RAF photographic competition 2013 - in pictures

An imposing shot of RAF Marham's Squadron Leader Chris Higgins, by SAC Tracey Dobson Photograph: SAC Tracey Dobson/PA

This aerial image by Corporal Mike Jones shows a Tornado GR4 as it undertakes a training sortie over the north-west of England Photograph: Corporal Mike Jones/PA

The winner of the sports category, taken by Corporal Paul Oldfield, shows the RAF Falcons freefall display team Photograph: Cpl Paul Oldfield/PA

A trainee practises checking for mines using the 'pat, poke and prod' technique, photographed by AC Phil Dye, winner of the Mallett Student category Photograph: AC Phil Dye/PA

'Shard' by SAC Andy Masson. An RAF Tornado flies over the London skyline during the Queen's birthday flypast Photograph: SAC Andy Masson/PA

Cadet Sean Paterson won the Air Training Corps and Combined Cadet Force category with this photograph of a Red Arrows display Photograph: Cadet Sean Paterson/PA

A fingerprint captured on an RAF lighter, taken by SAC Lee Matthews, winner of the Technical Engineering section Photograph: SAC Lee Matthews/PA

The sun sets behind a Typhoon fighter jet in front of a desert landscape during a multi-=national training exercise, shot by SAC Graham Taylor, who was named as RAF photographer of the year Photograph: SAC Graham Taylor/PA

Flight lieutenant Frazer Wood and Flying Officer Daniel Whatmough from 31 Squadron return to the operations room after a flight during Exercise Shaheen Star, shot by Senior Aircraftsman Andy Masson Photograph: SAC Andy Masson/PA

A Typhoon jet of RAF Coningsby sits under the star-lit sky of the Middle-East during a multi-national training exercise, taken by SAC Graham Taylor Photograph: SAC Graham Taylor/PA

RAF regiment and RAF police personnel relax after a long day ferrying Ghanaian troops and equipment from Accra, Ghana to Bamako in Mali, shot by Sgt Ralph Merry, winner of the portrait photography section Photograph: Sgt Ralph Merry/PA

A Spitfire TE311 of the Royal Air Force memorial flight performs a 'hot start' in this image by SAC Graham Taylor Photograph: SAC Graham Taylor/PA