Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa
Staff Sgt. Eric Mutschlechner performs a 60-hour inspection as Staff Sgt. Anthony Hernandez and Airman 1st Class Alexander Lesch perform a 120-hour inspection on a KC-135 Stratotanker engine, Nov. 20, at an undisclosed air base in Southwest Asia. The maintenance team, assigned to the 379th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, completes both inspections on each engine of a KC-135. The KC-135 Stratotanker provides the core aerial refueling capability for the United States Air Force and also provides aerial refueling support to Navy, Marine Corps and allied nation aircraft in the Central Command area of responsibility. Sergeant Mutschlechner is a native of San Marcos, Texas, and is deployed from MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. Sergeant Hernandez hails from Barstow, Calif., and is deployed from McConnell AFB, Kan. Airman Lesch is from Burlington Wis., and deployed from Grand Forks AFB, N.D. All three are here supporting Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom and Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael Boquette/Released)