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.

An F-15E Strike Eagle lands on the flightline at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, Jan. 20, 2016. The first F- 15 took flight in July 1972. Since then, many improvements have been made to the aircraft.

An F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron finishes final checks before departing on a sortie in support of ground operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, Jan. 6, 2016. The 421st EFS, based out of Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, is the only dedicated fighter squadron in the country and continuously supports Operation Freedom’s Sentinel and the NATO Resolute Support missions. 

Tech. Sgt. Matthew Beck, of the 455th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, gives a thumbs-up from the wing of a C-130 Hercules after running an engine test at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Jan. 12, 2016. The 455th EAMXS ensures aircraft are prepared for flight and return them to a mission-ready state once they land.

An Airman from the 455th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron climbs through the hatch of a C-130J Super Hercules after an engine test at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Jan. 12, 2016. The 455th EAMXS ensures aircraft are prepared for flight and return them to a mission-ready state once they land. 

Aircrew members assigned to the 20th Special Operations Squadron prepare to land a CV-22 Osprey Jan. 7, 2016, at Melrose Air Force Range, N.M. The aircraft landed to pick up Command Sgt. Maj. William Thetford, the U.S. Special Operations Command senior enlisted adviser, during his visit to Cannon Air Force Base, N.M.

First Lt. Matthew Sanders, a 421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron pilot, prepares for a combat sortie in an F-16 Fighting Falcon at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Jan. 17, 2016. Airmen assigned to the 421st EFS, known as the “Black Widows,” are deployed from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel and NATO’s Resolute Support missions.