Convoy mission

Senior Airman Cynthia Spalding (left) and Senior Airman Kelly McLain wait for inspectors after strapping down their cargo before a local convoy mission in Southwest Asia. Every vehicle in a convoy must be inspected prior to departure. Airman Spalding is a photographer with the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs office. Airman McLain is a vehicle operator with the 387th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Cynthia Spalding)

Guard unit helps protect nation

Crew chief Tech. Sgt. Gary Holland works to replace a bad central gear box on an alert F-15 Eagle Oct. 2 to get it back to flying status. Sergeant Holland is a memeber of the 125th Fighter Wing, Det. 1,at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla. the detachment provides the Continental NORAD Region commander rapid response to invasions of the sovereign airspace of the U.S. and responds with appropriate defense measures against all hostile actions directed at the people and property of the U.S. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III)

Guard unit helps protect nation

Lt. Col. Michael Birkeland has the green light for take-off during a training exercise for Operation Noble Eagle Oct. 3 at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla. The 125th FW, Det. 1, maintains F-15 Eagle fighters on continuous 24-hour alert status, ready to intercept unknown aircraft at any time for Operation Noble Eagle. Colonel Birkeland is the 125th Fighter Wing, Det. 1 commander. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III)

Guard unit helps protect nation

Crew chief Staff Sgt. Thomas Fitzgerald sprints to his F-15 Eagle after an alert alarm announces the immediate launch of aircraft during a training exercise for Operation Noble Eagle Oct. 3 at the 125th Fighter Wing, Det. 1, Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla. The detachment provides the Continental NORAD Region commander rapid response to invasion of the sovereign airspace of the U.S., and responds with appropriate defense measures against all hostile actions directed at the people and property of the U.S. during Operation Noble Eagle. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III)

Preparing an eagle for ONE

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. -- Two F-15 Eagle crew chiefs from to the 71st Fighter Squadron conduct final preflight checks before a sortie July 16 supporting Operation Noble Eagle. ONE refers to U.S. military operations in direct support of homeland defense. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Ben Bloker)

Loaded for noble mission

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. -- An F-15 Eagle moves into position for take off before a sortie supporting Operation Noble Eagle here July 16. The F-15 is assigned to the 71st Fighter Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Ben Bloker)