Hurricane Sandy

A WC-130J Hercules loadmaster Chief Master Sgt. Rick Cumbo, from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, prepares a drop sonde used to measure and transfer weather data back to the aircraft while flying on a weather reconnaissance mission into Hurricane Sandy Oct. 29, 2012, somewhere over the Eastern coastline. The drop sonde is ejected into the storm from the WC-130J using a specialized launcher, which then transmits real-time weather information back to the aircraft. The 53rd WRS conducted weather reconnaissance missions in preparation for Hurricane Sandy making landfall along the Eastern coastline of the United States. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jason Robertson)

Hurricane Sandy

A WC-130J Hercules, from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, flies into Hurricane Sandy Oct. 29, 2012 somewhere over the Eastern coastline of the U.S. The 53rd WRS conducted weather reconnaissance missions in preparation for Hurricane Sandy making landfall along the Eastern coastline of the United States. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jason Robertson)

Hurricane Sandy

Tech. Sgt Chris Becyar, from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, conducts a pre-flight inspection on a WC-130J Hercules in preparation for a weather reconnaissance mission into Hurricane Sandy Oct. 29, 2012, at Hunter Army Airfield, Ga. The 53rd WRS conducted weather reconnaissance missions in preparation for Hurricane Sandy making landfall along the Eastern coastline of the United States. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jason Robertson)

Hurricane Sandy

A WC-130J Hercules crew from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron walk to their aircraft for a weather reconnaissance mission into Hurricane Sandy Oct. 29, 2012, at Hunter Army Airfield, Ga. The 53rd WRS conducted weather reconnaissance missions in preparation for Hurricane Sandy making landfall along the Eastern coastline of the United States. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jason Robertson)

Arizona, Japanese Partnership

Japanese Air Self-Defense Force 1st Lt. Keisuke Ueda pre-flights an F-16 Fighting Falcon before a training sortie at Tucson International Airport, Ariz., Feb. 22. Ueda is one of three Japanese students currently enrolled in F-16 initial pilot training at the Arizona Air National Guard's 162nd Fighter Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Dave Neve)

Arizona, Japanese Partnership

Japan Air Self-Defense Force 1st Lt. Keisuke Ueda pre-flights his helmet with the help of Staff Sgt. Luis Aguilar, an aircrew flight equipment specialist at the 162nd Fighter Wing at Tucson International Airport, Feb. 22. Ueda is one of three Japanese students currently enrolled in F-16 initial pilot training here. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Dave Neve)

Waldo Canyon Fires

Tammy Rich gathers personal belongings from her vehicle June 29, 2012, after residents were allowed to return to their homes at the Air Force Academy, Colo. Rich and her family, along with all everyone else residing on the Academy, were forced to evacuate their homes because of the Waldo Canyon fire that was threatening the base. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Brad Sisson)

Academy firefighters battle Waldo Canyon fire

Tech Sgt. Jason Linta, Bobby Garza and Dean Prestia cut lines to create a firebreak to prevent fires from jumping at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., on June 28, 2012. Sergeant Linta is a firefighter assigned to the Academy and Garza and Prestia are firefighters assigned to Buckley Air Force Base, Colo. The Waldo Canyon fire has destroyed more than 18,000 acres in the Colorado Springs area. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Christopher Boitz)

Waldo Canyon Fires

U.S. Air Force Academy residents Gwenn Garrett and her son Orion Garrett Johnson hurry and pack up their family's possessions during the Waldo Canyon Fire on the U.S. Air Force Academy June 27, 2012. (U.S. Air Force Photo by: Master Sgt. Jeremy Lock)

Waldo Canyon Fires

U.S. Air Force Academy resident Emily Rich carrys a stuffed animal to the car as her family packs up their possessions during the Waldo Canyon Fire on the U.S. Air Force Academy June 27, 2012. Residents were allowed back after the initial evacuation for two hours to gather more belongings. The fires, which have burned more than 15,000 acres, began spreading to the southwestern corner of the Academy in the early morning, causing base officials to evacuate residents. Officials estimated that the fire had spread to about 10 acres of land belonging to the Academy. (U.S. Air Force Photo by: Master Sgt. Jeremy Lock)

Waldo Canyon Fires

Firefighters head to the front line as they continue to battle several fires that burned into the evening hours in Waldo Canyon on the U.S. Air Force Academy June 27, 2012. The fires, which have burned more than 15,000 acres, began spreading to the southwestern corner of the Academy in the early morning, causing base officials to evacuate residents. Currently, more than 90 firefighters from the Academy, along with assets from Air Force Space Command; F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo.; Fort Carson, Colo.; and the local community continue to fight the fire.(U.S. Air Force Photo by: Master Sgt. Jeremy Lock)

Waldo Canyon Fires

A helicopter drops water on the fire as firefighters continued to battle the blaze that burned into the evening hours in Waldo Canyon on the U.S. Air Force Academy June 27, 2012. The fires, which have burned more than 15,000 acres, began spreading to the southwestern corner of the Academy in the early morning, causing base officials to evacuate residents. Officials estimated that the fire had spread to about 10 acres of land belonging to the Academy. U.S. Air Force Photo by: Master Sgt. Jeremy Lock)