Locked On #397 | The best of aviation photography

Australian Aviation’s Craig Murray shot this US Air Force KC- 46A Pegasus arriving in Brisbane in April. The next-generation aircraft is primarily used as a refueller, but also has greater cargo and aeromedical evacuation capabilities compared to the ageing KC-135 Stratotanker. First delivered in 2019, the US Air Force intends to acquire a final fleet of 179 of the Boeing-made aircraft, with 89 already delivered.

Each year, countries share aerial firefighting aircraft as the fire season switches from the southern to northern hemisphere summer. Australian Aviation’s Lenn Bayliss shot this 747, VQBWY, which enabled the migration. The aircraft, operated by Silk Way West Airlines, arrived at Toowoomba Wellcamp and uploaded two helicopters and support equipment. It then departed to Perth to upload another four fire-bombing helicopters before arriving in Greece.

This rare overhead photo shows two US Air Force pilots in the cockpit of an F-15E Strike Eagle in February. Look closely and you will spot the national flag between them as it flies over the US Central Command Area of Responsibility. (Staff Sgt William Rio Rosado, USAF)