The UAEAF trained their F-16 pilots with the 162nd Fighter Wing / 148th Fighter squadron from Tucson International Airport (AZ). In 2004, Lockheed Martin delivered to Tucson the first UAE-purchased F-16E/F Desert Falcon Block 60s. On 20 October 2010, the last Desert Falcons departed Tucson for the UAE. Some F-16s flew with US-style serials from Tucson, like these 00-3008 and 00-3010, both AZ coded and furnished with the standard 162nd FW fin tips colors.

The UAEAF trained their F-16 pilots with the 162nd Fighter Wing / 148th Fighter squadron from Tucson International Airport (AZ). In 2004, Lockheed Martin delivered to Tucson the first UAE-purchased F-16E/F Desert Falcon Block 60s. On 20 October 2010, the last Desert Falcons departed Tucson for the UAE. Some F-16s flew with US-style serials including AZ tailcode, but this 3005 was in full standard UAEAF markings.

A Mirage 2000D parked at the platform of Souda (Crete), ready for another mission in support of Operation Unified Protector, the fight against the Libyan regime of Khadaffi.

Two 2000Ds parked at Souda during Operation Unified Protector OUP), the fight against the Libyan regime of Khadaffi.

A Mirage 2000D being prepared by the ground crew for another mission in support of Operation Unified Protector, the fight against the Libyan regime of Khadaffi. On the foreground GBU-22s are seen.

This former CH-47C (fms serial 93-0927, c/n B.706/E.006) was modified by Boeing to CH-47D late 1993 and returned to the Royal Australian Army in mid 1995. The Chinook was deployed to Afghanistan and heavily used. After its deployment, it was returned to homebase RAAF Townsville/Intl, (also known as Garbut Barracks). On 15 April 2015, this Chinook was withdrawn from use and made its final flight to RAAF Point Cook for preservation in the RAAF museum. Since then is is reported as stored at this location, fully cocooned.

Deployed to Kandahar (Afghanistan), a Rafale C flew always with a Mirage 2000D its mission as the Rafale was - at that moment - not cleared yet for laser-targeting operations. So the Mirage 2000 set the beam for the weapons of the Rafale. This Rafale carries four GBU-12 Paveway IIs (each Mk82 weights 500lb) underneath its wings, quite a heavy load.

A Mirage 2000D with a lot of mission marks on its nose and fully armed was seen at the platform of Souda (Crete), ready for another mission in support of Operation Unified Protector, the fight against the Libyan regime of Khadaffi.

This Black Hawk, assigned to B company of the 5th Batalion / 101st Aviation Regiment is normally based at Fort Campbell, Kentucky but here seen deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom to Kandahar.

This C4 of the Lyneham Transport Wing (LTW) was deployed to Kandahar (Afghanistan) in support of British and coalition troops during Operation Enduring Freedom

Hilarious: This Dutch Chinook had a bird strike over Afghanistan. That caused a clear visible dent in the black radome. The little damaged and robust built Chinook could continue its flight. Later during my deployment to Kandahar, I told this story to an F-16 pilot on QRA duty. With a complete astonished but spontaneous look he said: "Huh, how's that possible?? Birds can only hit the rear of a Chinook in flight!!". On the picture, the concerning H-47 is seen over one of the few lakes in Kandahar province. Chinooks stole my heart during the deployment. So versatile and such a dangerous mission!

Leaving deploment location Kandahar on high speed, and on request the pilot banked left for the picture. This Mirage 2000D with two GBU-12s under the centreline on its way to a Taliban target.

With British Gulf International's "BG" logo on the tail.

In December 2007, the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, Task Force Destiny, deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The B/5th Batalion "Lancers" supported the 101st with dozens of Black Hawks, like this 90-26303. This Black Hawk was written off on 17 April 2017 when the helicopter went down on the Breton Bay Golf Course (near Naval Air Station Patuxent River, MD).

This Mirage 2000NK2, well armed with precision guided bombs, departs from Souda (Crete) for another mission in support of Operation Unified Protector, the fight against the Libyan regime of Khadaffi.

This Mirage 2000D, well armed with air to air missiles and precision guided bombs, departs from Souda (Crete) for another mission in support of Operation Unified Protector, the fight against the Libyan regime of Khadaffi.