2013 Critical Days of Summer

2013 Critical Days of Summer

Inside Combat Rescue

David Clawson, a member of the National Geographic film crew, captures the action for “Inside Combat Rescue” as pararescuemen from Moody Air Force Base, Ga., exit their helicopter after touching down in in a remote area of Afghanistan. The show is a Department of Defense supported Nat Geo television series about Air Force combat rescue efforts in Afghanistan. (National Geographic Channel photo by Jared McGilliard)

Inside Combat Rescue

David Clawson, a member of the National Geographic film crew, captures the action as a pararescueman from Moody Air Force Base, Ga., secure the area while an HH-60 Pave Hawk arrives to whisk them out of harm’s way. In a first-of-its-kind project, Nat Geo had unprecedented access to all aspects of the Air Force rescue mission in Afghanistan for a new television series called "Inside Combat Rescue." (National Geographic Channel photo by John Collin)

Serving through Music

Airman 1st Class Justin Cockerham plays the piano during rehearsal Nov. 7 at Langley Air Force Base, Va. Cockerham brings to the Heritage of America band over 20 years of piano playing experience. (U.S. Air Force photo by Sachel Seabrook/Released)

Serving through Music

Piano keys raise as Airman 1st Class Justin Cockerham plays during the U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Band rehearsal Nov. 7 at Langley Air Force Base, Va. Airman Cockerham has played the piano since the age of four. (U.S. Air Force photo by Sachel Seabrook/Released)

Serving through Music

Airman 1st Class Justin Cockerham plays the piano during rehearsal Nov. 7 at Langley Air Force Base, Va. Cockerham brings to the Heritage of America band over 20 years of piano playing experience. (U.S. Air Force photo by Sachel Seabrook/Released)

Approaching the zone

DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Pararescuemen aboard a C-130 Hercules stand by as they approach their parachute drop zone at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Oct. 9, 2010. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jerilyn Quintanilla)

Load 'em up

DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Pararescuemen participating in the bi-annual PJ Rodeo competition, board a C-130 Hercules on the flightline at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Oct. 9, 2010. The C-130 transported the PJ’s to their drop zone where they executed a parachuting challenge which evaluated their ability to hit a predetermined target. Established in 2004, the week-long competition simulates real world scenarios testing the core skill sets of each team which included trauma medicine, military free-fall and static-line parachuting, rifle and pistol marksmanship, and field/survival skills while working to foster teamwork and esprit de corps among the entire Guardian Angel community. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jerilyn Quintanilla)

To the point

DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Pararescuemen from the combined 103rd Rescue Squadron and the123rd Special Tactics Squadron team, insert an I.V. at one of seven skill stations during an eight-mile land navigation challenge held at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Oct. 7, 2010. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jerilyn Quintanilla)

Planning ahead

DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Staff Sgt. Joel Mack, a pararescueman from the 304th Rescue Squadron based in Portland, Ore., navigates a route to the next skill station during an eight-mile land navigation challenge held at Tucson, Ariz., Oct. 7, 2010. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jerilyn Quintanilla)

The game plan

DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Pararescuemen from the 212th Rescue Squadron based in Anchorage, Alaska, plan their route prior to departing for an eight-mile land navigation challenge as part of the bi-annual PJ Rodeo competition held at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Oct. 7, 2010. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jerilyn Quintanilla)

Tools of the trade

DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Pararescuemen from the 48th Rescue Squadron familiarize themselves with tools and materials given to them prior to departing for an eight-mile land navigation challenge as part of the bi-annual PJ Rodeo competition held at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Oct. 7, 2010. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jerilyn Quintanilla)

Enhanced Mojave Viper Exercise

Staff Sgt. David Clifford checks the brakes on an A-10C Thunderbolt II Aug. 13, 2010, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., before its departure to Arizona in support of the Enhanced Mojave Viper Exercise. Sergeant Clifford is an A-10 demonstration team crew chief with Air Combat Command East Coast team. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Benjamin Wiseman)

Enhanced Mojave Viper Exercise

Capt. Brendhan Goss makes eye contact with his crew chief during a preflight inspection before closing the canopy on an A-10C Thunderbolt II Aug. 13, 2010, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. Captain Goss is an instructor pilot with the 74th Fighter Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Benjamin Wiseman)

Air Force Marathon

ACC Runners will attempt to win the MAJCOM Challenge at the 2010 Air Force Marathon September 18 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. (U.S. Air Force photo)

MOPP Gear

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- Airman 1st Class Julie Kemps, 28th Medical Operations Squadron flight medicine technician, breathes through her gas mask during a phase II operational readiness exercise, July 21. Airmen wear the gas mask during the phase II ORE as a means to improve their skills, should an actual attack occur while deployed. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Anthony Sanchelli)

MOPP Gear

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. – Airman 1st Class John Henry, 28th Medical Operations Squadron ambulance services technician, waits out a simulated chemical attack while in mission-oriented protective posture gear during a phase II operational readiness exercise, July 21. A phase II ORE is designed to prepare Airmen for deployed operations, including potential chemical attacks. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Corey Hook)

MOPP Gear

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. – Airman 1st Class Julie Kemps, 28th Medical Operations Squadron flight medicine technician, performs a buddy check on Airman 1st Class John Henry, 28th Medical Operations Squadron ambulance services technician, during a phase II operational readiness exercise, July 21. After donning mission-oriented protective posture gear, Airmen perform buddy checks on each other to ensure the gear is being worn properly. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Corey Hook)

Phase II ORE

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. – Airmen from the 28th Security Forces Squadron defend their position during a simulated ground attack of a phase II operational readiness exercise, July 21. The phase II ORE tests Airmen in a simulated deployed environment. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Matthew Flynn)

Phase II ORE

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. – Airmen from the 28th Civil Engineer Squadron prepare to transport an exercise victim to a medical facility after performing self-aid buddy care during a phase II operational readiness exercise, July 20. The exercise victim is suffering from a simulated abdominal wound. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Matthew Flynn)

Phase II ORE

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. – Airman from the 28th Medical Group evacuate a building during a simulated chemical attack of a phase II operational readiness exercise, July 20. The ORE is designed to test Airmen across the base on their ability to operate in a deployed environment. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Matthew Flynn)

Phase II ORE

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. – Airman Courtney Allen, 28th Munitions Squadron weapons loader, drives a munitions handling unit during the phase II operational readiness exercise, July 21. Munitions handling units are used daily by the 28th Munitions Squadron for transporting various bombs. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Corey Hook)

Phase II ORE

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE S.D. -- (Left to right) Airman 1st Class Alejandro Sanchez, 28th Munitions Squadron weapons loader, straps a guided bomb unit-38 to a trailer, while Staff Sgt. Matthew Egler, 28 MUNS weapons loader, drives a munitions handling unit during a phase II operational readiness exercise, July 21. During the phase II ORE, 28 MUNS Airmen are essential to achieving mission success in a simulated environment. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Anthony Sanchelli)

Phase II ORE

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE S.D. -- Airman 1st Class Alejandro Sanchez, 28th Munitions Squadron weapons loader, straps a guided bomb unit-38 to a munitions handling unit before it's loaded onto a B-1B Lancer during a phase II operational readiness exercise, July 21. During the phase II ORE, Airmen must continue to perform their duties despite having to wear mission-oriented protective posture gear over the Airman battle uniform. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Anthony Sanchelli)