Iraq Commitment Day Ceremony

The Vice President of the United States, Joe Biden, gives a speech during the Commitment Day ceremony in the Al Faw Palace at Victory Base Complex, Iraq, on Dec. 1, 2011. The Government of Iraq hosted the ceremony to commemorate the sacrifices and accomplishments of U.S. and Iraqi service members. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo)

Iraq Commitment Day Ceremony

The Prime Minister of Iraq, Nouri Al-Maliki, gives a speech during the Commitment Day ceremony in the Al Faw Palace at Victory Base Complex, Iraq, on Dec. 1, 2011. The Government of Iraq hosted the ceremony to commemorate the sacrifices and accomplishments of U.S. and Iraqi service members. Ambassador to Iraq, James F. Jeffrey (left) and Vice President of the United States, Joe Biden (middle), and the President of Iraq, Jalal Talabani (right), were present on the stage during the ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo)

Iraq Commitment Day Ceremony

The President of Iraq, Jalal Talabani, gives a speech during the Commitment Day ceremony in the Al Faw Palace at Victory Base Complex, Iraq, on Dec. 1, 2011. The Government of Iraq hosted the ceremony to commemorate the sacrifices and accomplishments of U.S. and Iraqi service members. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo)

Iraq Commitment Day Ceremony

The Vice President of the United States, Joe Biden, gives a speech during the Commitment Day ceremony in the Al Faw Palace at Victory Base Complex, Iraq, on Dec. 1, 2011. The Government of Iraq hosted the ceremony to commemorate the sacrifices and accomplishments of U.S. and Iraqi service members. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo)

Look out below

A member of the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron observes pallets dropped out the back of a C-17 Globemaster III over Afghanistan Sept. 30, 2011. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. David Salanitri)

Sidewinder goes viral

Sidewinder performs a half-hour acoustic set for 8th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron Airmen working the night shift at the passenger terminal pallet yard Aug. 8, 2011, in Southwest Asia. Video from that night was uploaded to YouTube, went viral, and now has over 400,000 views. (U.S. Air Force by Staff Sgt Chad Shaver)

Communicators sets the example

U.S. Air Force Tech.Sgt. Toya Stone talks to an Iraqi Air Force officer about their communication abilities and any problems they have been having at Kirkuk Air Base, Iraq. Part of working with the Iraqis is building relationships along with a level of trust or there could be a chance the Iraqis won't take ther advice and get things done. (U.S. Air Force photo by Seniro Airman Tristin English)

Communicators sets the example

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. James Gaffney talks to an Iraqi Air Force officer about their communication abilities and any problems they have been having at Kirkuk Air Base, Iraq. Sergeant Gaffney hasn't worked with the Iraqis as long as his co-workers, but the trust he's gained from them as made it easier to get his message across. (U.S. Air Force photo by Seniro Airman Tristin English)

Watching the clock

Staff Sgt. Steven Holman, 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron loadmaster, checks his watch while on the final leg of a 15-hour air drop mission on a C-17 Globemaster III July 8, 2011. During the mission, Holman and the crew airdropped a total of 73,200 pounds of fuel and 48,000 pounds of Meals, Ready to Eat to resupply forces on the ground in Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Jeffrey Allen)

Fuel drop

Staff Sgts. Russell Johnson (right) and Stephen Adams, 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron loadmasters, watch as 20 bundles of JP8 fuel barrels are airdropped to ground forces from a C-17 Globemaster III July 8, 2011. The crew airdropped a total of 73,200 pounds of fuel to resupply forces on the ground in Afghanistan. It was one of two re-supply airdrop missions flown by the crew that day. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Jeffrey Allen)

Loading up

Staff Sgt. Russ Johnson, 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron loadmaster, pushes one of 40 pallets of Meals, Ready to Eat onto a C-17 Globemaster III at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, July 8, 2011. Throughout the crew's 15-hour mission, they airdropped more than 73,200 pounds of JP8 fuel and 48,000 pounds of MREs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. David Salanitri)

Sunset at war

From left: Staff Sgts. Steven Holman and Stephen Adams, 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron loadmasters, take a moment to enjoy a sunset outside of their C-17 Globemaster III at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, July 8, 2011. During the crew's 15-hour mission, they airdropped more than 73,000 pounds of JP8 fuel and 43,000 pounds of food. The sergeants are from Joint Base Charleston. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. David Salanitri)