2007 Year in photo review

The year 2007 was a time for reflection and success as Airmen across the world defended their nation through air, space and cyberspace. (U.S. Air Force graphic/Mike Carabajal)

Helping to build a better community

Army and Air Force members of a provincial reconstruction team and children from the local community stretch before they play soccer together in Jalalabad, Afghanistan. A PRT assesses community needs and then builds schools, government centers, roads, medical capabilities and basic infrastructure throughout Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo / Staff Sgt. Joshua T Jasper)

Strike up the band

The Band of the U.S. Air Force Reserve plays the national anthem during a ceremony held in Marietta, Ga., kicking off Air Force Week Atlanta. Air Force Weeks increase the awareness and support of the public by showcasing the Air Force's diverse capabilities and missions and the accomplishments and sacrifices of its Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III)

Home at last

Senior Airman Johnny McMahan, with the 435th Vehicle Readiness Squadron at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, kisses his son Zeffrey after just returning from a deployment to Balad Air Base, Iraq. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Marc I. Lane)

Here we come!

Two F-15 Eagles and an F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 64th Aggressor Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., head to the "fight" during Red Flag 07-3 after refueling. Red Flag tests aircrew war-fighting skills in realistic combat situations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Kevin J. Gruenwald)

'Baby, it's cold outside'

Exhaust vapors form around a C-17 Globemaster III after engine start-up during an Operation Deep Freeze mission. The C-17 and 31 Airmen from McChord Air Force Base, Wash., conducted the annual winter fly-in augmentation of scientists, support staff, food and equipment for the U.S. Antarctic program at McMurdo Station, Antarctica. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Shane A. Cuomo)

It's only just beginning

An Air Force Academy cadet's first task during the field portion of Basic Cadet Training is to set up his or her tent. Tasks during BCT include M-16 weapons training, confidence and bayonet assault training, drill evaluations, tent inspections and aerobic and physical fitness tests. (U.S. Air Force photo/Joel Strayer)

'Hang on, we're almost there'

Senior Airman Dwight Funk, a pararescueman from the 58th Rescue Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., transports a "survivor" during a training exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christina D. Ponte)

Early aviators commemorated

F-15 Eagles from the 48th Fighter Wing at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, fly over a ceremony at the Lafayette Memorial outside Paris where French and Americans gathered to pay homage to the United States' first combat aviators who comprised the Lafayette Escadrille. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Scott Wagers)

Honoring fallen heroes

Staff Sgt. Robert Culbertson pays his respects during a Final Guard Mount ceremony at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. The ceremony recognizes fallen security forces Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Levi Riendeau)

This A-10 is A-OK

Senior Airman Kevin Crawford performs an intake and exhaust inspection on an A-10 Thunderbolt II at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq. A-10s provide close-air support to ground troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Cecilio M. Ricardo Jr.)

A tight squeeze

Crewmembers remove a Marine CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter from a C-5 Galaxy in Djibouti, Africa. The massive C-5s are capable of transporting oversized cargo to any theater of combat on the globe. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Lee Harshman)

Getting an early start

Airmen from the 820th Expeditionary Red Horse Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., board a two-ton truck in Buena Vista, Nicaragua, shortly before departing for a clinic construction site during New Horizons-Nicaragua 2007. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jason T. Bailey)

Teamwork at its finest

Air Force Thunderbird maintainers bring it in for a cheer after completing pre-flight checks prior to a Thunderbird practice show at Naval Base Ventura County, Point Mugu, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Justin D. Pyle)

Spreading some joy

DOD civilians and coalition servicemembers play with local refugee children in Dar Ul Aman, Afghanistan, in support of a volunteer community reach program. During the visit, some 200 bags of clothes, shoes and toys were distributed. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Cecilio M. Ricardo Jr.)

Training in a virtual world

Staff Sgt. Daniel Paxton, an aeromedical evacuation technician instructor, observes students during a virtual walk-through of a C-17 Globemaster III in a simulator that allows students to experience the aircraft's med-evac capabilities in a classroom environment. (U.S. Air Force photo/Steve Thurow)

A call to arms

Staff Sgt. Christopher Curry and Airman 1st Class Brandon Cunningham prepare to load munitions on an F-16 Fighting Falcon at Balad Air Base, Iraq. The Airmen are assigned to the 332nd Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Nathan Doza)

Always on alert

Senior Airman Chris Cabibi checks his gear before beginning his morning patrol at Kirkuk Air Base, Iraq. Security forces there provide an armed response capability to limit, counteract and neutralize hostile action directed against the installation and its vital resources. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Bradley A. Lail)

An avenue for heroes

During an average month, hundreds of wounded servicemembers pass under the American flag-emblazed canopy known as Hero's Highway at the Air Force Theater Hospital at Balad Air Base, Iraq. Ninety eight percent of the patients treated at this hospital survive. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Cecilio M. Ricardo Jr.)

Checking the quality

Staff Sgt. Kara Opperman performs a quality control check on fuel coming out of a fill stand at Balad Air Base, Iraq. Sergeant Opperman ensures the fuel is safe and meets Air Force specifications before it is used in aircraft and equipment. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Nathan Doza)

Honoring heroes

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFPN) -- Tech. Sgt. Scott Glassic places a wreath on a headstone. He was one of hundreds of volunteers who gathered at Arlington National Cemetery to place more than 5,000 donated Christmas wreaths. The 14th annual wreath laying event is the result of Worcester Wreath Company's owner Morrill Worcester's, childhood dream of doing something to honor those laid to rest in the national cemetery. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jim Varhegyi)

The "J" Herc

LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. (AFPN) -- The C-130J Hercules is the latest addition to the C-130 fleet. The C-130J provides life-cycle cost savings over earlier models. Compared to older aircraft, the J model climbs faster and higher, flies farther at a higher cruise speed, and takes off and lands in a shorter distance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tim Bazar)

Frozen Airman

HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii (AFPN) -- Dr. Robert Mann begins identifying an Airman whose remains were found Oct. 16 on Mount Mendel in Kings Canyon National Park, Calif. The unidentified Airman arrived at JPAC Oct. 24 still wearing a World War II-era parachute, with a comb, various coins and other personal effects in his pockets. Investigators at JPAC searched the records of men lost during World War II and found that between 25 and 30 military planes crashed on training missions in California during these years. They have narrowed the list of possible Airmen to four who disappeared during a training mission on Nov. 18, 1942. Dr. Mann is the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command deputy scientific director. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Derrick C. Goode)

New SECAF

THE PENTAGON, Va. (AFPN) -- Under Secretary of the Air Force Ronald M. Sega (left) administers the oath of office to Michael W. Wynne as the 21st secretary of the Air Force Nov. 28. Joining her husband and holding the Bible is Barbara Wynne. Mr. Wynne was actually sworn-in during ceremonies at the U.S. Air Force Academy earlier this month, however, it was decided to hold another ceremony at the Pentagon to allow members of his family and his many Pentagon associates to share with him the joy of the appointment. (DOD photo by R. D. Ward)