Three of a kind

C-17 Globemaster IIIs conduct a variety of air mobility operations here at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan on May 10, 2012. Passengers wait to board, while cargo is uploaded to a parked C-17 and another departs for a mission. The C-17 conducts missions from Kandahar Airfield, the single busiest NATO-run airfield in the world. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Frank Hartnett)

F-16C's bring decisive airpower to Afghanistan

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Anthony Noesen and Staff Sgt. Jared Newman with the 451st Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, perform final checks and engine start-up on an F-16C, Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, April 5, 2012. The mission of the 451st EAMXS is to provide their aircraft with efficient maintenance support in order to deliver decisive airpower for Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Greg Biondo)

F-16C's bring decisive airpower to Afghanistan

U.S. Air Force Maj. Chad Lewis, an F-16C pilot with the 451st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, performs pre-flight checks on his aircraft, Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, April 3, 2012. The mission of the 451st EFS is to deliver decisive airpower on target, on time. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Greg Biondo)

F-16C's bring decisive airpower to Afghanistan

U.S. Air Force Maj. Todd Pierce, a pilot with the 451st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and native of Norwalk, Iowa, inspects the bombs and missiles on an F-16C Fighting Falcon, April 5, 2012, at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. The mission of the 451st EFS is to deliver decisive airpower on target, on time.

Who's there?

Staff Sgt. Danielle Williams, 451st Expeditionary Force Support Flight Lodging NCO in charge, participates in a force protection exercise and looks over a defensive fighting position near a locked gate at Camp Losano, April 28, 2012, here at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. The exercise prepared Airmen to be ready at a moments notice for different force protection scenarios, such as a ground attack in the area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Heather Skinkle)

Fallen, not forgotten

Photo of a memorial freshly painted onto a barrier next to the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation building at the newly dedicated Camp Bradley Smith here at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, April 22, 2012. Camp Bradley Smith was named in honor of Senior Airman Bradley Smith, a Joint Terminal Attack Controller, who gave his life on the battlefield, January 3, 2010, recovering fallen and wounded service members while under fire. The Camp currently has more than 350 residents, but soon, once building renovations are complete the camp will house the more than 2,000 Airmen.