Lt. Col Geoffrey Maki, 23rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron pilot, waits to depart here, Feb. 21. Colonel Maki is deployed from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany.
Master Sgt. Chris Taylor examines the forward avionics bay of an F-16 Fighting Falcon during a 300-hour phase inspection on Feb. 22 at Balad Air Base, Iraq. The phase inspection includes preventative maintenanc More
A F-15E from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., takes off on a mission supporting Operation Enduring Freedom on Feb. 27. Nearly 20 F-15E Strike Eagles conduct close air support and strike missions throughout More
Airman 1st Class Buddy Bewick, 386th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron salutes the aircraft commander of a C-130 Hercules at a Southwest Asia air base. The aircraft is heading for a mission into Iraq More
Staff Sgt. Grant Gimpel, fire fighter, 447 Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, Sather Air Base, Iraq, rappels from the roof of the Baghdad International Airport air traffic control tower during a training ev More
Maj. Gen. George J. Flynn, deputy Commander, Mulit-National Corps Iraq address the participants of the Joint Air Synchronization conference in the Al Faw Palace at Baghdad, March 3. The conference was aimed at More
Staff Sgt. Nikolina Kreager, a life support specialist with the 99th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron at an air base in Southwest Asia, ensures a U-2 Dragon Lady pilot is set for the day's mission by check More
Senior Airman Jonathan Cantrell, a crew chief with the 99th Aircraft Maintenance Unit at an air base in Southwest Asia, removes the cooling tube from a U-2 Dragon Lady sensor pod on March 5 as the pilot prepare More
An A-10 Thunderbolt II sits on a ramp at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, waiting for its next mission. A-10s provide close-air support for coalition troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1 More
An Afghan woman clad in a traditional burka accepts gifts Saturday, March 8, at an International Women's Day celebration. Rahima, the Director of Women's Affairs, asked for the support of local scholars as well More
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Joseph Aton clears a B-1B Lancer to drop six guided bomb unit-38 munitions onto an al-Qaida in Iraq torture house and prison in northern Zambraniyah, Iraq, March 10 ,2008. Aton is a More
Staff Sgts. Robert Townson (left) and Jason Cramer work on the right side electrical distribution harness on an F-15E Strike Eagle March 4 at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. Both sergeants are electro-environment More
Students wait to be paid for attending classes at Patrol Base Stone that the 557th Expeditionary Red Horse Squadron built to help students with the basics of math and basic Arabic before they learn plumbing, el More
A C-130 Hercules assigned to the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing taxis into position for takeoff from a Southwest Asia air base, March 2, 2008. The aircraft is heading for a mission into Iraq for Operation Iraqi F More
Chief Master Sgt. Scott Dearduff, U.S. Air Forces Central command chief master sergeant, visits Airmen at the Combined Air and Space Operations Center in Southwest Asia, March 11. Chief Dearduff assumed the pos More
A KC-10 Extendor is towed to a parking spot while an RQ-4A Global Hawk waits to be prepared for take off from the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia, March 16, 2008. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Air More
Staff Sgt. Jeremy Lewis salutes Capt. Travis Keenan after the pilots aircraft is disarmed, Jan. 19, at Balad Air Base, Iraq. Lewis a 332nd Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief and Keenan is a 22nd More
Airman 1st Class Buddy Bewick, 386th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron works on the beavertail navigation light of a C-130 Hercules at a Southwest Asia air base just before a recent mission. The missi More
Airman 1st Class Rashaud Johnson, a C-130 electronic counter measure specialist deployed with the 386th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron drags an external power source from a maintenance cart to an E More
First Lt. Brock Burkhardt, Staff Sgt. John Columbia, and Senior Airman Fred Koch, loadmasters with the 737th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, work on pulling in the cords attached to the static line of a C-130 H More
Senior Airman Michael Mitchell, a crew chief deployed to the 386th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, inspects the landing gear of a C-130 Hercules on March 25 at air base in the Persian Gulf region. More
Capt. Heather Fox, a U-2 Dragon Lady pilot with the 99th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron, stands while Senior Airman Roric Ongaco (right) and Staff Sgt. Lisa Tetrick, 99th ERS physiological support divisi More
Staff Sgt. Matt Kuebler, a tuba player with the U.S. Air Force Central Band "Hot Brass," shows children in Vasilievka, Kyrgyzstan, his instrument during a visit to their school on March 26. Each band member too More
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jerome S. Baker talks about the day he was wounded at Baghdad International Zone, Iraq on, March 26. Baker is deployed from Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., and deployed as the non-commissi More
U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Jerome Baker,36, of San Diego CA., receives the Purple Heart medal from U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. David E. Clary as Maj. Gen. Mastin M. Robeson,U.S. Marine Corps, looks on. Baker was wo More
A Cessna 208 Caravan taxis onto the runway March 29 at Kirkuk Regional Air Base. The Cessna 208 is the advanced fixed wing training aircraft for the Iraqi flying training wing. The Cessna 208 will be the advanc More
Dr. Samudin Shabyralie, heart surgeon in the local Institute of Cardiac Surgery and Organ Transplantation and Dr. Kaldarbek Abdramanov, Director and professor of surgery check on the Manas Air Base Outreach Soc More
Airman 1st Class Joshua Weston secures a pallet of humanitarian supplies on a C-17 Globemaster III to be transported, along with 20 Navy Seabees, to Nairobi, Kenya from Camp Lemonier, Djibouti. Airman Weston is More
U.S. Navy Seabees load a support truck and supplies in to a C-17 Globemaster III to be transported, along with 20 Navy Seabees, to Nairobi, Kenya from Camp Lemonier, Djibouti. The Seabees are forward deploying More
A C-17 Globemaster III delivers humanitarian well-drilling equipment and 20 Navy Seabees from Camp Lemonier, Djibouti, to Nairobi, Kenya, in support of a humanitarian well drilling mission, enabling critical wa More
Airman 1st Class Joshua Weston secures a pallet of humanitarian supplies on a C-17 Globemaster III to be transported, along with 20 Navy Seabees, to Nairobi, Kenya, from Camp Lemonier, Djibouti. Airman Weston i More
U.S. Air Force Capt.Travis Elliot takes off in a C-17 Globemaster III from Nairobi, Kenya, after transporting 20 Navy Seabees, two water well drilling rigs and more than 100,000 pounds of equipment in support o More
Squadron Leader Mark Wright renders a salute at a sunset ceremony in celebration of the 90th Anniversary of the Royal air force, April 1, as 2 GR.4 Tornados from the 14th Squadron and a VC10 tanker from the Num More
Airman 1st Class Sean Story inspects the rudder of the oldest A-10 Thunderbolt in the U.S. Air Forces in Europe command on April 9 at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. Airman Story is deployed from Spangdahlem Air More
A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III is being loaded with 40 bundles for a Joint Precision Airdrop Delivery System of humanitarian supplies in Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan to a drop zone in Afghanistan, April More
U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules wait for an airlift mission, April 17 at an air base in the Persian Gulf Region. These C-130 Hercules transport coalition forces and equipment throughout the area of responsibility More
Senior Airman Matt Cooper provides security for a C-130 Hercules aircraft, April 18, during a cargo mission in Afghanistan. Sr. Airman Cooper is part of a Fly Away Security Forces Team assigned to the 455th Exp More
Airman 1st Class Joseph Miller wipes down the inside of an F-16 Fighting Falcon at Balad Air Base, Iraq, April 19. Aircraft maintainers work around the clock performing scheduled maintenance and inspections on More
Captain Thomas Knaust, a C-130 Hercules pilot deployed to the 737th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, pilots his aircraft through the dangerous skies over Iraq during a combat sortie that transported Soldiers int More
Lt. Col. Brick Izzi, 421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron commander, climbs into an F-16 Fighting Falcon before a combat sortie here, April 24. Pilots are given mission briefs on topics including weather, intel More
An MQ-1 Predator returns to Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, from an Operation Enduring Freedom mission. The Predator is an unmanned aerial vehicle primarily used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. More
F-15E Strike Eagle armed for a close air support mission over Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/James D'Angina)
Airman 1st Class Troy Spence, a 62nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron crew chief, looks over technical data on his laptop while performing maintenance on an MQ-1 Predator at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. More
An A-10 Thunderbolt II from the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, flies off the wing of a KC-135 Stratotanker durng air-refueling operations over Afghanistan. This A-10 is deployed in More
A 421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, launches on a sortie at Balad Air Base, Iraq, April 21. On April 20, Air Force pilots had flown more than 1 million so More
Tech. Sgt. Frank Wisnieski prepares to stop a C-17 Globemaster III May 12 at Balad Air Base, Iraq. Coordinating the safe arrivals and departures of dozens of aircraft daily is a 24-hour operation that is execut More
F-15E Strike Eagles greet the dawn at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, on Nov. 24. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Col. Tim Grams)
Company Grade Officers' Council president Capt. Nora Nelson and Operation Toy Drive coordinator Capt. Carol Blackington sort through the toys collected by a group of about 40 volunteers, May 16. The toys will b More
Gen. David Petraeus, Multi-National Force - Iraq commanding general, greets Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, as she and other U.S. representatives arrive here May 17 on a C-130 Hercules deployed from Dyess A More
An MQ-9 Reaper sits on a ramp in Afghanistan Sept. 31. The Reaper is launched, recovered and maintained at deployed locations, while being remotely operated by pilots and sensor operators at Creech Air Force Base, Nev.
Aircrews perform a preflight check on an MQ-9 Reaper before it takes of for a mission in Afghanistan, Sept. 31. The Reaper is larger and more heavily-armed than the MQ-1 Predator and in addition to its traditio More
A C-17 Globemaster III is returning to an air base in Southwest Asia after conducting a mission engaged in the Global War on Terrorism. C-17s transport passengers and cargo throughout the area of operations. (U More
An F-15E Strike Eagle greets the dawn of a new day, Nov. 22, 2007. (Photo/Col Tim Grams)
A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt aircraft moves into position to receive fuel, May 29, 2008 from a KC-135 Stratotanker during a mission over Afghanistan. A-10 is deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom and the More
A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft receives fuel, June 10, 2008 from a KC-135 Stratotanker during a mission over Iraq. F-16 is assigned to Balad Air Base Iraq and is deployed from Shaw Air Force Bas More
Air Force Airman 1st Class Hector Martinez, a Jacksonville, Fla., native, is serving in Afghanistan with a Provincial Reconstruction Team in Kapisa province. Martinez, deployed from the 99th Communications Squa More
An F-15E Strike Eagle sits on the Bagram Air Field flight line after returning from a mission Sept. 15, 2008. The F-15E Strike Eagle is a dual-role fighter designed to perform air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.
Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle weapons systems officer Capt. Vanessa Mahan relaxes for a moment after returning from a mission recently. Mahan is deployed to the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing in Afghanistan from t More
Airmen make safe the weapons systems on an A-10 Thunderbolt II that just returned from a mission. The A-10's wide combat radius and short takeoff and landing capability permit operations in and out of locations More
Senior Airmen Ryan Cassel, 407th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, flattens cement poured on the taxiway to repair cracks and pot holes, Sept. 22, 2008. Extreme heat conditions, along with normal wear and More
A battlefield Airmen stands guard wearing the new Airman Battle System-Ground ensemble. The ABS-G provides battlefield Airmen with fire resistance and tactical integration with body armor. Distribution will beg More
U.S. Air Force MH-53 Pave Low's from the 20th Expeditionary Special Operations Squadron take flight over Iraq on the last combat mission of the Pave Low, Sept. 27, 2008. The MH-53 Pave Low is being retired afte More
Dr. Zamari Soltan begins treating a malnourished Afghan child with "strong food" a vitamin enriched high calories emergency food supplement. The Zabul Provincial Reconstruction Team, is working with local heath More
Staff Sgt. Nestor Albalos prepares an infection control station to clean dental tools prior to a Village Dental Outreach visit here. The visit was hosted by the Zabul Provincial Reconstruction Team. Albalos, PR More
U.S. Air Force Maj. Brandon Bailey, 332nd Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron medical crew director and Tech. Sgt. Kristy Wellman, charge medical technician, evaluate a patient before take off during a Ba More
Army Maj. Trever Nehls hands a box of crayons to an Afghan boy. The Zabul Provincial Reconstruction Team delivered enough school supplies to fill the bed of a small pick-up truck on behalf of the Westfield Comm More
Air Force Staff Sgt. Don Elais talks with two Afghan boys while providing security during a veterinary outreach held by the Zabul Provincial Reconstruction Team. The team provided free treatment to the nomadic More
Master Sgt. Samel Brown watches as one of his patrols departs the 755th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron Law and Order station. Sgt. Brown is the non-commisioned officer in charge of the security force Ai More
Pennsylvania Army National Guard Soldiers Sgt. Mervin Hengst (left) and Staff Sgt. Donald Zerbe (right) learn about the A-10 Thunderbolt II from Capt. Robert Burdette during a recent visit to Bagram Air Field's More
Airman from the 438th Air Expeditionary Wing douse a fire on a helicopter during an open-house at the Afghan national army Air Corps Joint Fire Academy. The open house showcased training exercises used at the a More
An Afghan national army Air Corps An-32 crew chief waits for engines to shut down after taxing in the aircraft here. The ANAAC is being mentored in western methodologies of flying operations by members of the 4 More
(From left) Tactical air control party member Tech. Sgt. Harvey Wagenmaker, with the 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment air liaison officer, stands with Army Sgt. 1st Class James Strickland, Army Staff Sgt. More
As a joint terminal attack controller with the 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, Tech. Sgt. Harvey Wagenmaker is a liaison between Army ground commanders and pilots. He's responsible for planning, communi More
Members of the Afghan national air corps fire protection unit respond a fire intentionally set in a dilapidated building to test the response of the fire department. The responding firefighters are graduates of More
An Mi-17 helicopter is unloaded from a AH-124 transport plane. The three refurbished helicopters will be added to the Afghan national army air corps fleet, helping the ANAAC conduct a larger portion of the airl More
An Afghan child wears a coat he received during a humanitarian assistance visit. The clothes, shoes, coats and blankets brought to the refugee camp were donations made to Operation Care by American citizens. Th More
A Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected vehicle and Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck convoy down a road at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, Dec. 11. Airmen with the 732nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron Detachment More
Airman 1st Class David Beasley, 407th Expeditionary Logistic Readiness Squadron vehicle maintenance apprentice, tightens down lug nuts on a Humvee Dec. 31, 2008. The 407th LRS Vehicle Maintenance Shop maintains More
U.S. Air Force Pararescueman Senior Airman Matthew, from the 64th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, Joint Base Balad, Iraq, rappel from an HH-60 Pavehawk helicopter during a proficiency exercise outside of Baghdad More
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Chris Yetmar, 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, prepares for takeoff from Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan on a mission to deliver supplies to forward operating bases in support of Op More
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Chris Patton, 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, prepares a C-130H Hercules to receive cargo at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan before a mission to deliver supplies in support of Oper More
A convoy of three 155mm Howitzers are being prepared for a journey to their next location after being processed and cleared at the Redistribution Property Assistance Team Yard, Joint Base Balad, Iraq June 16. T More
Technical Sgt. Coda Whitehead, 332nd Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron, plays basketball with an Iraqi boy during Iraqi Kids Day at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, June 19. Whitehead volunteered as a mentor for the ev More
Senior Airman Christopher Powell, 732nd Air Expeditionary Group, executive administrator, gets the opportunity to ask Air Force Chief of Staff, General Norton Schwartz, a question during the session at the CSAF More
Maj. Matt Takara, 51st Medical Detachment, chief medical consultant for Iraqi theater Military working dogs, discusses a technique with Baghdad Police College Military Working Dog veterinarians during a tumor e More
Petty Officer 2nd Class Franklyn Vasquez, utilitiesman, assigned to Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, helps rearrange a classroom at RIA Center in Adlyia, Bahrain, during a recent community relation More
The Joint Base Balad Honor Guard retrives the colors during the retreat ceremony that was held at the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing headquaters, Joint Base Balad, Iraq, July 4, 2010. The vice commander of the 33 More
Tops in Blue vocalists Airmen 1st Class Megan Harvey and Jette Warnick sing backup vocals for Airman 1st Class Lisa Weiss during their performance at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, July 5, 2010. The Tops in Blue enter More
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class, Tyler Hertzog, a C-17 Globemaster III loadmaster assigned to the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, secures medical supplies for transit before takeoff to Baghdad, Iraq, whil More
Staff Sgt. Brandon Burton, 332nd Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, marshals an F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 157th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron out on to the main taxiway at Joint Base B More
U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Margerite Hellwich a aeromedical evacuation technician assigned to the 332nd Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Flight, looks over medical supplies prior to aeromedical flying mission More
Crew members assigned to the 332nd Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Flight, configure a C-130 Hercules aircraft for an aeromedical evacuation mission during pre-flight inspections at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, July 17.
U.S. Air Force loadmaster assigned to the 777th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, reviews per-flight inspection checklist prior to aeromedical evacuation mission at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, July 17.
U.S. Air Force 332nd Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Flight, poses for the camera after their crew brief prior to aeromedical evacuation mission at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, July 17. Left to right: Lisa Mayo More
Concrete barriers are crushed into one-inch pieces through the crushing process at the 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron Contract Management Flight crushing site July 19, Joint Base Balad, Iraq. The p More
Tech Sgt. Lori McCarty of Marietta, Pa., and Master Sgt. Howard Boots harmonize during a performance of the Air Force Central Command band High Altitude in the Fest Tent at Kandahar Air Field. On the band’s fir More
Hassan Zulfiquar, Director of National Disaster Management Authority for Pakistan, is shown the contents of a Halal meal by Maj. James Swisher, a representative of Office of Defense Representative of Pakistan. More
From left to right: Capt. Chris Gosh, Tech. Sgt. Ben Webb and Capt. Robert Dodson, C-130H aircrew members assigned to the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing, fly Halal meals to Pakistan during a humanitarian relief m More
The U.S. delivered approximately 50,000 halal meals overnight to Pakistan in support of the government of Pakistan's flood relief efforts Aug. 1, 2010. U.S. aircrews aboard a U.S. Air Force C-130 and a C-17 tra More
Lt. Col. Douglas Schaare, 55th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, receives a pre-flight brief prior to stepping out to his jet, Aug. 1, 2010, Joint Base Balad, Iraq. Schaare reached his 4,000 hours milestone durin More