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.
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OPERATION HEDGE OF PROTECTION PHASE 2
PST MT CST EST Z
PST MT CST EST Z
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Military History
Historic USAF, USAAF, USN, USMC, USARMY topics of discussion
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As @Snoopy said in Discord, Today marks the 50th anniversary of the first flight of the YF-16 in 1974, leading to what would become the F-16 Fighting Falcon, one of the most successful western fighter designs in history.
The YF-16’s journey began in the early 1970s, born from a competition for a lightweight, multirole fighter. On Jan. 20, 1974, the aircraft’s fate took an unexpected turn. During a high-speed taxi test, a control issue caused the prototype to scrape the runway. Pilot Phil Oestricher, with nerves of steel, made the snap decision to take off, marking the plane’s unofficial debut. Six minutes later, it landed safely, its legacy just beginning. The official first flight followed on Feb. 2nd, ushering in a new era of...