ANG heads to Antarctica

Master Sgt. Carmello Modesto loads equipment sleds destined for the U.S. Antarctic Program's South Pole research station into the back of an LC-130 Hercules at McMurdo Station, Antarctica, Nov. 30, 2004. (U.S. Air Force photo/Benjamin Carr)

Critical training

Air Force Master Sgt. Michael Noel attends class with Marines and one international student during the U.S. Marine Corps Staff Noncommissioned Officer Academy Advanced Course at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., Sept. 14, 2012. Noel is attending Senior Enlisted Professional Military Education as part of a new program called EPME-Next. Noel is the Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs superintendent of force management at the Pentagon. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christina Brownlow)

12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year

Senior Airman Bryenna Brooks is congratulated by Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy during the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year banquet at the 2012 Air Force Association’s Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2012. The recipients were recognized for superior leadership, job performance, community involvement and personal achievements. Brooks is with the 2nd Medical Operation Squadron at Barksdale Air Force Base, La. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Aaron Stout)

12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year

The U.S. Air Force Honor Guard provides escort support of the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year during the 2012 Air Force Association’s Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2012. The recipients were recognized for superior leadership, job performance, community involvement and personal achievements. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Aaron Stout)

12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy, left, and Sandy Schlitt, right, Air Force Association's chairman of the board, present a plaque to Senior Airman Nicholas Hurt during the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year reception and awards dinner in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2012. The recipients were recognized for superior leadership, job performance, community involvement and personal achievements. Hurt is with the 721st Security Forces Squadron from Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, Colo. (U.S. Air Force photo/Jim Varhegyi)

12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy, left, and Sandy Schlitt, right, Air Force Association's chairman of the board, present a plaque to Senior Master Sgt. Emilio Hernandez during the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year reception and awards dinner in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2012. The recipients were recognized for superior leadership, job performance, community involvement and personal achievements. Hernandez is with the 100th Civil Engineer Squadron from Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England. (U.S. Air Force photo/Jim Varhegyi)