Operation Iraqi Freedom • f-16 photography

USAF F-16C block 52 #93-0543 assigned to the 157th EFS pilot hand signals before taxiing out on a combat sortie from a forward-deployed location in support of OIF on April 5th, 2003. [USAF photo by MSgt. Terry L. Blevins]

Lt.Col. Jack Forsythe, Commander, 55th EFS performs the preflight check of his F-16C before departing for a mission at Incirlik AB in support of OIF on April 12th, 2003. [USAF photo by SSgt. Dennis J. Henry Jr.]

A USAF pilot with the call sign 'Kong', assigned to the 157th EFS, South Carolina ANG, adjusts his night vision goggles and oxygen mask on his flight helmet prior to departing for a mission during OIF on April 10th, 2003. [USAF photo by SMSgt. Edward E. Snyder]

GBU-31A 1000-pound JDAMs await to be loaded on F-16s assigned to the 157th EFS at a forward-deployed location in support of OIF on April 8th, 2003. [USAF photo by SMSgt. Edward E. Snyder]

TSgt. Anthony King (right) and TSgt. Art Cavannaugh, Weapons Technicians with the 157th AMXU begin loading GBU-31A 1000-pound JDAMs on waiting F-16Cs assigned to the 157th EFS at a forward-deployed location in support of OIF on April 8th, 2003. [USAF photo by SMSgt. Edward E. Snyder]

SSgt. Michael Glenn, Crew Chief, 157th EFS South Carolina ANG relaxes under the shade of his aircraft as crewmembers prepare a second F-16C for a mission while deployed with the 379th AEW in Southwest Asia supporting OIF on April 11th, 2003. [USAF photo by SMSgt. Edward E. Snyder]

A USAF F-16C assigned to the 157th EFS begins to taxi out on a combat sortie from a forward-deployed location in support of OIF on April 5th, 2003. [USAF photo by MSgt. Terry L. Blevin]

USAF F-16C block 30 #85-1501 from the 107th FS is seen taxiing out for another mission during a deployment in Iraq in May of 2004. [F-16.net photo]

Capt. Patrick Noonan climbs out of F-16C block 40 #88-0443 from the 510th FS at Balad AB after completing a mission on February 13th, 2007. Noonan is from the 510th EFS at Aviano AB. [USAF photo by SSgt. Michael R. Holzworth]

Airmen push F-16C block 40 #89-2049 from the 510th FS into a hardened aircraft shelter at Balad AB on February 13th, 2007. The Airmen are with 332nd EAMS, Aviano AB. [USAF photo by SSgt. Michael R. Holzworth]

USAF F-16C's, including #88-0443, taxi toward the runway for a mission from Balad AB on February 13th, 2007. The aircraft are attached to 510th EFS from Aviano AB. [USAF photo by SSgt. Michael R. Holzworth]

Twelve F-16s, including some from the 127th FW returned on March 2nd, 2007 to Selfridge ANGB in Michigan after serving in support of OIF. Approximately 250 members of the Michigan ANG were deployed to Balad AB. [USAF photo by John S. Swanson]

USAF F-16C block 25 #84-1235 from the 179th FS is shown at Balad AB, as Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty meets with 148th FW personnel during his visit there on March 7th, 2007. [USAF photo by Capt. Ken Hall]

SSgt. Christopher Curry and SrA. Roseanne Williams, both from the 332nd EAMS, prepare to load munitions on an F-16 on February 4th, 2007 at Balad AB. [USAF photo by A1C. Nathan Doza]