US Air Force/Samuel King Jr.
The giant C-5M Super Galaxy released flares during a defensive countermeasures test on the Eglin range.
Flares are high-temperature heat sources used to mislead surface-to-air or air-to-air missiles heat-seekers.
A C-5M Super Galaxy, belonging to the 436th Airlift Wing, from Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, was involved in a defensive countermeasures testing campaign that saw the US Air Force s largest aircraft release flares, at night, over an area of the Eglin range, Florida.
Each night, the C-5M released more than 15 flares, repeating the same operation several times, entering the area from different entry points and angles, to increase aircraft and crew combat survivability by evaluating and fielding improved defensive systems capabilities.