Maj. Jason Costello does a preflight inspection of his F-15 Eagle before the F-15/F-22 Raptor Passing of the Torch Ceremony Dec. 1 at Langley Air Force Base, Va. The Passing of the Torch Ceremony showcased the end of an era for the F-15 East Coast Demo Team and the beginning of the F-22 leading the way in aerial fighter demonstration. Major Costello is the last F-15 East Coast Demo pilot. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel Rogers)
Memeber of the 146th Airlift Wing prepare to send off aircraft 1862 and 1833 Dec. 2 from Channel Island Air National Guard Station, Calif. Wing Airmen flew their last two C-130 Hercules for the final time. The aircraft were delivered to the Air Force in the early 1960's and came to the 146th in 1974. They served in many ways including bringing in relief supplies and tranporting injured citizens natural disasters, most recently Huricane Katrina. The wing's C-130s were also capable of delivering fire retardant to help fight wildfires. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Dave Buttner)
Staff Sgt. Mark Porter and Senior Airman Nicole LaGrow upload software onto an E-8C Joint STARS aircraft as they perform radio and computer checks in preparation for a flight. Both Airmen are assigned to the 12th Expeditionary Airborne Command and Control Squadron. The flight over Iraq marked 20,000 flying hours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom by the Boeing 707 equipped with the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System. Accomplishing that feat since early 2003 have been the combined efforts of the 12th EACCS, 16th EACCS and 128th EACCS, all from Robins Air Force Base, Ga., during alternating 90-day rotations. The JSTARS is an airborne battle management aircraft specializing in command and control, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance gathering. Information gathered is passed in real time to servicemembers on the ground conducting combat operations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Ricky Best)
