Falcons rise with the sun

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Maj. Michael Driscoll, 13th Fighter Squadron pilot, takes off here just before dawn Feb. 3. The jet's single engine is capable of producing 27,000 pounds of thrust taking the F-16 to an altitude of 50,000 feet and a speed of 1,500 miles per hour -- nearly twice the speed of sound. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse)

Falcons rise with the sun

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Capt. Craig Phelps, 14th Fighter Squadron pilot, ascends from the runway in a predawn takeoff Feb. 3. The F-16 can fly more than 500 miles, deliver its weapons with superior accuracy, defend itself against enemy aircraft, and return to its starting point. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse)

Falcons rise with the sun

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Capt. Cory Farrer, 13th Fighter Squadron pilot, taxis an F-16 Fighting Falcon toward the runway for a predawn takeoff Feb. 3. The F-16 is a multi-role, all-weather fighter capable of accurately delivering ordnance during non-visual bombing conditions. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse)

Falcons rise with the sun

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- While piloting an F-16 Fighting Falcon, Capt. Craig Phelps takes off into the Misawa morning sky Feb. 3 during Exercise Beverly Sunrise 10-01. Lasting a total of eight days, the exercise's aim was to hone Airmen's skills as they operated in a "deployed" environment. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jamal D. Sutter)

Misawa after dark: fuels management flight

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Staff Sgt. Curtis Skaggs, 14th Aircraft Maintenance Unit crewchief, places chalks behind the tires of an R-11 fuel truck in a hardened aircraft shelter Jan. 19. Safety of personnel and equipment is a top priority on the flightline, and the mandatory chalks help prevent vehicles such as this from accidentally rolling. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse)

Misawa after dark: fuels management flight

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- An R-11 fuel truck carrying JP-8 jet fuel pulls up in front of a hardened aircraft shelter to refuel an F-16 Fighting Falcon Jan. 19. The 35th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels management flight ensures 35th Fighter Wing and transient aircraft receive fuel 24 hours a day, seven days a week. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse)