Operation Iraqi Freedom • f-16 photography

F-16s are prepared for takeoff on January 29th at Balad AB. The 14th FS is deployed from Misawa AB to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing at Balad AB. [USAF photo by SSgt. Michael R. Holzworth]

Capt. William Lutmer climbs into an F-16 while Senior Airman Skylar Mims assists him on January 29th, 2007 at Balad AB. Captain Lutmer is deployed to the 332nd AEW as part of the 14th EFS. [USAF photo by SSgt. Michael R. Holzworth]

Capt. William Lutmer climbs into an F-16 while Senior Airman Skylar Mims assists him on January 29th at Balad AB. Captain Lutmer is deployed to the 332nd AEW as part of the 14th EFS. The 14th FS is deployed from Misawa AB. [USAF photo by SSgt. Michael R. Holzworth]

Lt. Col. Chris Ashby sits in an F-16 and displays the U.S. flag before departing on a combat mission over Iraq on January 29th, 2007 from Balad AB. Colonel Ashby is the 332nd AEW chief of Safety deployed from the 20th FW, Shaw AFB. [USAF photo by SSgt. Michael R. Holzworth]

Lt. Col. Chris Ashby, a pilot with the 332nd AEW, does pre-flight checks aboard his F-16 aircraft before embarking on a combat mission over Iraq at Balad AB on January 29th, 2007. [USAF photo by SSgt. Michael R. Holzworth]

Lt. Col. Chris Ashby, deployed to the 332nd AEW as part of the 14th EFS, climbs into his F-16 at Balad AB, before departing on a combat mission over Iraq on January 29th, 2007. [USAF photo by SSgt. Michael R. Holzworth]

Capt. William Lutmer, deployed as part of the 14th EFS, does a pre-flight check around his F-16 before embarking on a combat mission from Balad AB on January 29th, 2007. [USAF photo by SSgt. Michael R. Holzworth]

Lt. Col. Chris Ashby, a pilot with 14th EFS, taxis an F-16 toward the runway before embarking on a combat mission at Balad AB on January 29th, 2007. [USAF photo by SSgt. Michael R. Holzworth]

Senior Airman Robert Gattison, a crew chief with the 14th EAMS, assists strapping Lt. Col. Chris Ashby into his F-16 before departing on a combat mission over Iraq at Balad AB on January 29th, 2007. [USAF photo by SSgt. Michael R. Holzworth]

USAF TSgt. Rena Jackman, from the 332nd EAMXS, marshalls F-16C block 30 #85-1570 from the 138th FS in at Balad AB. Jackman is deployed from the 148th FW, Minnesota ANG on February 7th, 2007. [USAF photo by SSgt. Michael R. Holzworth]

USAF SrA Brandon Cook, SSgt. Steven Socia & SSgt. Jared Bicker, from the 332nd EAMS, secure a JDAM bomb onto an F-16 at Balad AB. The weapons load crews makes sure that the load is both technically correct and safe on February 7th, 2007. [USAF photo by SSgt. Michael R. Holzworth]

USAF SSgt. Vanrossem removes a safety pin from a JDAM on an F-16 about to depart Balad AB on a combat mission. Vanrossem is assigned to the 332nd EAMXS and is deployed from the 148th FW, Minnesota ANG on February 7th, 2007. [USAF photo by SSgt. Michael R. Holzworth]

An F-16 flies a close-air-support mission over Iraq on Sunday May 7th, 2006. The F-16, from Hill AFB, is deployed to Balad AB in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. [USAF photo by SSgt. Brian Ferguson]

An F-16 detaches from a KC-135 Stratotanker after refueling over Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom on January 29th, 2007. [USAF photo by TSgt. Cecilio M. Ricardo Jr.]