Start her up...
Tech. Sgt. Gregory Mathes, 379th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron, performs initial engine operations test steps in the control booth as Senior Airman Beau Columbus, 379 EMXS, watches and records each step Sept. 3, 2008, at an undisclosed air base in Southwest Asia. Sergeant Mathes will give the C-130 Hercules engine a good stressful run through during operations and propeller leak checks. The C-130 Hercules primarily performs the tactical portion of the airlift mission. The aircraft is capable of operating from rough, dirt strips and is the prime transport for air dropping troops and equipment into hostile areas. Sergeant Mathes, a native of Greenville, Tenn., is deployed from Ramstein Air Force Base, Germany and Airman Columbus, originally from Buffalo, N.Y., is deployed from Yokota Air Base, Japan. Both are supporting Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom and Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa. (U. S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael Boquette/Released)