Defense 2015 Aviation Week Photo Contest Finalists
Red Flag 15-2 Convergence
Alan Sondak, Las VegasRare moment at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, Red Flag action.
Nellis F-15 on final for 3R, Red Flag 15-2
Alan Sondak, Las VegasOne of those perfect photography moments during Red Flag.
Colorado Albatross
Angelo Bufalino, Highlands Ranch, ColoradoThis L-39 had just landed after flying aggressor sorties with the U.S. military earlier in the day.
'Manik Moon'
Stuart Sanders, Naniamo, British Columbia2014 CF-18 Demonstration Pilot Capt. Adam "Manik" Runge passes in front of the August "Super Moon" during his Twilight Demo at the 2014 Abbotsford International Airshow.
Jumpers Away!
Daniel Adams, New YorkTwo static jump parachutists and World War II reenactors jump from a C-47 Dakota nicknamed "TiCo Belle" during the 2015 TiCo Warbird Airshow in Titusville, Florida.
Osprey Dustup
Daniel Adams, New YorkA U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey kicks up a ton of dust while coming in to land during a Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) demonstration at Rye Playland, New York during Fleet Week New York activities.
C-5 Galaxy Howitzer Unload
Stephen Burke, Vacaville, CaliforniaA C-5M Super Galaxy prepares to unload an M109A6 Paladin howitzer.
F-18 Super Hornet Catapult Launch
Larry Manion, Oxnard, CaliforniaFlight deck of the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) Aircraft Carrier.
Strike Eagle Launch
Daniel Adams, New YorkAn F-15E Strike Eagle from Mountain Home AFB blasts into the skies above Nellis AFB at the start of yet another Red Flag 15-3 sortie.
Magic Carpet approach
Alan Wirth, Lexington Park, MarylandSalty Dog 100 on approach during Magic Carpet testing aboard USS George H.W. Bush.
Umbrella
Apostolos Liakopoulos, Evosmos, GreeceMilitary parade of Thessaloniki, Greece.
Ice Flyin'
Dan Megna, Coronado, CaliforniaA U.S. Coast Guard MH-60T from USCG Kodiak low level over the Arctic ice off Deadhorse, Alaska.
Safe on Deck
Allison Oyler, Chester, MarylandMaryland State Police, September 17 9:24 pm EST.
BuAF pilot and MiG-29
Ognyan Stefanov, Sofia, BulgariaBulgarian air force pilot preparing for a training mission with fully armed MiG-29. Graf Ignatievo Air Base, Bulgaria.
Bulgarian NAVY Panther
Ognyan Stefanov, Sofia, BulgariaBulgarian Navy AS-565MB Panther during SAR training flight. Black Sea coastline, Bulgaria.
French Bastille Salute
Stephen Wolf, Antony, FranceThe French Patrouille de France fly over Paris in a Croix de Lorraine formation, smoke on!
Bastille transport formation
Stephen Wolf, Antony, FranceA French air force A400M transport leads two C-130 Hercules over a Paris landmark, the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel.
French Rafale afterburner turn at the World Aerobatics Competition Air Show
Evan Peers, Pollock Pines, CaliforniaFrench Rafale afterburner turn at the World Aerobatics Competition Air Show in Chateauroux, France.
War Birds
Mark Garfinkel, Winthrop, MassachuusetsA bird soars as four of five F15 fighter aircraft from the Massachusetts National Guard fly over Boston during a scheduled training mission, Nov. 13, 2014.
F-15C Eagle
Ricardo Von Puttkamr, New York, N.Y.F-15C at the Joint Base Andrews Air Show.
On the hell
Hohnson Barros, Brasilia, BrazilEC-725 Caracal helicopter of the Brazilian air force flying in for Amazon sunsets. In flight over Amazon jungle in Brazil.
Attack
Johnson Barros, Brasilia, BrazilH-60L Black Hawk Helicopters attack in the late afternoon. In flight over Amazon jungle Brazil.
Over the jungle
Johnson Barros, Brasilia, BrazilH-60L Black Hawk helicopter of the Brazilian air force flies over the Amazon jungle.
The night of the Sabre
Johnson Barros, Brasilia, BrazilAH-2 Sabre Helicopter (Mil Mi-35) in night takeoff procedure at Porto Velho air base, Brazil.
Jump
Johnson Barros, Brasilia, BrazilTwo rescuers jumping from an SC-105 Amazona (CASA-295) over the Santa Catarina shore in Brazil.
Jump
Johnson Barros, Brasilia, BrazilTwo rescuers jumping from an SC-105 Amazona (CASA-295) over the Santa Catarina shore in Brazil.
Maintenance
Johnson Barros, Brasilia, BrazilEngine maintenance of a C-95 Bandeirante, Brazilian air force, Brazil.
Testing down low
James Haseltine, Omaha, NebraskaA B-1 bomber from the 337th Test and Evaluation Sqdn. at Dyess AFB, Texax, flies a low-level mission over southern New Mexico.
Two over the GC
James Haseltine, Omaha, NebraskaThe 61st Sqdn. commander's aircraft and his wingman fly in formation over the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
The South Rim
James Haseltine, Omaha, NebraskaA two ship of F-35's from the 61st Fighter Sqdn. at Luke AFB, Arizona, flies over the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
Two at the GC
James Haseltine, Omaha, NebraskaA two ship of F-35's flies over the Grand Canyon.
Photographers submitted about 90 photos in the Defense category, representing many types of military aircraft. Overall, we received 293 entries and 637 individual photos for the 23rd Annual Aviation Week Photo Contest. Entries came from all 50 U.S. states and 14 other countries, representing every continent except Antarctica.