AIRMAN AT WAR A Look at the Air Force since 9/11 ON THE COVER Tech. Sgt. Rudy Skultety is a fuels specialist at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. Skultety deployed to Afghanistan in support of Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul. photo support by Staff Sgt. Brian Ferguson photo illustration by Patrick Harris

LONE RANGER Airman takes on the Army’s elite combat leadership course ON THE COVER Air Force Staff Sgt. Edward McCorkell recently graduated from Army Ranger School, the Army’s elite combat leadership course. photo by Tech. Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III design by Luke Borland

FINDING THE STRENGTH TO FIGHT Air Force boxer faces formidable opponents on journey to Armed Forces Boxing Championship ON THE COVER Staff Sgt. James Beck competed at the 2011 Armed Forces Boxing Championship at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. photo support by Steve White illustration and design by Luke Borland

KERI’S WAR Combat photographer puts herself on the other side of the lens in her fight against cancer ON THE COVER Master Sgt. Keri Whitehead, 1st Combat Camera Squadron, Joint Base Charleston, S.C., documents her fight against cancer on www.keriswar.org. photo support by Master Sgt. Jeremy Lock design by Luke Borland

AIRMAN’S BEST FRIEND Military working dogs look for a little “Rrespect” ON THE COVER Rruuk is one of eight puppies born June 2 at the Department of Defense Military Working Dog Breeding Program at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. The puppies are preparing for military working dog training. photo support by Tech. Sgt. Bennie J. Davis [...]

CHUCK YEAGER Master of the Sky ON THE COVER Retired Brig. Gen. Chuck Yeager became the first man to break the sound barrier on Oct. 14, 1947, less than one month after the Air Force became a separate service. photo support by Tech. Sgt. Bennie Davis III illustration and design by Luke Borland