DESERT DISRUPTORS

Step into the highlights of 2025 with our Air Force Materiel Command "Year in Review" photo spread! From groundbreaking achievements and inspiring moments, to team celebrations and unforgettable milestones, these images capture the heart and soul of our year. Witness the passion, dedication, and teamwork that made 2025 a year to remember.

Join us in looking back at the moments that defined our journey and set the stage for an even brighter future.

Together we are one AFMC…powering the world’s greatest Air Force.

U.S. Air Force 2nd Operational Medical Readiness Squadron bioenvironmental engineering technicians prepare to scan a simulated patient for radioactive contamination during a simulated nuclear response training at Barksdale Air force Base, Louisiana, Oct. 1, 2025. The bioenvironmental engineering flight identifies, evaluates and controls health and environmental hazards for the 2nd Bomb Wing by assessing possible risks from chemicals and radiation. (U.S. Air force photo by Airman 1st Class Devyn Taylor)  An Air Battle Damage Repair Technician, 76 Aircraft Maintenance Group, uses a rivet gun to install a new panel at Tinker Air Force Base, Jan. 28, 2025. Custom panels are fabricated to match damage sizes and sometimes require careful sealing or structural support. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Adrian Salazar)  Instructors at Air Force Test Pilot School depart Edwards Air Force Base in California during an A-29C training flight. The A-29C Super Tucano fleet has begun formal integration into school's curriculum. This new aircraft provides students with a modern platform for instruction in aerial spins, sensors and mission systems training, while also giving the school an additional aircraft type for data collection during research projects. (Air Force photo by James West)  ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. – Patrick Moore, top, 561st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aircraft mechanic, and Levi Bedingfield, 561st AMXS aircraft work lead, secure a wire supporting the Eagle Passive/Active Warning and Survivability System (EPAWSS) installation inside a F-15E aircraft at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, March 20, 2025. The EPAWSS upgrade was incorporated with the aircraft’s planned/scheduled program depot level maintenance process, eliminating additional upgrade work at separate locations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Joseph Mather)  An F-16 Fighting Falcon undergoes modifications as part of the Viper Experimentation and Next-gen Operations Model – Autonomy Flying Testbed program at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. The changes include software, hardware and instrumentation that will allow the aircraft to fly autonomously. (U.S. Air Force photo by Samuel King Jr.)  A U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit, center, from the 53rd Wing, Eglin Air Force Base, a U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon, right, and four Royal Norwegian Air Force F-35 Lightning II, left, fly in formation over Norway, Sept. 3, 2025. The U.S. partnered with Norwegian Allies to test next-generation precision maritime strike capabilities. The event advanced tactics, techniques, and procedures for long-range sensor-to-shooter operations. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Jesenia Landaverde)  The Mk 1 Quarterhorse, a remotely piloted aircraft designed by Hermeus departs from Rogers Dry Lake during testing at Edwards Air Force Base, California. The Mk 1 Quarterhorse was designed to demonstrate a rapid developmental pace, advancing Hermeus’ mission to operationalize hypersonic technologies. The Experimental Test Force at Edwards (Formally the Emerging Technologies Integrated Test Force) assisted with marvel airworthiness process' without impact to flight safety. This approach reflects a renewed emphasis on industry integration from the Air Force Test Center. (Courtesy Photo)  Representatives from Air Force Civil Engineer Center, 37th Training Wing, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Clark Construction break ground at the future site of Airman Training Complex (ATC) #8 on Joint Base San Antonio – Lackland. The construction of the Basic Military Training West campus, which started in 2019, is part of a multi-year program led by AFCEC and in collaboration with Air Force and industry partners to centralize BMT campuses to increase efficiency and replace training and housing facilities that are more than 50 years old. (U.S. Air Force photo by Craig Z. Rodarte)  A military working dog from the 72nd Security Forces Squadron leaps into the pool during water aggression training at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., Sept. 3, 2025. The exercise builds confidence in both handlers and K-9s, ensuring they are ready to deter threats in any environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Courtney Landsberger)  AFLCMC Command Chief Master Sergeant Timothy Wieser held a two-day professional development summit for CCM and MED SEL enlisted leaders. Attendees heard from Center leadership, including Commander Lt Gen Donna Shipton and Executive Director Dennis D'Angelo. There was also a history brief about the Center, a portion dedicated to transformational leadership and time focused on management strategies and advice.  U.S. Air Force Gen. Duke Z. Richardson, commander, Air Force Materiel Command, embraces his wife, Dede Richardson, during his retirement ceremony at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, June 3, 2025. Richardson enlisted as an Airman Basic in 1983, completing a distinguished career after 42 years of honorable service. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Peterson)  Workers at the Battlefield Airmen Rapid Refresh and Replenishement (BARs) facility near Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, inventory items that will eventually make it out to warfighters worldwide. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jim Varhegyi)  Members of the Missile Mishap Recovery Team lifts an overturned trailer off a vehicle during a training event in Ogden, Utah, May 5, 2025. With exception to the warhead, the MMRT responds to Minuteman III situations that fall out of the scope of tech data and standard procedures or pose significant hazards. The highly specialized team is the only one in the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by R. Nial Bradshaw)  Participants make their way up the hill at mile 1 during the 29th annual Air Force Marathon, Sept. 20, 2025, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.  Members of the Nuclear Command, Control and Communications Integration Directorate, Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, take a photo Nov. 17, 2025, at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., to celebrate the directorate’s 10th anniversary. (U.S. Air Force photo by Todd Maki)  A U.S. Air Force XQ-58A Valkyrie, an autonomous, low-cost tactical unmanned air vehicle, blasts off during a test flight at Eglin Air Force Base. The test flight and data collected will inform future air operations and contribute to advanced autonomous programs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ilka Cole)  Air Force Research Laboratory and 711th Human Performance Wing leadership, center, pose for a photo with Wing personnel following a dress blues uniform inspection at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, May 28, 2025. The inspection ensured Airmen maintain a high level of professionalism and precision. Part of the Air Force Research Laboratory, the 711th Human Performance Wing is a unique combination of two mission units: the science- and technology-focused Human Effectiveness Directorate and the U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine, a center for aerospace medical learning, consultation, medical investigations and aircrew health assessments. (U.S. Air Force photo / Richard Eldridge)  Members of the Missile Mishap Recovery Team lift a Minuteman III motor during a training event in Ogden, Utah, May 5, 2025. With exception to the warhead, the MMRT responds to Minuteman III situations that fall out of the scope of tech data and standard procedures or pose significant hazards. The highly specialized team is the only one in the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by R. Nial Bradshaw)  Airman 1st Class Cleshawn Jean-Pierre, 11th Security Forces Squadron installation patroller, operates an augmented reality device at Tyndall Air Force Base Florida, Sept. 16, 2025. By leveraging virtual and augmented reality technology, Airmen can practice various deployed scenarios, resulting in a more hands-on training experience. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Zeeshan Naeem)  The 635th Materiel Maintenance Squadron Capability Generation Team constructs a 1,200-person beddown site supporting Operation ROUGH RIDER in April 2025.  Arnold Engineering Development Complex Deputy Director Kevin Muckerheide attempts to extinguish a simulated aircraft fuel leak fire during live fire training March 6, 2025, at Arnold Air Force Base, Tenn. AEDC is headquarter at Arnold AFB. In early March, Arnold AFB Fire and Emergency Services conducted live fire training exercises on the base to maintain compliance and enhance emergency response readiness. Training sessions involved the use of a mobile trailer to simulate a residential structure fire and a simulator to emulate interior and exterior aircraft fuselage fires. (U.S. Air Force photo by Keith Thornburgh)  Gen. Duke Z. Richardson, commander, Air Force Materiel Command, and his wife depart Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command for the last time prior to his retirement from the Air Force. Richardson retired after a 42-year career. (U.S. Air Force photo by Brian Dietrick)  Cara Davidson, innovations program manager at AFCEC’s Natural Disaster Recovery Division, explains IROC and other Installation of the Future technologies at the Tyndall Air Force Base Power Up Expo booth, Sept. 4, 2025. (U.S. Air Force photo by Christine A. Walker)  Two Air Force Materiel Command Airmen create an announcement of the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base giant voice during a training exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Brian Dietrick)  Capt. William Mitchell, an AFIMSC budget analyst, browses the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center's Budget Analysis Tool, or BAT. BAT consolidates 40 million rows of data from the Commander's Resource Integration System and Air Force's Automated Funds Management System into a single, authoritative source for financial management. (U.S. Air Force photo by Craig Z. Rodarte)  Lt. Gen. Linda Hurry, deputy commander, Air Force Materiel Command, speaks to uniformed and civilian leaders at the AFMC Leader Orientation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Brian Dietrick)  Restoration specialist Chad Vanhook applies rivets that secure two pieces of metal together by deforming the tail end of a solid rivet, creating a shop head that holds the pieces in compression and shear. The Boeing B-17D “The Swoose” is undergoing restoration at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. This aircraft is the oldest surviving B-17 Flying Fortress and the only D model in existence. Originally named Ole Betsy, this B-17D participated in several bombing missions in the desperate weeks after Pearl Harbor. Later named The Swoose, it also served as a transport for the commander of Allied air forces in the Southwest Pacific, Lt. Gen. George Brett.  Leaders from across the Nuclear Security Enterprise celebrate the completion of the first B61-13 unit May 19, 2025, in Amarillo, Texas. (National Nuclear Security Administration photo)  European Space Agency Astronaut Sophie Adenot, right, speaks to French President Emmanuel Macrone from the Space Gallery in the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in June of 2025. Adenot had been training in a centrifuge at the 711th Human Performance Wing for a future space flight and chose the museum to host the her meeting with the French President that showcased the museum’s collection of space artifacts.(U.S. Air Force photo by Ty Greenlees.)  The largest scale radio control helicopter event in North America! Featuring workshops, full scale aviation partners, STEM schools and more was held from May 29 through June 1, 2025 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.(U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)  A view of the attendees during the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Spring Session at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force on May 25, 2025. This session marked the 30th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accords—the historic agreement negotiated at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base that ended the Bosnian war. Over 240 parliamentarians from NATO member and partner countries gathered for the first U.S.-based meeting in more than 20 years. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)  A Royal Norwegian Air Force F-35 Lightning II approaches a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 100th Air Refueling Wing, RAF Mildenhall, for fuel over Norway Sept. 3, 2025. The U.S. partnered with Norwegian Allies to test next-generation precision maritime strike capabilities. The KC-135s also played a critical role in the strike, supporting U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit and Norwegian F-35s journey to and from the region. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Jesenia Landaverde)  U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Henry Maddocl, 375th Security Forces Squadron patrolman, fires an M240 light machine gun during 12th Air Task Force training on Camp McGregor, New Mexico, Jan. 16, 2025. Led by the 12th Combat Air Base Squadron and cadres from U.S. Army TF Black Scorpion, 2-363rd Training Support Battalion, 12th ATF Airmen from Scott, Barksdale, and Little Rock Air Force Bases and Joint Base Langley-Eustis conducted combat-focused training to ensure joint force maneuver in combat and mission readiness in the Great Power Competition.  First Lt. Kaitlin Volk, an air battle manager, runs a vul, vulnerability window, during Project Convergence Capstone 5 at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California, March 11, 2025. As an air battle manager, Volk acts as an “offensive coordinator” of air combat, strategizing and directing air operations by providing command and control capabilities to air, ground and sea units. (Official Air Force photo by Morgan Brown)  The U.S. Air Force and Northrop Grumman Corporation conduct a full-scale qualification static fire test of the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) stage-one solid rocket motor March 6, 2025, at Northrop Grumman's facility in Promontory, Utah. The Sentinel program is modernizing the land-based leg of the U.S. nuclear triad, replacing the aging Minuteman III ICBM weapon system. (U.S. Air Force photo by R. Nial Bradshaw)  The Navigation Technology Satellite-3 (NTS-3) spacecraft is shown in an anechoic test chamber prior to electromagnetic interference and electromagnetic compatibility testing in Palm Bay, Florida. This experimental satellite is being designed, built and tested by L3Harris Technologies, and will be used by the Air Force Research Laboratory and partner organizations as part of an integrated system to conduct a one-year demonstration of advanced technologies and concepts in satellite navigation. (Courtesy photo)