Tech. Sgt. Corey Fossbender, 20th Expeditionary Special Operations Squadron arial gunner, checks his mini gun prior to the last combat mission of the MH-53 Pave Low helicopter Sept. 27, 2008 during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The operation began in March 2003, when AFSOC deployed forces to Southwest Asia to remove Saddam Hussein from power and liberate the Iraqi people. The command's personnel and aircraft teamed with other SOF and conventional forces to quickly bring down Saddam Hussein's government by May 2003. To ensure the seeds of democracy had time to grow in Iraq, AFSOC forces continued to conduct operations well into 2010. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon)