First combat XCDS drop

A C-130J Hercules sits on the flightline at Kandahar Airfield, as crews work to prepare the aircraft for an airdrop mission April 29. The airdrop mission was the first use of Extracted Container Delivery System in Afghanistan, a new, more accurate, method of airdrop designed to pull the bundles out of the aircraft faster. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Scott Saldukas)

Day on the Job: C-130 Maintenance

SOUTHWEST ASIA – Senior Airman Dave Smith, 746th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, opens an engine panel to do post-flight maintenance, May 1. Each C-130H turboprop is capable of delivering 4,591 prop shaft horsepower. Smith is deployed from Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. (US. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Joel Mease)

KC-135

U.S. Air Force Capt. Nathaniel Berroth, 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron pilot, talks with members of the 379th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron during preflight checks on a KC-135 Stratotanker at an undisclosed location, April 30, 2013. Airmen from the 340th EARS refuel a variety of coalition aircraft throughout the entire area of responsibility. Berroth is from the Kansas Air National Guard, 117th Air Refueling Squadron, Forbes Field Air National Guard Base, Topeka, Kan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Dennis J. Henry Jr.)

Providing pilots' protection

Senior Airman Dieri Dieujuste, 74th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron aircrew flight equipment technician deployed from Moody Air Force Base, Ga., tests a Scorpion Helmet-Mounted Integrated Targeting system on Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, April 29, 2013. The Scorpion increases pilots' combat effectiveness by displaying targeting and tracking data in real time through an eyepiece. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. David Dobrydney)

Coalition forces commemorate 98th annual ANZAC Day

SOUTHWEST ASIA – The Royal Australian Air Force invited the Grand Slam Wing to take part in a dawn, wreath-laying service April 25 to remember all who served and died in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations in which Australian and New Zealand defense forces have been engaged. The dawn service focuses on the quiet moments before dawn during conflict, where soldiers were woken up to “stand-to” in the quiet moments before another day of battle would begin. The Thursday morning ceremony here began at 4:20 a.m. – the time ANZAC Forces made landfall on Gallipoli in 1915 -- hosted by RAAF Task Unit 633.2.5 Wing Commander Paul Gibbs, followed by a hymn, dedication, sonnet and requiem. Coalition representatives here laid a wreath, including the Australians, New Zealanders, British, Americans, French, Canadians, Italians and Belgians. After the laying of wreaths, an ode of remembrance was read before a playing of the last post. After the moment of silence, reveille played, a prayer given and the ceremony concluded with the national anthems of Australia and New Zealand. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Brendan Kavanaugh)

Day on the Job: Kennel

SOUTHWEST ASIA - Tech. Sgt. David Helmbrecht, 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron kennel master, swings Nico after the military working dog successfully attacks the bite sleeve in the obedience yard, April 23. Because of Nico’s weight and the force of his momentum when he attacks, dog handlers swing him when they wear the bite suit to help prevent Nico from injuring himself. Helmbrecht is deployed from Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., and Nico is deployed from Travis Air Force Base, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Joel Mease)