22nd EARS goes where needed to make mission happen

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer is refueled over Afghanistan during overseas contingency operations, August 4, 2012. The 22d Expeditionary Air Refueling Sq. (EARS) conducts missions out of Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, and plays an integral role in keeping air assets refueled in support of U.S. and coalition ground forces. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Clay Lancaster/ 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)

Bomb prep

OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM -- An Air Force weapons loader from the 28th Air Expeditionary Wing preps a 2,000-pound bomb to be loaded into a B-1B Lancer bomber Oct. 22, during Operation Enduring Freedom. Air Force B-2 Spirit, B-1B and B-52 Stratofortress aircraft have dropped more than 80 percent of the tonnage on combat missions over Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Shane Cuomo)

Lancer loading

OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM -– An Air Force munitions loader from the 28th Air Expeditionary Wing, preps munitions to be loaded onto a B-1B Lancer at an operating location in support of the U.S. Central Command execution of Operation Enduring Freedom. B-1B bombers have dropped more than 3.8 million pounds of weapons and more than 60 percent of all munitions during OEF. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Shane Cuomo)

Freedom run

OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM -- An Air Force B-1B Lancer bomber from the 28th Air Expeditionary Wing at Diego Garcia takes off for a combat mission Oct. 23 supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Air Force B-2 Spirit, B-52 Stratofortress and B-1 aircraft have expended more than 80 percent of the tonnage dropped on combat missions over Afghanistan. The Air Force has flown more than 600 sorties including strike missions against al Qaeda and Taliban targets in Afghanistan. These targets include early warning radars, ground forces, command and control facilities, al Qaeda infrastructure, airfields and aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Shane Cuomo)