The MH-53E is used primarily for Airborne Mine Countermeasures (AMCM), with secondary missions of vertical shipboard delivery and assault support.

MH-53 Sea Dragon helicopter: Gulf of Mexico (Sept. 13, 2005) - An MH-53E Sea Dragon assigned to the "Vangaurds" of Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron One Four (HM-14) takes off from the flight deck aboard the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75).

The Shooting Star was the first American aircraft to exceed 500 mph in level flight, the first American jet airplane manufactured in large quantities and the first U.S. Air Force jet used in combat.

Lockheed P-80) aircraft profile">F-80 Shooting Star: Lockheed F-80A (S/N 45-8480). (U.S. Air Force photo)

The A-6 Intruder was the world's first fully all-weather attack bomber capable of detecting and identifying tactical or strategic targets, and delivering both conventional and nuclear ordnance on them under zero-visibility conditions.

Grumman A-6 Intruder: An A-6 Intruder aircraft from Marine Aircraft Group 11 (MAG-11) comes in for a landing.

Mission

Carrying the largest payload of both guided and unguided weapons in the Air Force inventory, the multi-mission B-1 is the backbone of America's long-range bomber force. It can rapidly deliver massive quantities of precision and non-precision weapons against any adversary, anywhere in the world, at any time.

B-1B Lancer: B-1B Lancers, like this one, provide close-air support for troops on the ground in Afghanistan.