22nd EARS reaches 16,000 sortie

Senior Master Sgt. Todd Daniels, 22nd Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron aerial refueler, off-loads fuel to a U.S. Navy EA-6B Prowler from the back of a KC-135 Stratotanker over Afghanistan April 10, 2010. The day of April 10 made 22nd EARS history when an air crew logged the 16,000th sortie. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nichelle Anderson/released)

22nd EARS reaches 16,000 sortie

A U.S. Navy F/A-18 Hornet Strikefighter receives fuel from a 22nd Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker over Afghanistan April 10, 2010. The day of April 10 made 22nd EARS history when an air crew logged the 16,000th sortie. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nichelle Anderson/released)

Tankers fuel the fight

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman James Partin, 376th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron instrument and flight control systems technician, marshals a KC-135 Stratotanker to the taxiway before take-off from the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, Feb. 16, 2010. In a typical flight, a KC-135 refuels several aircraft, and in the course of a deployment they'll off-load millions of pounds of fuel to hundreds of aircraft, supporting thousands of troops on the ground. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nichelle Anderson/released)

Tankers fuel the fight

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman James Partin, 376th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron instrument and flight control systems technician, stands by in preparation to marshal a KC-135 Stratotanker to the taxiway before take-off from the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, Feb. 16, 2010. Due to the fuel the Transit Center provides, Fighters, bombers and other combat support aircraft provide overwatch for troops on the ground, protecting the war fighters and deterring the enemy. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nichelle Anderson/released

Back em' up

TRANSIT CENTER AT MANAS, Kyrgyzstan - Several MRAP-all terrain vehicles are loaded into a C-17 Globemaster III prior to shipment to Afghanistan. Several C-17s provide airlift for military servicemembers and cargo. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nichelle Anderson)

Back em' up

TRANSIT CENTER AT MANAS, Kyrgyzstan - Several MRAP-all terrain vehicles are loaded into a C-17 Globemaster III prior to shipment to Afghanistan. Several C-17s provide airlift for military servicemembers and cargo. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nichelle Anderson)