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This week's photo highlights cover Airmen around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.

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On May 31, 1967, while piloting a KC-135 Stratotanker over the Gulf of Tonkin, Maj. John H. Casteel and crew from the 902nd Air Refueling Squadron carried out a series of emergency refuelings that saved six fuel-starved Navy fighters. It was the first multiple air refueling between a KC-135 and a Navy A-3 Skywarrior tanker which simultaneously refueled a Navy F-8 Crusader under emergency fuel shortages and combat conditions.   The action earned Major Casteel and his crew the Mackay Trophy for meritorious flight achievement. They were the first Strategic Air Command tanker crew to win.   
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The Combat Information Transport System is a high-priority item for Air Force officials who seek to create, manage and defend a truly enterprise-wide internet.

During a recent Electronic Systems Center program prioritization effort, CITS was listed as number two out of more than 300 total programs. Since it is a high priority, CITS will receive a bevy of additional resources, including organic and contracted-support personnel. 

CITS is composed of three systems: transport, network defense and network management. Transport is everything that relates to the physical pathways that information passes through, network defense is the security and network management is the control. All of these assets combine to provide connectivity throughout the Air Force to link command and control and combat support systems to the Defense Information System Network using Non-Secure Internet Protocol Router Network, or NIPRNET, and Secure Internet Protocol Router Network, or SIPRNET connectivity.
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Surrounded by family and friends, colleagues and fellow Airmen, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Paul Airey was laid to rest here May 28.

More than 400 people came to Ft. Myer, Va., for his funeral service and then on to Arlington for his grave site ceremony. Located in section 34, Chief Airey's marker is close to fellow Airmen, and towering nearby are the spires of the Air Force Memorial.

The Air Force's top enlisted leader, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Rodney McKinley, offered a eulogy on behalf of all Airmen, saying, "Paul Wesley Airey is an icon in the lives of Airmen -- he was a constant friend, true patriot, faithful public servant, dutiful husband and a loving father.
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Airmen from the 887th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron here work with their Army compatriots in the base motor pool to keep the squadron's tactical vehicles running like clockwork.

Four members of the Air Force security forces unit are part of a joint motor pool and learning more than they ever thought they would about the latest tactical vehicles.

Each unit is tasked out to have a certain number of mechanics, said Army Master Sgt. Dean Robinson, the 42nd Military Police Brigade motor pool NCO in charge. The units then pool their resources and personnel to form a more efficient and productive shop.
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Fighting a war can be stressful, no matter what job you do in the military. Staff members at combat stress control centers throughout Iraq work to fight stress -- or at least to teach people how to manage it. 

Lt. Col. (Dr.) Alicia L. Tschirhart, a psychiatrist, commands the Kalsu Combat Stress Control Center. The center is one of three throughout Iraq, each of which serves a number of provinces.

"We are able to see any servicemember that is stationed at Forward Operating Base Kalsu and anyone who needs assistance is sent here to this location," Doctor Tschirhart said. "I have two enlisted personnel here as well that do individual counseling, screen patients and do outreach to the community."
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Airman 1st Class Alberto Lopez knew the guy was hiding something.

He could feel it. The detainee was giving off "the vibe" that three months of working the visitation center at the theater internment facility here had taught him to detect. The Altus, Okla., native continued to search in the efficient, humane and dignified way he was taught, waiting for the "tell" that would give away what the man was hiding and where.

The detainee glanced down at just the wrong moment, and Airman Lopez had him. The find: a rolled up piece of paper with contact information. Contacts for whom, Airman Lopez didn't know, but they weren't getting outside the gate that day.
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Airmen from the 532nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron jumped in and out of helicopters from the Army C Company, 1-137th Aviation Regiment during air-assault training here May 23.

"The purpose of air-assault training is to add another option of infiltrating a targeted area," said Master Sgt. Jose Zuniga, 532nd ESFS quick reaction force NCO in charge. 

"In QRF operations, whether proactive or reactive, the elements of speed and surprise can be critical to a successful mission as terrain can be a limiting factor," he said. 
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Equipping warfighters with the technology to detect moving targets in combat gained momentum when Electronic Systems Center officials here, in concert with prime contractors and other organizations, recently completed a key flight milestone for the Multiplatform Radar Technology Insertion Program.

"At this point, we're delivering on the promise of advanced radar capability for the Global Hawk with completion of GMTI and SAR modes," said Col. Jim Shaw, commander of the 851st Electronic Systems Group, which is leading the effort. 
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Senior Airman Lilia Linares uses a fluorescent magnetic particle process to inspect an aerospace ground equipment hook for cracks May 27 at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. The nondestructive inspection section inspects more than 40,000 pieces of weapon systems and nonweapon systems assets a year. Airman Linares is a nondestructive inspection journeyman with the 437th Maintenance Squadron.


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