Defending freedom
Flight crew members begin to preflight and board a C-130 Hercules bound for a mission to Southwest Asia Feb. 6 at Charlotte, N.C. The Airmen are assigned to the 145th Airlift Wing, North Carolina Air National Guard. The aircraft is capable of operating from rough, dirt strips and is the prime transport for air dropping troops and equipment into hostile areas. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Brian E. Christiansen)