Operation Mountain Lion roars

An F-15E Strike Eagle soars over the mountains of Afghanistan in support of Operation Mountain Lion on Wednesday, April 12, 2006. The crew and fighter are deployed to the 336th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron in Southwest Asia from the 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Lance Cheung)

Operation Mountain Lion roars

An F-15E Strike Eagle soars over the mountains of Afghanistan in support of Operation Mountain Lion on Wednesday, April 12, 2006. The crew and fighter are deployed to the 336th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron in Southwest Asia from the 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Lance Cheung)

Load it up

MANAS AIR BASE, Kyrgyzstan (AFPN) -- 376th Air Expeditionary Wing aerial porters work with maintainers to load a UH-60L Blackhawk helicopter into a C-17 Globemaster III supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. The maintainers and helicopter are deployed from the 33rd Rescue Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Lara Gale)

Red Flag 06-1, Nellis A.F.B.

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (AFPN) -- An F-16 Fighting Falcon heads out to the ranges here Jan. 30, during Red Flag 06-1, held Jan. 21 through Feb. 18. Red Flag tests aircrews' war-fighting skills in realistic combat situations. More than 85 aircraft, including B-2 Spirit bombers are involved. The aircraft are flying missions day and night to the nearby Nevada Test and Training Range where they simulate air war. Along with the Air Force, units from the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, United Kingdom and Australia are participating. The F-16 is from the 20th Fighter Wing, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Kevin J. Gruenwald)

Up to the challenge

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (AFPN) -- Senior Airman Tiegh Tinsley checks AIM-9 missiles before they are loaded onto the F-22A Raptor during the load crew of the year competition here. The event was part of the 1st Fighter Wing annual load competition in January and is the first one to include the Raptor. Airman Tinsley is assigned to the 27th Fighter Squadron Aircraft Maintenance Unit. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Austin Knox)

Deployed fighters

SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- A crew chief climbs into the cockpit of an F-15E Strike Eagle and conducts preflight inspections before departure from a deployed location here Jan. 25. The Strike Eagles were returning to their home station at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England. The aircraft were assigned to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Anthony Nelson Jr.)

Combat ready Raptor

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (AFPN) -- Gen. Ronald Keys and Brig. Gen. Burton Fields answer questions during a press conference to announce the F-22A Raptor's initial operating capability today. General Keys is the commander of Air Combat Command. General Fields is the commander of the 1st Fighter Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Quinton T. Burris)

F-22A Raptor

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (AFPN) -- The Air Force has changed the designation of the F/A-22 to the F-22A Raptor. The service designated it "F/A" three years ago to stress the stealth fighter's ability to provide close-air support and drop bombs. The "A" will now designate the variant of the aircraft. The fighter from the 27th Fighter Squadron (above) went to Hill Air Force Base, Utah, this year for live weapons training. The Raptor is scheduled to become operational this month with the 1st Fighter Wing at Langley AFB, Va. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Samuel Rogers)

Operation Iraqi Freedom

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- Airmen unload cargo from a C-17 Globemaster III here Oct. 11. The aircraft, from the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing at McChord Air Force Base, Wash., flew in approximately 50 tons of food and shelter equipment as part of the Pakistan earthquake relief effort. The earthquake has killed an estimated 40,000 people and has left thousands more injured in Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and the Kashmir region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class De-Juan Haley)

Search and rescue missions underway

RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters from 347th Rescue Wing, Moody Air Force Base, Ga. and the 920th Rescue Wing, Patrick Air Force Base, Fla. depart Randolph AFB, Texas, on a search and rescue mission Sept. 24. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt Jack Braden.)

Raptor practice

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. -- Senior Airman Rick Alexander marshals in Col. James Hecker after returning from a simulated F/A-22 Raptor combat sortie during an exercise here. The exercise evaluated the 1st Fighter Wing's ability to prepare and deploy people, equipment and support assets to a combat environment. Colonel Hecker is the 27th Fighter Squadron commander. (U.S Air Force photo by Staff Sgt Eric T. Sheler)

First Future Total Force wing proves successful

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Senior Airman Jason Meyer (left) and Airman 1st Class Kenneth Bland check the engine of an E-8C Joint Surveillance and Target Attack Radar System during an operational readiness exercise here. The 116th Air Control Wing is the first Future Total Force wing, combining active-duty and Air National Guard Airmen in a single unit. The unit is responsible for the worldwide employment of the Joint STARS aircraft. (US Air Force Photo by Tech Sgt Tim Neville)