Green Flag-West 11-9

U.S. Air Force Capt. Matt Hendrickson, 171st Air Refueling Squadron pilot, Air National Guard, Selfridge, Mich, conducts pre-launch checks for a KC-135 Stratotanker before a training mission during Green Flag-West 11-9 Aug. 16, 2011, over the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif. Green Flag-West provides a realistic close-air support training environment for forces preparing to support worldwide combat operations.(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Hubenthal/Released)

Green Flag-West 11-9

U.S. Air Force Capt. Matt Hendrickson, 171st Air Refueling Squadron pilot, Air National Guard, Selfridge, Mich., conducts pre-launch checks for a KC-135 Stratotanker before a training mission during Green Flag-West 11-9 Aug. 16, 2011, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Green Flag-West provides a realistic close-air support training environment for forces preparing to support worldwide combat operations.(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Hubenthal/Released)

Green Flag-West 11-9

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Dominic Dizes and Airman 1st Class Daniel Hooper, 20th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chiefs, from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., do pre-flight checks under a F-16 Fighting Falcon before a training mission during Green Flag-West 11-9 Aug. 15, 2011, at Nellis AFB, Nev. Green Flag-West provides a realistic close-air support training environment for forces preparing to support worldwide combat operations.(U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brett Clashman/Released)

Green Flag-West 11-9

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., departs for a training mission during Green Flag-West 11-9 Aug. 15, 2011, at Nellis AFB, Nev. Green Flag-West provides a realistic close-air support training environment for forces preparing to support worldwide combat operations.(U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brett Clashman/Released)

Green Flag-West 11-9

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Doug Schaare, 55th Fighter Squadron assistant director of operations, from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., thanks Senior Airman Troy Mahin, 20th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aircraft avionics journeyman for his assistance before departing on a training mission during Green Flag-West 11-9 Aug. 15, 2011, at Nellis AFB, Nev. Green Flag-West provides a realistic close-air support training environment for forces preparing to support worldwide combat operations.(U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brett Clashman/Released)

Green Flag-West 11-9

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Demetrius Johnson and Airman 1st Class Brandon Jenkins, 20th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aircraft armament airmen, from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., manually load a linkless ammunition loading system with 20mm rounds during Green Flag-West 11-9 Aug. 15, 2011, at Nellis AFB, Nev. Green Flag-West provides a realistic close-air support training environment for forces preparing to support worldwide combat operations.(U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brett Clashman/Released)