Operation Iraqi Freedom

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon conducts close air support operations over Iraq on Feb. 17, 2009, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. James L. Harper Jr.)Released

Operation Iraqi Freedom

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon conducts close air support operations over Iraq on Feb. 17, 2009, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. James L. Harper Jr.)Released

Operation Iraqi Freedom

U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons conduct close air support operations over Iraq on Feb. 17, 2009, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. James L. Harper Jr.)Released

Operation Iraqi Freedom

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon conducts close air support operations over Iraq on Feb. 17, 2009, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. James L. Harper Jr.)Released

B-1B

Air Force B-1B Lancers are one of the aircraft joint terminal attack controllers often request for close-air support. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon)

The eagle strikes

An F-15E Strike Eagle takes off from an air base in Afghanistan recently. The Strike Eagle is a dual-role fighter designed to perform air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. An array of avionics and electronics systems gives the F-15E the capability to fight at low altitude, day or night, and in all weather.

Air Force rescue teams enhance Army medical evacuation mission

KANDAHAR AIR BASE, Afghanistan -- Master Sgt. William St. Clair updates maintenance records on an HH-60 Pave Hawk before a flight at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan Aug. 15. Sergeant St. Clair is a crew chief on the Pave Hawk and has more than three decades of experience in working on Air Force helicopters. The aircraft, as well as the crews who fly and maintain it are assigned to the 305th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Keith Brown)

Air Force rescue teams enhance Army medical evacuation mission

KANDAHAR AIR BASE, Afghanistan -- An HH-60 Pave Hawk combat search and rescue helicopter sits on the flight line at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan as maintenance crews prepare it for possible medivac missions. The crews flying the Pave Hawks here are supporting coalition and Afghan forces by landing in hostile areas to recover casualties and fly them to medical facilities for treatment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt Keith Brown)

Air Force rescue teams enhance Army medical evacuation mission

KANDAHAR AIR BASE, Afghanistan -- Tech. Sgt. Gary Reinhardt reads from a check list as Tech. Sgt. Mark Christie installs a mini-gun on an HH-60 Pave Hawk prior to a flight at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan Aug. 15. The Pave Hawk and crews who fly and maintain it are assigned to the 305th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Keith Brown)

Air Force rescue teams enhance Army medical evacuation mission

KANDAHAR AIR BASE, Afghanistan -- Tech. Sgt. Joyce Lee cleans windows on an HH-60 Pave Hawk at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan before a flight here Aug. 15. The Pave Hawk and crews who fly and maintain it are assigned to the 305th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron deployed from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt Keith Brown)

Air Force rescue teams enhance Army medical evacuation mission

KANDAHAR AIR BASE, Afghanistan -- First Lt. Brough McDonald pre-flights an HH-60 Pave Hawk before his air crew begins its shift on alert at Kandahar Air Field Afghanistan. Lieutenant McDonald is a rescue pilot for the 305th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, an Air Force Reserve unit stationed at Davis-Mothom Air Force Base, N.M. and is attached to an Army unit performing medivac missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Keith Brown)

Air Force rescue teams enhance Army medical evacuation mission

KANDAHAR AIR BASE, Afghanistan -- Master Sgt. William St. Clair pressure washes the drive train on an HH-60 Pave Hawk at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan recently. Sergeant St. Clair is a crew chief for the 305th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron deployed from an Air Force Reserve unit at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. Sergeant St. Clair has worked on Air Force helicopters for more than three decades. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Keith Brown)