Sand and sky
An F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 332nd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron at Balad Air Base, Iraq, takes off on an Operation Iraqi Freedom mission Friday, July 21. The F-16 jet is deployed from the 183rd Fighter Wing at Springfield Air National Guard, Ill., and provides close-air support and "eyes in the skies" intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance for ground forces during combat operations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Tony R. Tolley)