Posted: 06/01/2010
An F-16 Fighting Falcon takes off for a night mission from Joint Base Balad, Iraq, May 24, 2010. The aircraft is assigned to the 169th Fighter Wing at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C. The 169th FW sent F-16s, pilots, maintenance specialists and support personnel overseas for its first major combat operation since 2003. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt Caycee Cook)