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.

Capt. Thomas Bernard, a 36th Airlift Squadron C-130 Hercules pilot, performs a visual confirmation with night vision goggles during a training mission over the Kanto Plain, Japan, Oct. 14, 2015. Crews from Yokota Air Base, Japan, regularly conduct night flying operations to ensure they’re prepared to respond to a variety of contingencies throughout the Indo-Asia Pacific region.

A C-17 Globemaster III lands at 5 Wing Goose Bay, Canada, Oct. 14, 2015. The aircraft carried personnel and cargo participating in Vigilant Shield 16. From Oct. 15-26, approximately 700 members from the Canadian Armed Forces, the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Navy, and the U.S. Air National Guard are deploying to Iqaluit, Nunavut, and 5 Wing Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, for exercise Vigilant Shield 16. 

Staff Sgt. Matthew Lawson, assigned to the 455th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron, works to complete a 400-hour phase inspection on an F-16 Fighting Falcon Oct. 18, 2015, at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. The phase inspection team conducts inspections after every 400 hours of flight. 

Goose Bay flightline management plow the flightline during Vigilant Shield 16 at 5 Wing Goose Bay, Canada, Oct. 17, 2015. From Oct. 15-26, 2015, approximately 700 members from the Canadian Armed Forces, the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Navy, and the U.S. Air National Guard are deploying to Iqualuit, Nunavut, and 5 Wing Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, for Exercise Vigilant Shield 16. 

The Hill Air Force Base Honor Guard presents the colors during an F-35A Lightning II aircraft unveiling ceremony Oct. 14, 2015, at the Hill AFB, Utah. The unveiling commemorated the beginning of a new era in combat airpower at Hill. Ceremony attendees included military leaders, state and local dignitaries, industry partners, and base personnel.

A C-130 Hercules flies over Izu Peninsula, Japan, Oct. 14, 2015. Performing regular in-flight operations gives all related personnel real-world experience to stay prepared for contingency situations and regular operations.

A F-15C Eagle, piloted by 1st Lt. Johnathan Pavan from the 144th Fighter Wing out of Fresno, Calif., takes off from 5 Wing Goose Bay, Canada, while participating in exercise Vigilant Shield 16 Oct. 20, 2015. From Oct 15-26, approximately 700 members from the Canadian Armed Forces, the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy and the U.S. Air National Guard are deploying to Iqaluit, Nunavut, and 5 Wing Goose Bay, Newfoundland Labrador, for Vigilant Shield 16. 

Staff Sgt. Adam Luna, a 41st Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Unit aerial repair technician, conducts a post-operations check on an EC-130H Compass Call following a mission Oct. 20, 2015, at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. The Compass Call is an airborne tactical weapon system using a heavily modified version of the C-130 Hercules airframe. Luna is deployed from the 355th Equipment Maintenance Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.

Colorado Air National Guard Airmen from the 233rd Space Group, Greeley Air National Guard Station, Colo., load a Mission Vehicle 118 onto a C-17 Globemaster III at Buckley Air Force Base, Colo., Oct. 17, 2015.