Countering the threat of IEDs

MAIN OPERATING BASE LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan -- An Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician from the 466th EOD Flight, Operating Location-Delta, trains for a mission using a specialized metal detector that can find material underground that may be used in an Improvised Explosive Device. The mission of the Airmen of OL-D is primarily focused on countering the IED threat, destroying enemy caches and munitions stockpiles, and responding to threats of indirect fire. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Tyler Placie)

Expeditionary Units Inactivation Ceremony

Lt. Gen. David Goldfien (left), commander U.S. Air Forces Central Command, and Maj. Gen. Russ Handy, commander, 9th Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force-Iraq, inactivate the 9th AETF-I at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, Dec. 18, 2011. The ceremony took place hours after the last remaining U.S.military forces drove across the Iraqi border per the Iraq and U.S. 2008 Security Agreement that required all U.S. service members to be out of the country by Dec. 31 . Since 2003, more than 1 million Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines have served in Iraq. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo)

Expeditionary Units Inactivation Ceremony

Four Iraqi based Air Force unit flags, 9th Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force-Iraq, 321st Air Expeditionary Wing, 467th Air Expeditionary Group, and the 368th Expeditionary Air Support Operations Group, are seated on a stand during a inactivation ceremony at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, Dec. 18, 2011. The ceremony took place hours after the last remaining U.S.military forces drove across the Iraqi border per the Iraq and U.S. 2008 Security Agreement that required all U.S. service members to be out of the country by Dec. 31 . Since 2003, more than 1 million Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines have served in Iraq. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo)

Expeditionary Units Inactivation Ceremony

Lt. Gen. David Goldfein (left), commander U.S. Air Forces Central Command, Maj. Gen. Russ Handy, commander, 9th Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force-Iraq, Maj. Gen. Anthony Rock, commander 321st Air Expeditionary Wing, Col. Claude Tudor, commander, 368th Expeditionary Air Support Operations Group, and Col. Ralph Romine, commander, 467th Air Expeditionary Group, stand at attention during the posting of the colors during the in activation ceremony of the 9th AETF-I, 321st AEW, 467th AEG, and the 368th AESG at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, Dec. 18, 2011. The ceremony took place hours after the last remaining U.S.military forces drove across the Iraqi border per the Iraq and U.S. 2008 Security Agreement that required all U.S. service members to be out of the country by Dec. 31 . Since 2003, more than 1 million Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines have served in Iraq. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo)

An Airman's Best Wingman

Senior Airman Stephen Hanks, 447th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, and Geri, 447th ESFS patrol and explosive detector dog, look through a window while securing an abandoned building on a routine patrol on Sather Air Base in Baghdad, Iraq, Dec. 11, 2011. For the last six months Geri and Hanks, have been supporting Operation New Dawn by providing explosive and psychological deterrence. Hanks and Geri are deployed from Patrick Air Force Base, Fla. Hanks is from Amherst, Mass. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo)

An Airman's Best Wingman

Senior Airman Stephen Hanks, 447th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, and Geri, 447th ESFS patrol and explosive detector dog, secure an abandoned building on a routine patrol by checking the location for explosives or squatters on Sather Air Base in Baghdad, Iraq, Dec. 11, 2011. For the last six months Geri and Hanks, have been supporting Operation New Dawn by providing explosive and psychological deterrence. Hanks and Geri are deployed from Patrick Air Force Base, Fla. Hanks is from Amherst, Mass. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo)