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

Staff Sgt. Frank Ventura, a loadmaster assigned to the 746th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, acts as outside liaison to clear a C-130 Hercules after it landed because of an in-flight emergency October 3, 2008, at an undisclosed air base in Southwest Asia. With help from maintenance personnel from the 746th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, the problem is cleared and the flight is allowed to continue. The C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport aircraft. The versatile airframe has found uses in a variety of roles and humanitarian aid operations throughout the area of operations. Sergeant Ventura, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, is deployed from Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., 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)