MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C. -- A Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey lifts off a runway here. The MV-22 is a tilt-rotor aircraft. When turned toward the sky, the two wing-mounted rotors on the craft allow for a vertical takeoff like a helicopter. When turned forward, the craft flies as an airplane. Air Force officials plan to purchase as many as 50 CV-22 aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. C. Todd Lopez)  Download Full Image

HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii -- Maj. James Kahler, a physician assistant, makes a diagnosis with physical therapist Capt. Kendra Warner. Both are assigned to the 5th Medical Group here. (Courtesy photo)  Download Full Image

HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii -- Capt. Jacqueline King exams one of the more than 25 patients she sees daily. She is a physician assistant assigned to the 5th Medical Group here. (Courtesy photo)  Download Full Image

AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- Senior Airman Joshua Underwood enters data into the Security Forces Squadron weapons storage security communication system here Oct. 7. Airman Underwood is assigned to the 31st Communications Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Priscilla Robinson)  Download Full Image

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Senior Airman Jacques Todd inspects a vital-signs monitor during routine maintenance. Airman Todd is a biomedical equipment technician for the 374th Medical Support Squadron's medical equipment repair center element here. The element staff is responsible for acquiring, installing, maintaining and disposing of medical equipment for the base's 374th Medical Group. They also provide intermediate equipment maintenance for various bases throughout the Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Val Gempis)  Download Full Image

NEAR KARSHI-KHANABAD AIR BASE, Uzbekistan -- Staff Sgt. Alexander Mason adds more cotton to the bale. Base Airmen and Soldiers helped local Uzbekistan women pick cotton during this year's harvest. All cotton is picked by hand. Local Uzbeks earn 3 cents for every 2 pounds of cotton picked. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Matthew Rosine)  Download Full Image

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Staff Sgt. Sergio Chinchilla calibrates a ventilator during an inspection. He is a biomedical equipment technician for the 374th Medical Support Squadron's medical equipment repair center element here. The element staff is responsible for acquiring, installing, maintaining and disposing of medical equipment for the base's 374th Medical Group. They also provide intermediate equipment maintenance for various bases throughout the Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Val Gempis)  Download Full Image

NEAR KARSHI-KHANABAD AIR BASE, Uzbekistan -- Staff Sgt. Christopher Clark adds his cotton to Nazgul Jarilova's bag. Local women work from sunrise to sunset picking cotton by hand. Base Airmen and Soldiers doubled the pickers' workforce during their visit to the fields recently. Local Uzbeks earn 3 cents for every 2 pounds of cotton picked. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Matthew Rosine)  Download Full Image

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Staff Sgt. Sergio Chinchilla (standing) and Airman 1st Class Thomas Elliott calibrate a ventilator during an inspection at the 374th Medical Support Squadron's medical equipment repair center element here. Both Airmen are biomedical equipment technicians. The element staff is responsible for acquiring, installing, maintaining and disposing of medical equipment for the base's 374th Medical Group. They also provide intermediate equipment maintenance for various bases throughout the Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Val Gempis)  Download Full Image

AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- Senior Airmen Jessica Schwien verifies a cable for the upgrade of the base telephone switch here Oct. 7. Airman Schwien is a member of the 31st Communications Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Priscilla Robinson)   Download Full Image

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Staff Sgt. Terence Zelek holds the Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System that is now used in 52nd Fighter Wing's F-16 Fighting Falcons here. The new system puts critical data less than three inches from a pilot's right eye. Sergeant Zelek is a life-support technician with the 23rd Fighter Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Amaani Lyle)   Download Full Image

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Capt. Kevin Lord demonstrates the Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System that is now used in 52nd Fighter Wing's F-16 Fighting Falcons here. The new system puts critical data less than three inches from a pilot's right eye. Captain Lord is an F-16 pilot with the 23rd Fighter Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Amaani Lyle)  Download Full Image

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Staff Sgt. J.D. Williams performs a function check on a GAU-5 rifle here. Sergeant Williams is the weapons custodian and an MC-130H Combat Talon II loadmaster with the 1st Special Operations Squadron here. He maintains all the firearms for 1st SOS aircrews. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Val Gempis)  Download Full Image

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Airman 1st Class Brian Hunter helps load boxed meals into a truck for security forces Airmen at a forward-deployed location. Airman Hunter plays one of many vital roles in bringing food to Airmen throughout the base. He is from Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Bryan Bouchard)  Download Full Image

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Staff Sgt. Jonathan Eha carries Mathys, a military working dog, during a recent exercise at a forward-deployed location. They are assigned to the 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron. (Courtesy photo)  Download Full Image