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Driving out of the Volcano Fire in Murrietta, California, various aircraft started dropping in a hilly area on the edges of the fire. The backlit image of Cal Fire's Firehawk dropping water with the rising smoke, produced a really dramatic photograph. I always try to find different perspectives, if I have the opportunity, when photographing fires. There is more opportunity for different angles at larger fires. Using the app "Watch Duty" is invaluable in helping me get to the location where aircraft are dropping.

Marty Wolin
3

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This is a real rescue at the Panorama Fire off of the mountain Highway 243 above Banning, California which was caused by a young woman going over the side in her vehicle and it catching on fire. This is a story of a true hero. People on the road above heard the young women screaming for help and a man climbed down the steep embankment about 200 feet down. The fire was burning all around them and he only had seconds to get her to a safe place. She was going in and out of consciousness and so he decided to carry her on his back. He couldn't climb back up the steep embankment, so he hiked down the hill away from the flames. As you can see from this picture, she was airlifted out and taken to a hospital. She sustained multiple injuries, some requiring surgery.

Marty Wolin
3

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Orange County Fire Authority's Firehawk drops on the Springs Fire in Lake Perris, California. The late afternoon light was very soft and perfectly illuminated the Firehawk and falling water against a beautiful blue sky. The misting of the water at the bottom of photograph looks like its cascading like a waterfall.

Marty Wolin
3

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The light and background were so nice, so I decided to do a wider-angle photograph of Cal Fire's Firehawk getting ready to pick up water in Lake Perris, California for the Spring Fire. I climbed up a small hill so I could be at eye level with the helicopters.

Marty Wolin
6

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The kids on the far left in the picture took advantage of the 100º heat by getting soaked from the spay of PJ's UH-60A picking water for the Volcano Fire. This reservoir was near Cole Canyon in Murrieta, California. The warm late afternoon light added to the dynamics of this image.

Marty Wolin
6

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The Volcano Fire in Murrieta, California was burning in a beautiful community with some houses on hills surrounded by a valley. I got permission to go in the backyard of a home overlooking the valley, which give me a great vantage point to photograph Cal Fire's Firehawk dropping water on an adjacent hill. The owners of the home I was photographing from were so nice and even asked if I needed anything to drink.

Marty Wolin
7

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Driving out of the Volcano Fire in Murrietta, California, various aircraft started dropping in a hilly area on the outskirts of the fire. The backlit image of Cal Fire's Firehawk dropping water with the rising smoke, produced a really interesting photograph. Backlit pictures can really add dimension to falling water and rising smoke

Marty Wolin
7

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Cal Fire’s Firehawk drops on the Springs Fire in Lake Perris, California. The late afternoon light was very soft and perfectly illuminated the Firehawk and falling water against a beautiful blue sky. I shot this photograph at a wider angle to include the smoke and burning landscape. I went on a short dirt road to get next to the fire and where the helicopters were dropping. I found the correct position using the Watch Duty app.

Marty Wolin
6

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Orange County Fire Authority's Firehawk drops on the Springs Fire in Lake Perris, California. The late afternoon light was very soft and perfectly illuminated the Firehawk and falling water against a beautiful blue sky. I shot this photograph at a wider angle to include the smoke and burning landscape. The area we had to drive around to get aircraft dropping was pretty wide and the app "Watch Duty" was used to get us to the right location. To get to the best position for photographing, we had to drive on a dirt road making sure we were not in the way of the fire trucks. One of the most important things about photographing fires is situational awareness.

Marty Wolin
7

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It is difficult for my camera to focus when an aircraft is behind a smoke-filled sky, so I prefocused the camera, turn off my auto focus, and waited for the right composition. The smoke-filled sky and fire burning below made for a really dramatic photograph of Cal Fire's Firehawk dropping water. Taken at Lake Perris, California during the Springs Fire. The area we had to drive around to get aircraft dropping was pretty wide and the app "Watch Duty" was used to get us to the right location. To get to the best position for photographing, we had to drive on a dirt road making sure we were not in the way of the fire trucks. One of the most important things about photographing fires is situational awareness.

Marty Wolin
7

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The Green Fire started off of CA-38 in a valley between two large mountains in the San Bernardino National Forest and it was moving up the back side of the mountains. Cal Fire’s Firehawk dropped high on the top of the mountain to prevent the fire from cresting over. I loved the soft pastel colors and how the falling water interacted with the smoke-filled sky, which was reminiscent of a painting. I quickly turned my camera to get a vertical photograph for a more unique composition.

Marty Wolin
6

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I hiked up a short mountain so I could look into the valley where the Vista Fire was burning near Lake Elsinore, California. The view of the rugged terrain below, with the fire burning, was spectacular. The light coming from behind really illuminated the falling water by Cal Fire’s Firehawk. If you look carefully at the bottom middle of the water, you can see the silhouette of a flying bird. Also, I love it when I get the red lights on the helicopter. Photographing fires in mountainous terrain can be extremely challenging to get to and hard on your vehicle. I've gotten so many nails in my tires, some which were unable to be repaired.

Marty Wolin
6

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Cal Fire's Firehawk picks up water at a reservoir near Murrieta, California to drop on the Volcano Fire. We parked at the end of a dirt road and then hiked a small mountain to shoot down at the Firehawk. The sun had just dropped below a small mountain and I liked the soft light illuminating the helicopter.

Marty Wolin
6

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Sea Lynx German Navy Hanse Sail 2026

Norbert Bechholz
10

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Hanse Sail 2026 Sea Lynx German Navy

Norbert Bechholz
11

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Hamburg 837th Port Anniversary

Norbert Bechholz
16

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A Vernayaz dans le canton du Valais en Suisse, départ du Bell205A-1++ d'HeliTV HB-XSB après sa matinée de transports de rails, balast sur la ligne du Mont-Blanc-Express. Ce magnifique hélicoptère est de 1975 et fort utile pour des levages dans des endroits difficiles. photos prise le 16 octobre 2026 avec mon Nikon Z8 et 70-200 mm f2.8

Bessard Joël
18

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Samedi 3 octobre 2026 à l'occasion des Air and Space Days au Musée Suisse des transports de Lucerne (CH) une présentation éblouissante du Super Puma Display Team des Forces aériennes Suisse.https://www.vtg.admin.ch/de/super-puma-display-team ma photo prise avec un Nikon Z8 et objectif 70-200 mm f2.8

Bessard Joël
25

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NH90 dutch air force in rotterdam

Florian Scholz
35

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A Carabinieri (military police) UH-149D helicopter during the "golden hour" along the Livorno coast, monitoring road and marine traffic amidst the area's distinctive rocky coastline.

Salvatore Roccella
2967

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Early morning sunrise over a hardworking Bell 212. The work never stops with one of these hard to replace helicopters. Northern Canada.

Colin Hewitt
35

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Arrived to the base early to do some pre work and watched this early morning sunrise. Bell 212 Patiently waiting for the next mission. Northern Canada.

Colin Hewitt
31

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Astar landing to clear airspace for air attack. Helicopter was used as a reconnaissance machine to assess fire behaviour before tankers arrived. Northern Canada.

Colin Hewitt
23

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Astar waiting for approval from air attack officer. CL-415 dropping water ahead of dozers as they push guard around out of control fire. Northern Canada.

Colin Hewitt
24

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Assessing out of control wildfire. Black columns of smoke indicating increasing wildfire behaviour. Views from an Astar in northern Manitoba, Canada.

Colin Hewitt
27

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A South African Air Force Denel AH-2 Rooivalk sits in the late-afternoon light at AFB Waterkloof following its final flying display at Africa Aerospace and Defence 2026. With the canopy still open and the aircraft illuminated by the setting sun, the image captures a quiet moment immediately after the noise and intensity of the display.

Timothy Homan
23

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Hoist excercise on Gotland with the Swedish SAR helikopter, AW139

Andreas Abramsson
25

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Swedish maritime administration SAR AW139 outside the hangar at the Stockholm base for Baltic sea.

Andreas Abramsson
34

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Hoist operator preparing for hoisting of rescueswimmer in the Baltic sea. A standard exercise that we do every day with many different scenarios, moving ship, life raft, cliffs, PIW etc…

Andreas Abramsson
25

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Taken during hoist exercise on the island Gotland.

Andreas Abramsson
23

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North Idaho

Derek Butler
30

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Rotak, North Idaho

Derek Butler
25

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Between the storm and the fire, Rotak

Derek Butler
30

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Rotak North Idaho

Derek Butler
28

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Assessing out of control fire near a large city. Coming around the south east side of the fire we saw this flank go into intensity class 6 and go for a good run, 150-200ft flames. Northern Manitoba, Canada.

Colin Hewitt
43

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A South African Airforce Rooivalk military attack helicopter of 16 Squadron flying through the air, silhouetted against a dramatic, cloudy sky. The combination of the dark aircraft, glowing clouds and blurred rotor blades captures the power and atmosphere of the Rooivalk in flight during the Africa Aerospace and Defence 2026 exhibtion at AFB Waterkloof, South Africa.

Susan Nel
44

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A South African Air Force A109 of 17 Squadron and Denel Rooivalk of 16 Squadron emerge through the dust during the Mini War demonstration at Africa Aerospace and Defence 2026, AFB Waterkloof, South Africa.

André Nel
38

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Henley Air Bell 222UT ZT-RFA during the flying display at Africa Aerospace and Defence 2026 at AFB Waterkloof, South Africa. A crew member works from the open cabin door as the helicopter performs its demonstration.

André Nel
37

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Dutch Coastguard demo at the Wereldhavendagen in Rotterdam The helicopter is hoovering in front of the famous Erasmusbrug and the coastguard employee is waving at the public

Dave Dasselaar
34

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Kestrel Helicopters based out of Parksville, BC Bell 204B refueling at Helijet to continue fighting the Jack Mountain wildfire outside of Victoria, BC

Dave Nicholson
37

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Kestrel Helicopters Based out of Parksville,BC. Bell 204B refueling at Helijet Victoria to continue fighting the Jack Mountain wildfire outside of Victoria, BC Canada.

Dave Nicholson
39

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A Carabinieri UH-169C returning from a surveillance mission in the Italian Alps. This specific aircraft is the only one that still bears the unit's 60th-anniversary logo on its tail boom.

Salvatore Roccella
82

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An Italian Army A129D Mangusta during a simulated escort mission for vehicles and troops patrolling a restricted area; thanks to its turret, it can see for several kilometers, ensuring excellent security for personnel on the ground.

Salvatore Roccella
40

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The crew of this Colombian Air Force "Angel" helicopter is conducting an operation that requires coordination between flight, external load handling, and highly precise unloading.

Juan Sebastián Correa Ocampo
44

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The Colombian Air Force’s "Ángel" helicopter carries out arduous work amidst mountains and tall trees, supporting firefighting operations in the city of Rionegro, Antioquia, Colombia.

Juan Sebastián Correa Ocampo
55

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The Colombian Air Force´s ´Angel´ helicopter carrying out arduous work amidst mountains and tall trees supporting firefighting efforts in the city of Rionegro, Antioquia, Colombia.

Juan Sebastián Correa Ocampo
58

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This is a real rescue at the Panorama Fire off of the mountain Highway 243 above Banning , California which was caused by a young woman going over the side in her vehicle and it catching on fire. This is a story of a true hero. People on the road above heard the young women screaming for help and a man climbed down the steep embankment about 200 feet down.The fire was burning all around them and he only had seconds to get her to a safe place. She was going in and out of consciousness and so he decided to cary her on his back. He couldn't climb back up the steep embankment, so he hiked down the hill away from the flames. As you can see from this picture, she was airlifted out and taken to a hospital. She sustained multiple injuries, some requiring surgery.

Marty Wolin
49

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Orange County Fire Authority's Firehawk drops on the Gibby Fire off of Ortega Highway. The fire was in a deep canyon and the backlight really added to the highlighting the falling water.

Marty Wolin
52

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During the summer months, Air Zermatt carries out supply flights to remote mountain huts across the Swiss Alps, transporting food, equipment and other essential supplies to places that are difficult to reach by road.

Michael Portmann
49

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Air-to-air over the Swiss Alps during an internal video production in spring. Working closely with the pilots, we positioned both helicopters to capture the aircraft in its natural alpine environment, with the Matterhorn in the background.

Michael Portmann
55

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Air Zermatt booked me to document real rescue missions in the mountains. During this operation near the Monte Rosa Hut, the patient was not seriously injured but had to be evacuated by winch from steep, rocky terrain. My job was to stay close to the rescue team and capture the operation as it happened.

Michael Portmann
57

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Building powerlines on 9/11

Jessy Schoonover
47

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Italian Air Force HH-139B (15th SAR Wing, callsign GRANNY01) during a sea rescue exercise involving an air rescuer; event held during the Jesolo Air Show, Venice.

Salvatore Roccella
49

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A Carabinieri RH119A helicopter during a mountain rescue exercise in South Tyrol, set against the backdrop of the Dolomites—a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Salvatore Roccella
151

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Eastland Heli Services HTZ sitting on top of the world during a radio repeater equipment servicing trip. Raukumara Ranges, East Coast, New Zealand. Early 2026

Tim Colvin
44

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Apache at Swansea Amazing display but very short fly pass due to the wind at Swansea Airshow. Incredible helicopter. First time seeing it.

Shane Iles wright
139

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H145 Hoist Operator performing a cable check on a 50m hoist. He checks the full length of the cable with a weight applied, applying a consistent tension on the cable to ensure longevity and safety of the equipment.

Alex Dunn
60

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Hoist practice with an Avincis Aviation livery H145. Between precision hoist missions to many of Denmark's wind turbines, these hoist operators train to operate under pressure to ensure safe, efficient hoists.

Alex Dunn
52

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Sea Lynx Hanse Sail 2026

Norbert Bechholz
67

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Midwest Helicopter Airways’ Sikorsky S-58T maneuvers between the skyscrapers of downtown Chicago during an aerial lift operation. Captured from a nearby rooftop, the photo offers a unique perspective of the aircraft working within the city skyline, where tight spaces and limited ground access make helicopter lifting an ideal solution. Precision flying, careful coordination, and an incredible view come together high above the streets of Chicago.

Brooke Jones
63
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