Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa
Tech. Sgt. Mathew Boyer, 379th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 34th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, twists safety wire locking a bolt in place on an Auxiliary Power Unit Sept. 23, 2008. The work crew removed a malfunctioning APU, prepared the new one, and then installed the replacement into a B-1 Lancer at an undisclosed air base in Southwest Asia. In the background, Airman 1st Class John Quintanila, also from the 34th AMU, tightens a bolt on the front of the unit. The B-1, with long loiter times, massive payload, speed and precision weapons capabilities, provides valuable close air support to ground combatants engaged in Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. Sergeant Boyer hails from Saint Louis, Mo., and Airman Quintanila is a native of Agat, Guam; both are deployed from Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael Boquette/Released)