Keep it Steady

Contract crewmembers observe the progress as a crane lifts a light pole from the ground into position. The pole is one of 10 being erected on the flightline of the 433rd Airlift Wing flightline at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Viola M Hernandez)

Through the Loop

Emerald Standard Services Inc. crewmember secures the crane hook to a piece of thick wire rope while his coworkers hold the rope taut. The wire rope will be used to erect one of the new light poles which have been erected on the flightline of the 433rd Airlift Wing at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Viola M. Hernandez)

All Aboard

U.S. Air Force Reserve Command 433rd Airlift Wing Airmen and U.S. Coast Guardmen work together to successfully load an Air Station North Bend (Ore.) HH-65C Dolphin helicopter aboard a C-5A Galaxy in Cairns, Australia on May 6, 2012. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Maj. Tim Wade)

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C-5A Galaxy II aircraft on the 433rd Airlift Wing flightline, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brian McGloin)

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Michael Vekasy, project director for the contractor responsible for washing the C-5A Galaxy aircraft for the 433rd Airlift Wing, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, spraying a soap and water mixture on the floor of the aircraft's cargo hold. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Brian McGloin)

Washing a part of complete inspection and maintenance

Mr. Kyle Williams, a contract employee, washes the aft cargo door of a C-5A Galaxy as part of a regular maintanence schedule. The aircraft is parked in an aft kneel configuration to aid in washing and draining of water. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Brian McGloin)

Washrack reflections

Contractors wash a C-5A Galaxy aircraft inside and out -- including the cargo hold, tail section and just about everywhere else -- as part of a regular maintanence schedule. The aircraft is parked in an aft kneel configuration to aid in washing and draining of water.(U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Brian McGloin)

C-5A gets bath before inspection

Contractors wash a C-5A Galaxy aircraft inside and out -- including the cargo hold, tail section and just about everywhere else -- as part of a regular maintanence schedule. The aircraft is parked in an aft kneel configuration to aid in washing and draining of water.(U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Brian McGloin)

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Oscar Zelaya, a contract civilian employee, prepares parts of the landing gear of a C-5A Galaxy for washing. Washing the aircraft involves detailed preliminary work in addition to the actual washing, which is otherwise similar to washing a very large car. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Brian McGloin)

Washing those hard to reach places

Contractors wash a C-5A Galaxy aircraft inside and out -- including the cargo hold, tail section and just about everywhere else -- as part of a regular maintanence schedule. The aircraft is parked in an aft kneel configuration to aid in washing and draining of water.(U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Brian McGloin)

Civilian employers of Reservists and Guardsmen visit the Alamo Wing.

Civilian employers of Reservists and Guardsmen from Connecticut and Massachusetts visit the 433rd Airlift Wing during a recent Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve boss lift. A Department of Defense agency, ESGR was established in 1972. The mission of ESGR is to gain and maintain active support from all public and private employers for the men and women of the National Guard and Reserve. Volunteers of ESGR provide free education, consultation, and mediation for employers of Guard and Reserve employees to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve component members and their civilian employers and to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee's military commitment.

Dawn's early light

The Alamo Wing flight line is always busy, even in the hours before the sun rises. On this early morning, a C-5A was being prepped for a photography shoot for the cover of Airman Magazine. The aircraft, one of the first to receive new instrumentation through the Avionics Modernization Program, was prepared for the morning shoot by maintainers from the 433rd Airlift Wing and Airmen from the 733rd Training Squadron. Though the aircraft wasn?t actually being loaded for a mission, the photos are set up to help show some of the steps taken before an actual mission. The Alamo Wing Airmen and C-5 will be featured on the cover of the July 2009 issue of Airman Magazine. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Master Sgt. Collen McGee)