KIRKUK AIR BASE, Iraq -- Airman 1st Class Nolan Johnsen replaces a harmonic balancer on a generator. He is assigned to the 727th Expeditionary Air Control Squadron Detachment 1 here. The detachment's Airmen provide commanders and pilots with a real-time view of northern Iraq's airspace.

U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Gish

KIRKUK AIR BASE, Iraq -- Airman 1st Class Derek Riley checks over a radar antenna. He is assigned to the 727th Expeditionary Air Control Squadron Detachment 1 here.

The detachment's Airmen provide commanders and pilots a real-time view of northern Iraq's airspace.

U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Gish

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan -- An EC-130H Compass Call aircraft with the 41st Expeditionary Electronic Combat Squadron prepares for takeoff in support of Afghanistan's National Assembly elections Sept. 18.

The aircraft, along with A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and U.S. Navy EA-6B Prowlers, have stepped up efforts throughout Afghanistan to deter enemy aggression and help ensure voter safety.

U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. James H. Cunningham

DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. -- Hurricane Hunters from the Air Force Reserve's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron land their WC-130J Hercules here after a flight to check on Hurricane Rita. The Airmen gather information on the storm including atmospheric pressure, temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, wind speed and direction and send it directly to the National Hurricane Center. The Hurricane Hunters are the only Department of Defense organization still flying into tropical storms and hurricanes, and have done so since 1944.

U.S. Air Force photo by Don Peek