Back in businessAn F-22 Raptor aircraft takes off from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Sept. 21, 2011, after a four-month Air Force-wide stand down. The commander of Air Combat Command directed a stand down of the fleet May 3, 2011, as a safety precaution, following 12 separate reported incidents of pilots experiencing hypoxia-like symptoms. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Lee O. Tucker)
Bombs on target
An A-10 Thunderbolt II from the U.S. Air Force Weapons School at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., drops a AGM-65 Maverick during a close-air support training mission Sept. 23, 2011, over the Nevada Test and Training Range. U.S. Air Force Weapons School students participate in many combat training missions over the NTTR during the six-month, graduate-level instructor course. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brett Clashman)
Air powerAn A-10 Thunderbolt II from the U.S. Air Force Weapons School at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., provides close-air support during a training mission Sept. 23, 2011, over the Nevada Test and Training Range. U.S. Air Force Weapons School students participate in many combat training missions over the NTTR during the six-month, graduate-level instructor course. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Michael R. Holzworth)
Water survivalAirmen learn skills to maintain life and the proper procedures for being extracted from an isolation situation by maneuvering through the Pensacola Bay in a life raft Sept. 14, 2011, during the Water Survival Course at Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Fla. The three-day course consists of classroom academics; zipline and canopy training; open-ocean drag and drop; parasailing and raft training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jonathan Lovelady)
Readying a rescueAn HH-60G Pave Hawk maneuvers into position to refuel from an HC-130P/N King Aug. 5, 2011, over the Arizona desert. The Pave Hawk is assigned to the 55th Rescue Squadron, and the King is assigned to the 79th Rescue Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Veronica Pierce)
Soaring through the skyAn F-22 Raptor flies over the Tularosa Basin Sept. 28 2011, during an air-to-air combat mission. The Raptor is assigned to 7th Fighter Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman John D. Strong II)
A KC-135 Stratotanker prepares to refuel a C-17 Globemaster III Oct. 3, 2011. The KC-135 is assigned to the 121st Air Refueling Wing in Columbus, Ohio, and the C-17 is assigned to the 437th Airlift Wing at Joint Base Charleston, S.C. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. DeNoris A. Mickle)
Staff Sgt. Jimmy Mills, 25th Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons load crew member, attaches a GBU-38 to an A-10 Thunderbolt II during an exercise at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea Jan. 30, 2012. Beverly Bulldog 12-01 is the first week-long simulated wartime contingency exercise designed to test the base’s response during a wartime contingency. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Stefanie Torres)
Airman 1st Class Hector Rodriguez, 25th Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons load crew member attaches a GBU-38 to an A-10 Thunderbolt II during an exercise at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea Jan. 30, 2012. Beverly Bulldog 12-01 is the first week-long simulated wartime contingency exercise designed to test the base’s response during a wartime contingency. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Stefanie Torres)
Staff Sgt. Jimmy Mills (right), instructs Senior Airman Douglas Howe to lift a GBU-12 to its designated point on an A-10 Thunderbolt II during an exercise at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Jan 30, 2012. Both Airmen are load crew members with the 25th Aircraft Maintenance Unit. Team Osan is participating in the first exercise of the year to test the base’s response during wartime operations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Stefanie Torres)
Air Force officials launch a United Launch Alliance Delta IV-Medium rocket carrying the fourth Wideband Global SATCOM satellite Jan. 19, 2012 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. Wideband Global SATCOM provides anytime, anywhere communication for the warfighter through broadcast, multicast, and point to point connections. (U.S. Air Force photo/Patrick Corkery)
Photo: U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refueling aircraft assigned to MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., prepare for launch as part of an “Elephant Walk” on Jan. 20, 2012. The “Elephant Walk” is a historic, uniquely Air Force term that describes the nose-to-tail, single-file taxi movements of the aircraft synonymous with the nose-to-tail trail of lumbering elephants. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Tanika Belfield)
Off into the sunsetA C-130J Super Hercules flies in a 10-ship formation Oct. 5, 2011, over southern Germany, during Europe's first full-spectrum training environment rotation. The C-130J is assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Stephen J. Otero)
Breaking dawnThree F-16 Fighting Falcons taxi for takeoff Oct. 15, 2011, at Buckley Air Force Base Colo., during an operational readiness exercise. The ORE evaluated Airmen with mission readiness in preparation for real-world deployments. (U.S. Air Force photo/Wolfram M. Stumpf)
Ready to refuelTwo HH-60 Pave Hawks maneuver behind an HC-130 King to perform a helicopter air refueling Oct. 16, 2011, at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., during Angel Thunder 2011. Angel Thunder is an Air Combat Command sponsored personnel recovery/combat search and rescue exercise that combines Department of Defense and non-DoD assets. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Andy M. Kin)
Ready for action
A weapons loader from the 125th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron performs a post-flight check on an F-16 Fighting Falcon Oct. 1, 2011, after its arrival in Iraq. The squadron deployed in support of Operation New Dawn and will provide clos- air support for more than 40,000 troops leaving Iraq by the end of the year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo)
Dropping like it's hotAirmen parachute into a drop zone from a C-17 Globemaster III Oct. 15, 2011, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. The Airmen perform airdrop missions to stay current on training and certifications, enabling them to perform jump missions and operate their own drop zones. The Airmen are assigned to the 820th RED HORSE Squadron Airborne Flight at Nellis AFB. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Taylor Worley)
Eager TigerA U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft with the 4th Fighter Squadron receives fuel as part of an air refueling mission over Jordan Oct. 17, 2011, during Eager Tiger Falcon Air Meet 2011. The Eager Tiger Falcon Air Meet is an annual competition and training exercise for countries that fly the F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Asha Kin)
On a jet planeSecretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta waves as he boards an Air Force E-4B National Airborne Operations Center aircraft Oct. 21, 2011, at Joint Base Andrews, Md. Panetta departed the base to visit defense leaders and U.S. troops stationed in the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Jacob N. Bailey)
Eagle lightningAn F-15E Strike Eagle is illuminated by a lightning storm Oct. 6, 2011, at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Matt Hecht)
Load upAirmen from the 437th Airlift Wing at Joint Base Charleston, S.C., work on a C-17 Globemaster III during an operational readiness evaluation Oct. 25, 2011, in Gulfport, Miss. The evaluation was intended to determine the wing members’ ability to fight and objectively measure mission effectiveness. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Clay Lancaster)
Eagles in AfghanistanAn F-15E Strike Eagle roars into the sky Oct. 6, 2011, over Afghanistan. The F-15s of the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing help provide aerial base defense for Bagram Airfield. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech Sgt. Matthew Hecht)
Help has arrived Airmen from the 920th Rescue Wing perform a water rescue demonstration using an HH-60G Pave Hawk Nov. 5, 2011, during the Cocoa Beach Air Show 2011 in Cocoa Beach, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff. Sgt. Anna-Marie Wyant).
Seeing double Members of the United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron Thunderbirds execute opposing solos while demonstrating the calypso pass Nov. 12, 2011, during the 2011 Aviation Nation Nellis Open House at Nellis Air Force, Base, Nev. The Nellis Open House is an opportunity for the Las Vegas community to view aerial demonstrations and static displays of various military aircraft. The open house is also the final air show of the year for the Thunderbirds. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Master Sgt.Kevin Gruenwald)
No load too big Airmen load a tank into a C-5M Super Galaxy Nov. 15, 2011, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. The C-5M is the upgraded version of the C-5 Galaxy and has a 30 percent shorter take off roll, 58 percent faster climb rate and allows significantly more cargo to be carried over longer distances. (U.S. Air Force photo/Roland Balik)
Skyward bound A KC-10 Extender takes off Nov. 18, 2011, from the Europe. The KC-10, from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., was assigned to the 313th Air Expeditionary Wing to provide air refueling assets to NATO during Operation Unified Protector. (U.S. Air Force photo/Maj. Andra Higgs)
Flight of the falconAn F-16 Fighting Falcon pitches out while popping flares Nov. 9, 2011, over Iraq. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo)
Mission to MarsAn Atlas V evolved expendable launch vehicle carrying NASA's Mars Science Laboratory launches Nov. 26, 2011, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. The lab's Rover Curiosity is scheduled to land on Mars in August 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo/George Roberts)
Cleared for take off Tech. Sgt. James Foster marshalls an A-10 Thunderbolt II for an end-of-runway inspection Nov. 10, 2011, at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. The EOR inspection ensures the aircraft is safe before taxing to its spot. Foster is a weapons load crew chief assigned to the 107th Aircraft Maintenance Unit. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman David Carbajal)
Stop on red Maj. Matthew McGuinness pops a flare to signal an HH-60G Pave Hawk where to land during Exercise Cope Angel 12 Dec. 5, 2011, in Okinawa, Japan. The 33rd and 31st Rescue Squadrons paired up with partners from the Japan Air Self-Defense Force during Cope Angel to train on water and land rescue and triage tactics. McGuiness is the 31st Rescue Squadron director of operations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Maeson L. Elleman)
Last F-16 Fighting FalconSHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Brig. Gen. Jeff Riemer delivers the last new Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon here March 18. General Riemer, who was the System Program Office director when the contract for F-16s was awarded, flew the Falcon from the Lockheed Martin plant in Fort Worth, Texas. While Lockheed will continue to produce F-16s for international coalition partners, this aircraft is the last of 2,231 F-16s produced for the Air Force. The first delivery was in 1978. General Riemer is now the director of operations at Air Force Materiel Command headquarters at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Keri S. Whitehead)
Special deliveryOVER VIRGINIA -- Lt. Col. James Hecker flies over Fort Monroe before delivering the first operational F-22A Raptor to its permanent home at Langley Air Force Base, Va., on May 12. This is the first of 26 Raptors to be delivered to the 27th Fighter Squadron. The Raptor program is managed by the F-22A System Program Office at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. Colonel Hecker is the squadron's commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Ben Bloker)
C-141 makes proud departureBALAD AIR BASE, Iraq -- Airmen applaud and cheer, thanking injured Soldiers and Marines for their service in the war on terrorism as they are brought aboard the last C-141 Starlifter aeromedical evacuation flight from a combat zone Sept. 29. The aircraft, assigned to Air Force Reserve Command's 445th Airlift Wing at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, transported the injured servicemembers to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany, for treatment. The flight concluded more than three decades of overseas aeromedical evacuation missions with the aircraft, beginning during the Vietnam War. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Robert Couse-Baker)
Pakistan relief efforts HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii -- Airmen and Soldiers load a CH-47 Chinook heavy lift helicopter onto a C-5 Galaxy here. Company B, 214th Aviation Regiment of the 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment at nearby Wheeler Army Air Field, received orders to deploy 60 troops, four helicopters and support equipment to Pakistan to support earthquake relief operations. A total force team here helped load the aircraft Oct. 16. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shane A. Cuomo)
C-17 Ship formationOVER TEXAS (AFPN) -- C-17 Globemaster IIIs fly in a formation. The flight from Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. to Biggs Army Air Field, Texas was the largest C-17 formation ever to fly across the country. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew Hannen)
The "J" HercLITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. (AFPN) -- The C-130J Hercules is the latest addition to the C-130 fleet. The C-130J provides life-cycle cost savings over earlier models. Compared to older aircraft, the J model climbs faster and higher, flies farther at a higher cruise speed, and takes off and lands in a shorter distance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tim Bazar)
A call to arms
Staff Sgt. Christopher Curry and Airman 1st Class Brandon Cunningham prepare to load munitions on an F-16 Fighting Falcon at Balad Air Base, Iraq. The Airmen are assigned to the 332nd Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Nathan Doza)
Spreading the wordAirman 1st Class Josh Huffman drops a bundle of warning leaflets over the southeastern mountains of Afghanistan from the back of a C-130 Hercules. The leaflets were used to communicate with Taliban extremists, warning them not to interfere with coalition activities. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo)
In the patternA C-130 Hercules maneuvers for a landing at Bagram Air Base Afghanistan. The C-130 is a very versatile airlifter used to transport people, supplies and equipment wherever they're needed. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Cecilio M. Ricardo Jr.)
This one's about readyCrew chiefs with the 79th Aircraft Maintenance Unit at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., prepare an F-16 Fighting Falcon for take off during an operational readiness exercise. The exercises help prepare Airmen for future deployments. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Matthew Davis)
Raw power
An F-22 Raptor performs for thousands during an air show. The F-22's aero design, advanced flight controls, thrust vectoring and high thrust-to-weight ratio allows it to outmaneuver its adversaries. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Justin D. Pyle)
A tight squeezeCrewmembers remove a Marine CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter from a C-5 Galaxy in Djibouti, Africa. The massive C-5s are capable of transporting oversized cargo to any theater of combat on the globe. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Lee Harshman)
This A-10 is A-OKSenior Airman Kevin Crawford performs an intake and exhaust inspection on an A-10 Thunderbolt II at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq. A-10s provide close-air support to ground troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Cecilio M. Ricardo Jr.)
Falcons take wingF-16 Fighting Falcons from the 18th Fighter Squadron at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, fly in formation over the Pacific Alaska Range Complex during a training mission. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Robert Wieland)
Time for a fill-upA C-17 Globemaster III makes contact with a KC-135 Stratotanker during an aerial refueling rendezvous. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Shane A. Cuomo)
Day is doneA flightline ground crew prepares to tow a Global Hawk unmanned aircraft system to a secure hangar at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. The UAS has a wingspan of 116 feet and is designed to cruise at extremely high altitudes. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Miranda Moorer)
'Baby, it's cold outside'Exhaust vapors form around a C-17 Globemaster III after engine start-up during an Operation Deep Freeze mission. The C-17 and 31 Airmen from McChord Air Force Base, Wash., conducted the annual winter fly-in augmentation of scientists, support staff, food and equipment for the U.S. Antarctic program at McMurdo Station, Antarctica. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Shane A. Cuomo)
