920th folds its wings for Afghanistan mobilization

CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla., -- Air Force Reservists from the 920th Rescue Wing at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., prepare two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters by folding various moving parts for transport onto a C-5 Galaxy aircraft. The C-5 airlifted the helos to the southern Arizona desert where helicopter aircrews and maintenance personnel trained July 12-25 for the toughest flying conditions in the world - Afghanistan. Not only is the country notorious for craggy terrain, but its known for impromptu dust storms, no cultural lighting and some of the highest mountains and steepest valleys. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Allen)

Farnborough Air Show 'something to tell grandkids'

FARNBOROUGH, England -- Nitan Vadher and Seema Chudasama stand below the heart created by the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, just after they were engaged to be married. Mr. Vadher proposed to Ms. Chudasama on the flight deck of a C-130J aircraft July 20, 2008, during the Farnborough Air Show in England. (U.S. Air Force photo/Maj. Chad E. Gibson)

Farnsborough Air Show 'something to tell grandkids'

FARNBOROUGH, England -- Nitan Vadher gives a rose to Seema Chudasama on the flight deck of a C-130J during the Farnborough Air Show 2008 in England. The 403rd Wing's 815th Airlift Squadron showcased the unique capabilities of the plane at the largest air show in the world July 13-20, 2008. (U.S. Air Force photo/Maj. Chad E. Gibson)

Farnborough Air Show 'something to tell grandkids'

FARNBOROUGH, England -- Crowds line up to tour the world's most technologically advanced C-130J from the Air Force Reserve Command's 403rd Wing, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. More than a quarter of a million people visited the Farnborough Air Show in England July 13-20, 2008. (U.S. Air Force photo/Maj. Chad E. Gibson)

Reserve C-130s called in to fight California wildfires

Two Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System configured C-130s from the Air Force Reserve's 302nd Airlift Wing, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., are being dispatched to California to help fight wildfires there. In 2007 the 302nd AW flew 76 sorties against fires in Southern California discharging more than 200,000 gallons of retardant protecting more than 2,000 homes, saving thousands of lives and preventing an estimated $1.1 billion in property loss. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Capt. Jody L. Ritchie)

Total Force partners with Soldiers in Operation Toy Drop

Sicily Drop Zone at Fort Bragg, N.C. -- Sergeants Tom Fahrenholz and Christian Rhode, both German jumpmasters pause for a moment as U.S. paratroopers board an Air Force Reserve C-130 during Operation Toy Drop. The exercise included jumpmasters from Canada, Chile and Ireland, and active duty and Reserve paratroopers and Airmen from the U.S. The 440th Airlift Wing, Air Force Reserve, supported the combined joint exercise with C-130 airlift. More than 1,050 paratroopers jumped during the exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Susan Parent)

Total Force partners with Soldiers in Operation Toy Drop

Fifty paratroopers walk to a C-130 with engines running during Operation Toy Drop. The 440th Airlift Wing, Air Force Reserve, supported the combined joint exercise with C-130 airlift. More than 1,050 paratroopers jumped during the exercise held at the Sicily Drop Zone at Fort Bragg, N.C. (U.S. Air Force photo/Lt. Col. Ann Peru Knabe)

Total Force partners with Soldiers in Operation Toy Drop

Capt. Adam Shockley, a navigator with the 43rd Airlift Wing, calls from the ground during Operation Toy Drop. The 440th Airlift Wing, Air Force Reserve, supported the combined joint exercise with C-130 airlift. More than 1,050 paratroopers jumped during the exercise held at the Sicily Drop Zone at Fort Bragg, N.C. (U.S. Air Force photo/Lt. Col. Ann Peru Knabe)

Smoke from Poomacha Fire

Heavy smoke hangs in the air as the Poomacha Fire in northern San Diego County, Calif., continues to burn on Oct. 26, 2007. Crews on six specially equipped Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft are supporting firefighting efforts by strategically releasing fire retardant in the area. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Roy A. Santana)

MAFFS fight wildfires

Maj. Robert Fairbanks and members of his C-130 crew deploy 3,000 gallons of fire retardant over the Poomacha Fire in North San Diego County, Calif. The reservists are assigned to the 302nd Airlift Wing, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., and launched their firefighting mission from Channel Islands Air National Guard Station, Calif., Oct. 24, 2007. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Roy A. Santana)

C-130 transformation

Staff Sgt. Alan Hunter works to secure the landing gear doors on a 440th Airlift Wing C-130H Hercules on the Blue Ramp at Pope Air Force Base, N.C., after receiving a high-wind warning. Sergeant Hunter is a former member of the 43rd Airlift Wing, the Regular Air Force?s host unit at Pope AFB. He is the second active-duty Airman to join the 440th Maintenance Group. He was stationed at Pope AFB for six years before joining the Air Force Reserve. (U.S. Air Force photo)

C-130 Transformation

A 440th Airlift Wing C-130 takes off from a dirt runway at the Holland Drop Zone on Fort Bragg, N.C. The airplane and crew took part in the wing's first tactical mission after their unit moved from Gen. Mitchell International Airport Air Reserve Station in Milwaukee to Pope Air Force Base, N.C. The mission was a two-ship, engines running, on and off-load exercise, with Pope's Regular Air Force 43rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo)