Capt. Patrick Noonan prepares to take off in an F-16 Fighting Falcon on a Operation Iraqi Freedom mission Feb. 13 from Balad Air Base, Iraq. Captain Noonan is deployed to the 510th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron from Aviano Air Base, Italy. These missions involve flying close-air support to support coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt terrorist activities. (U. S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Michael R. Holzworth)