Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa

1st Lt. Seth Simpson, Co-pilot assigned to the 7th Expeditionary Airborne Command and Control Squadron and Staff Sgt. Jessica Earls, a flight engineer assigned to the 7 EACCS, perform preflight procedures in the cockpit of the E-8C aircraft Jan. 7, 2009, at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. The Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System, or Joint STARS, is an airborne battle management, command and control, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platform. As a battle management and command and control asset, the E-8C can support the full spectrum of roles and missions from peacekeeping operations to major theater war. Lieutenant Simpson and Sergeant Earl are deployed from Robbins Air Force Base, Ga., in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom and Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael Boquette/Released)