An Airman stands guard in a watch tower during exercise Nexus Forge at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, Feb. 8, 2025. The exercise is a large-scale Expeditionary Air Base certification event designed to demonstrate the readiness and skill development of Airmen while focusing on increasing interoperability among U.S. and allied forces in the Pacific theater, furthering efforts to secure a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Erica Webster)

Senior Airman Henry Maddock, 375th Security Forces Squadron patrolman, fires an M240 light machine gun during 12th Air Task Force training on Camp McGregor, N.M., Jan. 16, 2025. Led by the 12th Combat Air Base Squadron and cadres from U.S. Army TF Black Scorpion, 2-363rd Training Support Battalion, 12th ATF Airmen from Scott, Barksdale, and Little Rock Air Force Bases and Joint Base Langley-Eustis conducted combat-focused training to ensure joint force maneuver in combat and mission readiness in the Great Power Competition . (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman De’Quan Simmons)

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Blake Goldsmith, 96th Bomber Generation Squadron crew chief, checks brake tie bolts on a B-52H Stratofortress as part of Exercise Global Thunder 26 at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, Oct. 17, 2025. Global Thunder is an annual command and control exercise designed to train U.S. Strategic Command forces and assess joint operational readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Laiken King)

U.S. Airmen prepare to load GBU-31 munition systems onto F-15E Strike Eagles within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Dec. 18, in support of Operation Hawkeye Strike. U.S. Air Force photo

U.S. Soldiers attached to the Iowa National Guard sign GBU-31 munitions systems in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Dec. 18, 2025. U.S. Air Force photo

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jayson Shaffer, 480th Fighter Generation Squadron weapons load crew chief, conducts a visual inspection of a GBU-38 bomb prior to installation during a loading competition at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, Oct. 31, 2025. The event boosts morale and fuels a healthy competitive spirit as Airmen rely on precision, teamwork and technical expertise to safely and efficiently load munitions onto an aircraft in the fastest time possible. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Gretchen McCarty)

The 5th Civil Engineer Squadron’s fire protection team extinguishes a fire during a live aircraft fire exercise at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Sept. 16, 2025. Fire prevention professionals receive regular training to stay ready to handle everything from bush fires to flames caused by burning rocket fuel and hazardous materials. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alyssa Bankston)

A U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron sits on the snow-dusted flightline at Yokota Air Base, Japan, March 19, 2025. The 36th AS is the only forward-based tactical airlift squadron in the Pacific and supports combat operations by providing responsive movement of personnel and equipment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Osakabe)

Staff Sgt. Hunter Allison and Senior Airman Andrew Wright, 23rd Logistics Readiness Squadron hose deployment personnel, drag a hose into position for a Distributed Integrated Combat Turn exercise at Westover Air Reserve Base, Mass., July 24, 2025. The D-ICT provided simultaneous rearming and refueling of multiple fighter jets in under 90 minutes. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Timothy Koster)

Space Force

NASA astronaut and Space Force Guardian Col. Nick Hague, Expedition 72 flight engineer, conducts a six-hour spacewalk in support of science experiments and maintenance on the International Space Station, Jan. 16, 2025. U.S. Air Force photo courtesy of NASA

NASA astronaut and Space Force Col. Nick Hague, fellow SpaceX Crew-9 members astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore – both retired Navy captains, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov land in a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft in the water off the coast of Tallahassee, Fla., March 18, 2025. U.S. Air Force photo courtesy of NASA by Keegan Barber

22NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 launches from Kennedy Space Center, Fla., March 14, 2025, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The Dragon spacecraft, piloted by astronaut and U.S. Air Force Maj. Nichole Ayers on her first spaceflight, is part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. Courtesy photo by Aubrey Gemignani

A United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket carrying the USSF-106 mission successfully launched from SLC-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida on Aug. 12, 2025. U.S. Space Force photo illustration by Gwendolyn Kurzen

Family

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Donald Matts, 480th Fighter Generation Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of engines, embraces his loved ones before a redeployment departure at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, July 23, 2025. The 480th FGS deployed to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to demonstrate the United States’ commitment to peace through strength by partnering with allies, reinforcing deterrence and enhancing regional capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Demi M. Ebert)

Maj. Isaiah Alley, 309th Fighter Squadron director of operations, is greeted with a celebratory spray of water from his daughter and niece, Feb. 19, 2025, at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. As an instructor pilot with the 56th Fighter Wing, Alley played a key role in its mission to train the world’s greatest fighter pilots and combat-ready Airmen. Surrounded by loved ones, he embraced the moment, marking the end of his active-duty service while looking ahead to his next journey in the Air Force Reserve. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Belinda Guachun-Chichay)

Master Sgt. Cameron Stommel of the 158th Fighter Wing returns to South Burlington, Vt., April 22, 2025, after a deployment to Japan. The 158th FW was deployed to Okinawa to support the Vermont Air National Guard’s F-35A Lightning II aircraft. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Chief Master Sgt. Rob Trubia)

Heritage

A cyclist celebrates at the finish of the Memorial to Memorial Ride in Arlington, Va., Sept. 21, 2025. The ride runs from the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kitty Hawk, N.C. to the Air Force Memorial in Arlington. (U.S. Air Force photo by Eric Dietrich)

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Christopher Brown, 60th Force Support Squadron Military and Family Readiness Center superintendent, participates in the 24-Hour Remembrance Run during POW/MIA Memorial Week at Travis Air Force Base, California, Sept. 18, 2025. Team Travis dedicated a week to honor prisoners of war, service members still missing and their families. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration by Brian Collett) (This image was created in color and changed to black-and-white)

U.S. Service members run together during a base wide run at Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado, Oct. 9, 2025. The event showcased the importance of personal fitness and teamwork in maintaining a combat ready force. (U.S. Space Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Jordan Thompson)

4/17/2025 AFA’s Grand Opening and 83rd Doolittle Raiders Memorial Toast Photo by Jud McCrehin/ Air & Space Forces Association

Quentin Stambaugh Purple Heart Ceremony in honor of Quentin Stambaugh held at VFW Post 5265 on August 15, 2025 in Spring Grove, Pa. Stambaugh also received the Air Medal during the ceremony-08/15/2025. Photo by Jud McCrehin, Air & Space Forces Association

Training and Education

CyberPatriot National Finals Competition Network Security Master Challenge All Service Division-3/16/2025 Photo by Jud McCrehin/ Air & Space Forces Association

CyberPatriot National Finals Competition System Familiarization-3/15/2025 All Service Division Open and Middle School Divisions Photo by Jud McCrehin/ Air & Space Forces Association

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. — Air Force’s Kam Sanders attempts a layup during a game against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville on Nov. 21, 2025 at Clune Arena in Colorado Springs, Colo. Air Force earned their second win of the season over SIUE with a final score of 77-63. (U.S Air Force Photo by Ray Bahner)

A basic cadet candidate from the class of 2029 receives a haircut at the U.S. Air Force Academy during in-processing, or I-Day, June 25, 2025, in Colorado Springs, Colo. I-Day marks the start of a cadet’s journey to become a commissioned officer in the U.S. Air Force or U.S. Space Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith)