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)

Operation Enduring Freedom

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Shawn Clokey, a trombonist with the Air Forces Central Expeditionary Band Blue Hawk from Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Carswell Field., Texas, plays during 4th of July festivities at the U.S. Embassy in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic July 2, 2011. The AFCENT Band builds troop morale and public diplomacy while touring the Area of Responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sergeant Matthew Smith/Released)

Blue Hawk Sings to Iraqi Children

U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Lane McCray Jr., a vocalist with the Air Forces Central Expeditionary Band Blue Hawk from Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Carswell Field,Texas sings to members of the Iraqi Boy Scouts and Girls Guides Council at an Iraqi military installation. June 25, 2011. The AFCENT Band builds troop morale and public diplomacy while touring the Area of Responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew Smith)

Aeromedical mission brings healing touch to AOR

Tech. Sgt. Rachel Anderson, 379th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron aeromedical evacuation technician, talks to medical evacuation patients and fills out medical paperwork on board a C-130 Hercules assigned to the 746th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron during an aeromedical evacuation mission at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. Anderson is deployed from the 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Adrian Cadiz)

Aeromedical mission brings healing touch to AOR

Master Sgt. James Bryon Freeman and Tech. Sgt. Rachel Anderson, 379th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron aeromedical evacuation technicians, inventory medical equipment on board a C-130 Hercules assigned to the 746th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron during an aeromedical evacuation mission at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. Freeman is deployed from the 446th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. Anderson is deployed from the 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Adrian Cadiz)

Aeromedical mission brings healing touch to AOR

Members of the 746th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron and 379th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron gather together for a crew brief prior to an aeromedical evacuation mission at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Adrian Cadiz)

Airmen 'fly-away' for security

Airman 1st Class Allen Stahl, 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron Fly Away Security Team, provides security on board a C-130 Hercules during an air transport mission in support of Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa. Security Forces FAST personnel are responsible for securing aircraft in austere or unknown environments. Airman Stahl is deployed from the 377th Air Base Wing, Kirtland AFB, N.M. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Adrian Cadiz)

Airmen 'fly-away' for security

Senior Airman Brandee Thomas, 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron Fly Away Security Team, provides security for a C-130 Hercules during an air transport mission in support of Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa. Security Forces FAST personnel are responsible for securing aircraft in austere or unknown environments. Thomas is deployed from the 88th Air Base Wing, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Adrian Cadiz)

Air Force leaders discuss future of Airmen in joint operations across Iraq

U.S. Air Force Col. Jeffrey Kelly, U.S. Air Forces Central, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., discusses a manpower issue directly with a roomful of U.S. Army and Air Force leaders, March 22, 2001, Victory Base Complex, Iraq. USAFCENT officials plan to hold a similar conference each quarter. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Andrew Lee/Released)

C-130 is "air ambulance"

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Bobby Stemien, 455th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Flight, watches as patients board a medical bus after a medical evacuation mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Jan. 7, 2011. C-130s are able to land on runways that many other fixed wing aircraft are unable to, making them invaluable when moving patients in austere locations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Harris)

C-130 is "air ambulance"

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Bobby Stemien, 455th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Flight, reviews paperwork aboard a C-130H Hercules to ensure patients are properly transferred to medical personnel at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Jan. 7, 2011. C-130s are able to land on runways that many other fixed wing aircraft are unable to, making them invaluable when moving patients in austere locations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Harris)

C-130 is "air ambulance"

U.S. Air Force C-130H Hercules aircrew from the 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron starts the aircraft's engines before a medical evacuation mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Jan. 7, 2011. C-130s are able to land on runways that many other fixed wing aircraft are unable to, making them invaluable when moving patients in austere locations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Harris)

C-130 is "air ambulance"

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Candice Hunter, 455th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Flight, checks a patient's blood pressure aboard a C-130H Hercules flying over Afghanistan during a medical evacuation mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Jan. 7, 2011. C-130s are able to land on runways that many other fixed wing aircraft are unable to, making them invaluable when moving patients in austere locations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Harris)