Secretary of the Air Force visits Al Asad Air Base, Iraq Airmen

Senior officers and enlisted members stand in formation while awaiting the arrival of Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley Sept. 6, 2011, at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo)

USAF Reservist/Airine Pilot recalls 9/11

Col. Tom Fuhrmann, right, receives a military decoration from Maj. Gen. Russ Handy, the commander, 9th Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force-Iraq, and director, Air Component Coordination Element-Iraq, during a ceremony Sept. 2, 2011, at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq. During his six-month deployment supporting Operation New Dawn in Iraq, Colonel Fuhrmann was responsible for integrating air component sustainment and transition efforts. Colonel Fuhrmann is a member of the Air Force Reserves and is stationed at the Pentagon. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Tristin English)

Iraqi pilot program trains future leaders

An Iraqi plane waits for its turn to go to the flightline at Kirkuk Air Base. Iraqis learn attention to detail, airmanship and foundational skills such as the handling of the plane and flying around different types of terrain. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Tristin English)

Iraqi pilot program trains future leaders

Two Iraqi pilots prepare to check over their plane at Kirkuk Air Base. Checking the plane helps the pilots figure out if everything is running properly and making sure there are no unwanted cracks that could cause trouble during the flight. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Tristin English)

Combined Force Air Component Commander visits Al Asad Air Base

Lt. Gen. David Goldfein,Combined Force Air Component Commander shakes Senior Airman Anthony Sangsakda's hand during his visit to Al Asad Air Base, Iraq.Airman Sangsakda, 340 Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, is a In FlightControl Systems Specialist, currently stationed at Seymour Johnson AFB, NC,and his hometown is Oceanside, CA. In the background from right to left is Senior Airman Patrick Rabas and Senior Airman Eric Perkins. (U.S. Air Forcephoto/Master Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo)

Combined Force Air Component Commander visits Al Asad Air Base

Technical Sgt. William Nelson salutes Lt. Gen. David Goldfein,Combined ForceAir Component Commander, after receiving a coin during Lt. Gen. Goldfein'svisit to Al Asad Air Base, Iraq. Sergeant Nelson is a Client SupportTechnician, 340 Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron. He is currentlystationed at MacDill AFB, FL and his hometown is Brandon, FL. In thebackground to the left is Master Sgt. Brian Bowers. (U.S. Air Forcephoto/Master Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo)