Don't look down

Master Sgt. Josh Devine climbs over a tire tower at Southern High School Dec. 10, 2011, in Louisville, Ky. Airmen from the 123rd Security Force Squadron were at the high school to use the JROTC's obstacle course as a team building exercise in part with the Kentucky Air National Guard Wingman Day. Devine is a member of the 123rd Security Force Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Maxwell Rechel)

Santa's helpers

Members of the the 914th Airlift Wing participate in the annual Operation Toy Drop Dec. 10, 2011, at Fort Bragg, N.C. Operation Toy Drop is a week-long project where Fort Bragg's paratroopers donate toys to be distributed to local children in need. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Joseph McKee)

Spotter

Tech. Sgt. David Johnson (foreground) signals Airman 1st Class Rachel Rodgers to back up an R-11 fuel truck Dec. 7, 2011, at Barksdale Air Force Base, La. The 2nd LRS petroleum, oil and lubrication flight manages and distributes fuel for all aircraft and government vehicles on base. Johnson is a 307th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron dedicated crew chief and Rodgers is a 2nd Logistics Readiness Squadron fuel distribution operator. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Micaiah Anthony)

In inspection order

Tech. Sgt. Adam Howard inspects an F-15 Strike Eagle during the U.S. Air Force Weapons School mission employment exercise Dec. 6, 2011, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Howard is a 57th Maintenance Squadron quality assurance inspector. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class George Goslin)

Cleared for take off

Tech. Sgt. James Foster marshalls an A-10 Thunderbolt II for an end-of-runway inspection Nov. 10, 2011, at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. The EOR inspection ensures the aircraft is safe before taxing to its spot. Foster is a weapons load crew chief assigned to the 107th Aircraft Maintenance Unit. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman David Carbajal)

Mission to Mars

An Atlas V evolved expendable launch vehicle carrying NASA's Mars Science Laboratory launches Nov. 26, 2011, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. The lab's Rover Curiosity is scheduled to land on Mars in August 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo/George Roberts)

Turnin' wrenches

Senior Airman Seth Milhalik troubleshoots the fuel system in a Humvee Nov. 28, 2011, at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. The vehicle mechanics are responsible for repairs and regular maintenance procedures to ensure vehicle readiness. Milhalik is an 86th Vehicle Readiness Squadron vehicle mechanic. (U.S. Air Force photo /Airman Brea Miller)

In your face!

Neil Fulsang launches a shot on goal against the C Company, 307th Expeditionary Signal Battalion defense in the third-place game of the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson inner tube water polo tournament Nov. 23, 2011, in Alaska. Fulsang is a member of the Alaska National Guard. (U.S. Air Force photo/John Pennell)

Mission ready

Airmen from Joint Base Charleston, S.C. participate in an operational readiness exercise Oct. 27, 2011, at the Air National Guard Combat Readiness Training Center in Gulfport, Miss. The ORE evaluates Airmen’s mission readiness in preparation for real world deployments. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sergeant Chad Trujillo)

In the drop zone

A parachute bundle with an Joint Precision Air Drop System is dropped from a C-130J Hercules Nov. 27, 2011, to a remote forward operating base. The JPAD system uses a GPS navigation system to guide parachute bundles to precise drop zones, minimizing collateral damage, troops' ground travel and the vulnerability of the aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Tyler Placie)

Color me purple

Members of the 509th Security Forces Squadron participate in phase one, the bounding over watch, of the mental and physical challange during the second annual Global Strike Challenge Nov. 7, 2011, at Camp Minden. The competition includes security forces and missile and bomber forces from Air Force Global Strike Command. The teams have the opportunity to participate in innovative thinking, teamwork and esprit de corps that are essential to the mission. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Alexandra M. Boutte)

Free falling

U.S. Air Force Academy cadets with the Air Force Wings of Blue Parachute Competition Team perform at the U.S. Parachuting Association's national championships Nov. 3, 2011, in Eloy, Ariz. The "Air Force Intrepid" competition team took first place in the four-person intermediate free-flying event. (U.S. Air Force photo)

The sky over Dubai

An aerial demonstration team flies over a C-17 Globemaster at the 2011 Dubai Airshow Nov. 13, 2011, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The event demonstrates a shared commitment both to regional security and to developing key relationships throughout Southwest Asia. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Rey Ramon)

Calling in the big guns

Senior Airman Brad Salazar calls in a simulated air strike Nov. 15, 2011, in Barcis, Italy. This training was to help refine techniques and procedures of tactical command and control of air power assets. Salazar is a tactical air control party operator with the 8th Air Support Operations Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Briana Jones)

The sky over Dubai

An aerial demonstration team flies over a C-17 Globemaster at the 2011 Dubai Airshow Nov. 13, 2011, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This year the static displays. The event demonstrates a shared commitment both to regional security and to developing key relationships throughout Southwest Asia. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Rey Ramon)

Just dropping in

A U.S. Air Force combat controller jumps with the American flag during the 2011 Aviation Nation Open House Nov. 12, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Aviation Nation celebrates 70 years of airpower in Las Vegas and the Air Force's accomplishments in air, space and cyberspace. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brett Clashman/Released)

For the fallen

Maj. John Traxler carries the American flag before "Reveille" during a Veterans Day ceremony Nov. 11, 2011, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Following the raising of the flag and the Japanese and American national anthems, four representatives from the services recited their branch's creed and guest speakers shared their experiences with the crowd. Traxler is the 320th Special Tactics Squadron commander. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Maeson L. Elleman)

Always remember

Fallen warriors are remembered during Remembrance Day at the Alaska National Guard armory Nov.11, 2011, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. The first Remembrance Day honors veterans who were killed in the line of duty since World War I. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Cynthia Spalding)

Osan air power

The Republic of Korea Air Force Black Eagles perform aerial stunts in Black Eagles T-50Bs Oct. 30, 2011. More than 50,000 service members and spectators from around the world watched the aerial stunts and jumps during Air Power Day 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo by/Staff Sgt. Daylena Gonzalez)

Purple Heart

Maj. Michael Epper was one of 12 service members recognized for actions taken Oct. 26, 2011, when his convoy was ambushed twice while traveling through Afghanistan's Tangi Valley. The team successfully overcame a 45-minute complex attack in which insurgents used rocket-propelled grenades, small-arms fire and roadside bombs. Epper is from Byram, N.J. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Kat Lynn Justen)

White glove inspection

A C-17 Globemaster III maintainer inspects the aircraft's engines during an operational readiness evaluation of the 437th Airlift Wing Oct. 27, 2011, in Gulfport, Miss. The evaluation was intended to determine the wing members’ ability to fight and objectively measure mission effectiveness. The 437th Airlift Wing is located at Joint Base, Charleston, S.C. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Clay Lancaster)

Check engine light

A C-17 Globemaster III pilot runs through pre-flight checklists during an operational readiness evaluation Oct. 26, 2011, in Gulfport, Miss. Airmen from the 437th Airlift Wing participated in the ORE, which was intended to evaluate mission effectiveness. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Clay Lancaster)

Fighting fire

Firefighters from the 628th Civil Engineer Squadron respond to a simulated interior fire Oct. 5, 2011, at Joint Base Charleston, S.C. The interior burn within the static training aircraft allows JB Charleston firefighters the ability to master their extinguishing abilities in case of an actual event. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Clay Lancaster)

Angel Thunder

Pararescuemen perform a 50-foot hoist extraction from a HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter Oct. 18, 2011, in Tuscson, Ariz., as part of a search and rescue mission during Angel Thunder 2011. Angel Thunder is an Air Combat Command-sponsored personnel recovery/combat search and rescue exercise with approximately 1,400 participants from U.S. military, federal and state agencies and coalition forces. The Airmen are assigned to the 58th Rescue Squadron, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Andy M. Kin)