8/2/2012 - A “djin,” or dust devil, launches sand and dust hundreds of yards into the sky just outside Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan here Aug. 1. The meteorological conditions at KAF are ideal for the phenomenon. Dust devils are usually seen during relatively dry conditions, when sunlight is providing strong heating of the surface, and when winds are generally light. The 451st Air Expeditionary Wing at KAF maintains the largest flying fleet supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. The 451 AEW mission is to provide a persistent and powerful presence of airpower using nine types of aircraft. Its key flying missions include close air support (F16C), Command and Control Data link (E-11A), Tactical Airlift (C-130J), Search and Rescue (HH-60), Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (MQ-1/MQ-9/MC-12) and Aeromedical Evacuation (HC-130). (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Russell Martin/RELEASED).