Down below

An E-8C test aircraft is displayed during a Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System exhibition in a hangar at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., Dec. 18, 2012. Joint STARS provides wide area situational awareness and early warning for U.S. and multinational maritime task forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Krystie Martinez/Released)

Eyes in the sky

An E-8C test aircraft is displayed during a Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System exhibition in a hangar at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., Dec. 18, 2012. Joint STARS provides wide area situational awareness and early warning for U.S. and multinational maritime task forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Krystie Martinez/Released)

Air Force holds burial service for B-52 crew

Members of US Air Force Honor Guard fold the American flag at a group burial service for six crewmembers of a B-52 that crashed 21 July 2008 off Guam’s Northwest coast. Five of the crew members were stationed at Barksdale AFB, LA deployed to Guam with the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron as part of DOD's continuous bomber presence mission in the Pacific. The sixth crewmember was the deputy commander of 36th Medical Group at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. (Air Force photo by Thomas Dennis)

400,000 hours

An MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft system taxies down a runway at Creech AFB, Nev., Aug. 13. The MQ-1 Predator recently passed 400,000 flight hours during missions over Iraq and Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Larry Reid)

A-10C

An A-10 Thunderbolt II from the 354th Fighter Squadron, Davis-Monthan AFB Tucson AZ launches an AGM-114 Hellfire missile while practicing attack maneuvers at Berry Goldwater Range here in Arizona. Friday February 15th 2007. Friends and families of the Airman were invited to come see the 354th FS practice using live munitions during a red carpet family day. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jesse Shipps)

A-10C

An A-10 Thunderbolt II from the 354th Fighter Squadron, Davis-Monthan AFB Tucson AZ practices attack maneuvers at Berry Goldwater Range here in Arizona. Friday February 15th 2007. Friends and families of the Airman were invited to come see the 354th FS practice using live munitions during a red carpet family day. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jesse Shipps)

Hog Cert

Capt. Paul Brown, A-10 west coast demo pilot out of Davis Monthan AFB, Ariz., flie in fron of the ACC commander Feb. 5 for demo flying certification. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff. Sgt. Samuel Rogers)

Wildfires

This is an image taken from the U-2 Dragon Lady's final flight over the site of the Southern California Wildfires Oct. 31.

F-4 Phantom II

U.S. Air Force file photo

F-4 Phantom II

U.S. Air Force file photo

Digital Warthog

"Behind me is a warbird, and she is ready for war," announced Gen. Ronald E. Keys, commander of Air Combat Command, at the A-10C Initial Operational Capability ceremony at Langley Air Force Base, Va., Aug. 21. The A-10C recently received the most significant modifications in its 30-year history, making it a more capable and survivable attack fighter. The aircraft received numerous enhancements including the full integration of sensors, data link and a targeting pod, allowing the A-10C to identify and strike targets from higher altitudes and greater distances without sacrificing accuracy. (U.S. Air Force photo/SSgt Austin Knox)

Early Sentry

U.S. Air Force file photo.

CMSAF interview

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla -- Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney McKinley, speaks about the importance of the E-3 Sentry during an interview with Staff Sgt. Stacy Fowler, 552nd Air Control Wing Public Affairs. "There have been many times when other countries, knowing AWACS was there, wouldn't launch their aircraft. [They would say] 'No thanks, I'm going to stay on the ground,'" Chief McKinley said. (U.S. Air Force photo)

E-3 tour

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla -- Retired Lt. Col. Sid Howard, a past 552nd Air Control Wing Airman, and his grandson, Nick Howard, walk down the back steps of an E-3 Sentry static display duirng the opening ceremony of the E-3 Sentry 30th Anniversary June 29. The E-3 celebrated its 30th anniversary throughout the weekend by inviting past and present E-3 Airmen to Tinker for tours, briefings and a banquet with Gen. Ronald Keys, Air Combat Command commander, as the guest speaker. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Lorraine Amaro)

30th anniversary mission

Maj. Tim Hart, Capt. Curtis Knighten and Capt. James Garza, 960th Airborne Air Control Squadron, conduct air surveillance and command and control during the E-3 Sentry's 30th anniversary flight Mar. 23. Airmen have been conduring surveillance missions in the E-3 ever since it first arrived at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., on Mar. 23, 1977. (Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Stacy Fowler)

Inspection complete

Staff Sgt. Edgar Lewis, 55th Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief, completes an inspection on exhaust flap seals on an F-16 at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Holly MacDonald)

Amalgam Warrior '98

Returning from a mission during the air defense exercise Amalgam Warrior, an E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control system (AWACS) lands at Cold Lake, Canada. (U.S. Air Force photo by SrA Diane S. Robinson)

Combat Ready

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, VA. (AFPN) -- Two F-22A Raptors taxi down the runway. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Ben Bloker)

Combat ready

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (AFPN) -- Crew chief Staff Sgt. Adam Murtishaw does a post flight inspection on an F-22A Raptor after a Dec. 14 mission. The 27th Fighter Squadron earned initial operating capability today, which means the stealth jet is combat ready. Sergeant Murtishaw is with the 27th Aircraft Maintenance Unit. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Ben Bloker)

Combat ready

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (AFPN) -- Crew chief Staff Sgt. Adam Murtishaw guides an F-22A Raptor into its parking space after a Dec. 14 mission. The 27th Fighter Squadron earned initial operating capability today, which means the stealth jet is combat ready. Sergeant Murtishaw is with the 27th Aircraft Maintenance Unit. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Ben Bloker)

Routine oil change

Airman 1st Class Michael J. Doss, 7th AMXS, Dyess AFB, is draining oil from a B-1 Engine during the Over-G Inspection, 07 October 2003. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ryan A Summers)

Early visit

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFPN) -- Santa Claus gets off an F-15 Eagle a few weeks early to spread Christmas cheer to children here. Santa entertained the children during the 33rd Fighter Wing's Christmas party. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. David Tomiyama)

Aircrew's view

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala -- A C-130 Hercules aircrew from the Puerto Rico Air National Guard watch as the Thunderbirds streak by during the Guatemalan International Air Show 2005. The C-130 was part of the U.S Air Force team supporting the show. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew Lohr)

T-Birds in Guatemala

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala (AFPN) -- The U.S. Air Force Aerial Demonstration Team, the Thunderbirds, arrived here for the first time since 1974. The team arrived Oct. 24 to participate in the Guatemalan International Air Show 2005. Other Air Force participants here include an F-15 Eagle demonstration team from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.; a New Hampshire Air National Guard KC-135 Stratotanker; two C-17 Globemaster IIIs from McChord AFB, Wash., and McGuire AFB, N.J.; and a C-130 Hercules from the Puerto Rico ANG. (U.S. Air Force photo)