FORT HUACHUCA, Ariz. -- At early morning physical training, members of U.S. Air Forces in Europe Defender Challenge team perform flutter kicks to start their day Oct. 11. The team is spending three weeks here in preparation for the 2004 Defender Challenge competition. Defender Challenge held at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, is a security forces competition pitting competitors from major commands against one another over a series of events. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Justin D. Pyle)   Download Full Image

OVER IRAQ -- First Lt. Damon Overson scans the instrument panel in a C-130 Hercules during a flight into Iraq on Oct. 10. Pilots from the 746th and 386th Expeditionary Airlift Squadrons at a forward-deployed location fly daily missions supporting operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Lieutenant Overson is assigned to the 746th EAS. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Aaron Burgstein)   Download Full Image

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Master Sgt. Carlos Marrero calls the tower to close a taxiway so maintenance crews can remove aerospace ground equipment. Sergeant Marrero is the airfield manager at a forward-deployed location. His job requires him to inspect the airfield daily. He is deployed from MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. (Courtesy photo)  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 15th 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 15th 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