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)

Dreams of Flying

Senior Master Sgt. Eric Gassiott of the 815th Airlift Squadron gives Samuel Stevens of Hungary a tour of a Flying Jennies C-130J. Samuel, wearing a C-130J pin on his jacket, loved learning about aviation. "This is why we do air shows," said Maj. Chad Gibson, chief of public affairs for the 403rd Wing. "The dreams of kids are created here." In July, Sergeant Gassiott, Major Gibson and other reservists from Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., showcased the transport aircraft at the Farnborough Air Show in England, the largest air show in the world with more than a quarter of a million visitors. (U.S. Air Force photo/Maj. Chad Gibson)

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

Sicily Drop Zone at Fort Bragg, N.C. -- A jumpmaster checks a soldier's parachute during Operation Toy Drop. The exercise also 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 1050 paratroopers jumped during the exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Susan Parent)

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)

Total Force partners with Soldiers in Operation Toy Drop

Paratroopers free-fall to the ground as Capt. Adam Shockley, a navigator with the 43rd Airlift Wing, listens on 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)