Ready for takeoff
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Nathalie Olarte, crew chief, launches an F-16 Fighting Falcon from an undisclosed location within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Jan. 14, 2024. The F-16 can fly more than 500 miles, deliver its weapons with superior accuracy, defend itself against enemy aircraft, and return to its starting point. The U.S. Air Force’s expeditionary capability enables U.S. and coalition forces to rapidly establish credible, combat-ready forces within USCENTCOM’s AOR to proactively deter potential adversaries. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexander Cook)