Flying hospital staff gives wounded fighting chance

U.S. Air Force Maj. Missy Steckler, flight nurse, 451st Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Flight, directs the transport of patients from an ambulance to the cargo bay of a C-130J Super Hercules July 19, Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Shawn Weismiller/Released)

Golden Hour

From the side of an HH-60G Pave Hawk, Senior Airman Clint Lentz, pararescueman with the 129th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, watches for any potential dangers prior to landing June 26, 2009, Hemland Province, Afghanistan. Airman Lentz and the rest of the crew are responding to a Medevac request to aid personnel conducting combat operations further down range. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Shawn Weismiller)

Golden Hour

Inside of an HH-60G Pave Hawk, Senior Airman Clint Lentz, pararescueman, 129th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron watches for any potential dangers prior to landing June 26, 2009, Camp Bastion, Afghanistan. Airman Lentz and the rest of the crew are bringing an injured Afghan National Army Soldier to a hospital for further care. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Shawn Weismiller)

Golden Hour

An HH-60G Pave Hawk takes off from Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, June 23, 2009. The HH-60G is manned by Airmen of the 129th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron and they are responding to a medevac request to aid wounded personnel down range. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Shawn Weismiller)

Flight Engineer

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. James Patterson, flight engineer with the 129th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, performes a preflight inspection of a HH-60G Pave Hawk, June 23, 2009, Camp Bastion, Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Shawn Weismiller)

Flight Engineers

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brock Woodward, flight engineer with the 129th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, performes a preflight inspection of a .50 caliber machine gun June 23, 2009, Camp Bastion Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Shawn Weismiller)