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

Close-air support

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer from the 34th Expeditionary Squadron flys a combat patrol over Afghanistan Dec.10. Pilots rely on tactical air control party members to be their eyes on the ground. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon)

Close-air support

U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets deploy heat flairs during a combat patrol over Afghanistan Dec. 15. Trust between joint terminal attack controllers and pilots serves as an important aspect of close-air support. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon)

Operation Iraqi Freedom

A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker from the 763rd Expiditionary Refueling Squadron in-refuels a U.S.Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon from Joint Base Balad, Iraq during a combat mission over Iraq on Sept. 3, 2008. (Photo Cleared for Public Release) (photo by SSgt Aaron Allmon II)

OEF

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 KC-135 is assigned to the 22nd Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Manas Air Base Kyrgyzstan and is deployed from 141st Air Refueling Wing Fairchild Air Force Base Wash. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Andy Dunaway) (Released)