Air Force Week in Photos

Staff Sgt. Douglas Bailey, Staff Sgt. Michael Caponi and Senior Airman Nichole Polinski operate a 105 mm M102 Howitzer Nov. 27, 2013, while flying a close-air-support mission over Southeast Afghanistan. The Airmen are 16th Expeditionary Special Operations Squadron AC-130H Spectre gunship gunners. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Jason Robertson)

Airmen from the 376th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron de-ice a KC-135 Stratotanker Nov. 27, 2013, at the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan. Using an extended reach de-icer, Airmen remove the build-up of snow, frost and ice from the aircraft to prevent obstruction of flight operations. The buildup of debris can affect the aerodynamics of an aircraft resulting in a potential emergency. The 376th EAMXS ensures all aircraft are de-iced and secure prior to take off. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Krystie Martinez)

A group of F-15E Strike Eagles taxi following a combat mission during Blue Flag exercise Nov. 26, 2013, on Uvda Air Force Base, Israel. Aircraft from the 492nd Fighter Squadron, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, deployed to participate in the exercise, where they engaged multiple heavy air defense assets, ground base targets and simulated opposition forces to meet combined operations requirements. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Lee Osberry)

Staff Sgt. Ryan Torralba watches a CH-47 Chinook as it carries a Humvee with a cargo sling Nov. 21, 2013, on Travis Air Force Base. Calif. Torralba is assigned 60th Aerial Port Squadron aerial porter. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Patrick Harrower)

Two Air Force pilots assigned to the 83rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron prepare for a training mission Nov. 22, 2013, at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. The 83rd ERQS performs their training missions to ensure they maintain proficiency of their mission capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Kayla Newman)

Tech. Sgt. Christopher Dominguez conducts a HH-60G Pavehawk helicopter tail rotor inspection Nov. 26, 2013, at Moffett Federal Air Field, Calif. Maintainers can be tasked to maintain multiple aircrafts and engines types. Dominguez is assigned to the 129th Rescue Wing Maintenance Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman John D. Pharr III)

Capt. Heather Lendrum enters a C-130J Super Hercules during Impact Day Nov. 21, 2013, at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. Impact Day is an opportunity for aircrew personnel to familiarize themselves with the maintainers’ responsibilities and vice versa. This training exercise was designed for team building, appreciation and familiarity to ensure mission effectiveness. Lendrum is a 39th Airlift Squadron C-130J pilot. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Vernon Young Jr.)

Five MC-130J Commando IIs conduct low-level formation training over Clovis, N.M., Nov. 5, 2013. The New Mexico landscape provides an optimal training environment for aircrews to hone their skills to meet the needs of the 27th Special Operations Wing. The aircraft are from the 522nd Special Operations Squadron at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Matthew Plew)

Tech. Sgt. Chi Yi welcomes new an officer trainee to Officer Training School Nov. 13, 2013, at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. Yi and his fellow military training instructors will instill basic military knowledge during the OTs time here. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class William Blankenship)

Airman 1st Class Neil Mooney watches simulated enemy targets at an observation point Nov. 1, 2013, at the Orchard Training Combat Center near Boise, Idaho. During the training with AH-64 Apache Helicopters from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., Mooney called strikes to the simulated enemy targets. Mooney is a tactical air control party specialist from the 124th Air Support Operations Squadron. (U.S. Air National Guard photo/Master Sgt. Becky Vanshur)