Operation Iraqi Freedom

Members of the 112th EFS pay their final respects during a memorial ceremony for Lt.Col. Kevin Sonnenberg on June 19th, 2007 at Balad AB. The pilot died on June 15th when his F-16 crashed shortly after takeoff on a mission to provide air support to ground forces fighting anti-Iraq forces. [USAF photo by TSgt. Alan Port]

Brig. Gen. Robin Rand, 332nd AEW, stands with 1st Lt. Kevin Sweeney, F-16 pilot, at the conclusion of the general's 104th and final combat mission in OIF on June 26th, 2007. In the background is F-16C block 30 #85-1458 from the 457th FS. [USAF photo by Lt. Col. Robert Mortensen]

A1C Mark Drennen, a 332nd EAMXS weapons load team member deployed from Misawa AB removes the safety pin on the 20mm gun of F-16C block 50 #90-0822 from 14th FS before a combat mission on June 27th, 2007, from Balad AB. [USAF photo by 1st Lt. Shannon Collins]

Two F-16Cs from the 125th FS go through arming at the end of runway at Balad AB before heading out on a combat mission in support of OIF on July 22nd, 2007. [USAF photo by SrA. Olufemi A. Owolabi]

A pair of F-16s sit on the flightline as the sun sets at Balad AB. F-16s fly close-air-support missions exclusively for Operation Iraqi Freedom. [USAF photo]

Capt. Anthony Russo prepares F-16C block 42 #89-2151 from the 112th FS for a combat mission at Balad AB on June 10th, 2007. Visible in the HAS is another F-16C. [USAF photo by TSgt. Beth Holliker]

Airmen from the 332nd EAMXS conduct an engine run test on F-16C block 42 #89-2082 from the 112th FS at Balad AB on July 12th, 2007. [USAF photo by MSgt. Preston Chasteen]

Capt. Nick Zetocha from the 180th FW waits to taxi out for his first combat mission from Balad AB on May 30th, 2007. [USAF photo by TSgt. Beth Holliker]

MSgt. Terry Zeiter straps Capt. Nick Zetocha into an F-16C as they respond to an alert combat mission at Balad AB on June 6th, 2007. Zeiter and Zetocha are deployed from the 180th FW. [USAF photo by TSgt. Beth Holliker]

SA. Jacob Burgy from the 180th FW directs Capt. Karl Palmberg where to park after a combat mission out of Balad AB on June 6th, 2007. The F-16C belongs to the 112th FS. [USAF photo by TSgt. Beth Holliker]

SSgt. Christian Grisier, a crew chief from the 180th FW, runs through preflight tests on an F-16C from the 112th FS before a combat mission at Balad AB on June 8th, 2007. [USAF photo by TSgt. Beth Holliker]

Capt. Bret Kaufman taxies an F-16C in preparation for a combat mission at Balad AB on June 5th, 2007. The aircraft belongs to the 125th FS. [USAF photo by TSgt. Beth Holliker]

Maj. Keith Kelly from the 180th FW preflights his F-16C prior to a combat mission at Balad AB on June 7th, 2007. [USAF photo by TSgt. Beth Holliker]

TSgt. Jeff Bobak from the 180th FW loads 20mm bullets into an F-16C in preparation for a combat mission at Balad AB on June 12th, 2007. The aircraft belongs to the 125th FS. [USAF photo by TSgt. Beth Holliker]

MSgt. Mike Zubor from the 180th FW loads a GBU-38 JDAM onto an F-16C in preparation for a combat mission at Balad AB on June 12th, 2007. [USAF photo by TSgt. Beth Holliker]