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

NEVER SAY IT’s IMPOSSIBLE Retired Air Force Special Operator Competes in Inaugural Warrior Games ON THE COVER Retired Staff Sgt. Jason Morgan uses a custom-designed race wheelchair for track events during the inaugural Warrior Games in Colorado Springs, Colo. photo support by Staff Sgt. Desiree Palacios illustration and design by Luke Borland

SPECIAL OPS At the Tip of the Spear ON THE COVER Air Force Special Operations CV-22 Osprey can perform missions that normally require both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. See page 36 for a story about the challenges of life as an Osprey crewmember. illustration and design by G. Patrick Harris

OUR HELP: HAITI Total Force Effort

GHOSTWALKERS Unique Security Forces ON THE COVER Airman First Class Airman First Class Melissa Gonzalez is a ghostwalker. As a member of the 822nd Security Forces Squadron, she and her fellow SFS members are trained and ready to go wherever they are called and secure that location in a hurry. photo support by Staff Sgt. Bennie [...]

IMAGINATION TO REALITY The Future in Plain Sight ON THE COVER The new F-35 Lightning II helmet literally plugs the pilot straight into the aircraft. The direct connection puts flight information directly in front and lets the pilot see through the hull of the aircraft. photo support by Lance Cheung illustration and design by G. Patrick Harris