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This week's photo highlights feature 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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The Air Force handed over the Kirkuk sector of airspace, 15,000 feet and above, to the Iraq Civil Aviation Authority Sept. 1. The Kirkuk sector of airspace consists of the northern 1/3 portion of Iraq, which previously had been controlled by the Air Force out of Kirkuk Air Base.

"Tonight marks a very historic occasion," said Maj. Jamie Flanders, Air Component Coordination Element-Iraq airspace planner, minutes after the changeover took place. "The U.S. forces in Iraq have handed over the Kirkuk sector flight level one-five-zero and above to the government of Iraq.
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The last two operational F-15 Eagles left here Sept. 1 for Portland, Ore. The 71st Fighter Squadron is scheduled to be inactivated Sept. 30.

The 71st FS, also referred to as the Ironmen, generated more than 4,000 sorties and logged more than 5,400 flight hours annually.

"When the last wheels of the venerable (F-15) Eagle leave the tarmac, it takes with it 34 years of airpower and an overwhelming record of 104 enemy fighters destroyed to zero F-15s lost," said Col. Matthew Molloy, the 1st Fighter Wing commander . "Without a doubt, the F-15s of Langley Air Force Base have left little question as to which aircraft is the combat proven, preeminent air superiority fighter."
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The undersecretary of the Air Force made her second visit to an Air Force Global Strike Command wing when she received a firsthand view of the ICBM nuclear deterrence and global strike mission Aug. 26 at the 341st Missile Wing here.

Erin C. Conaton first visited AFGSC headquarters and the 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., in May, less than three months after being confirmed for her position. Following her visit here, she will travel to Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo.
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Airmen from the 75th Security Forces Squadron participate in a week-long combat skills training course Aug. 6, 2010, at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. The training focused on individual skills, self-aid and buddy care and encountering staged scenarios with hostile forces.

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President Barack Obama has nominated Gen. C. Robert Kehler for appointment as commander of the United States Strategic Command.

"I am honored and humbled by the president's nomination to take command of U.S. Strategic Command," General Kehler said. "I look forward to the U.S. Senate confirmation process."

Currently he is commander of Air Force Space Command and will be replacing Gen. Kevin P. Chilton, who will be retiring.

STRATCOM is one of ten U.S. unified commands under the Department of Defense. The command, including components, employs more than 3,300 people representing all four services including DOD civilians and contractors who oversee the command's operationally focused global strategic mission.
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Typhoon Kompasu may not have punched much of a storm surge here, but there was a tidal wave of activity on the Kadena Air Base Facebook page.

Kadena AB's official Facebook page swelled from around 400 "friends" before the storm to nearly 1,500 "friends" Aug. 31, demonstrating just how powerful the social networking site was to servicemembers and their families needing information on everything from storm conditions to facility and school closures to flight cancellations.
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For the past 55 years U-2 Dragon Lady crews have soared high above the earth collecting intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance information to aid in the fight against enemy forces. Throughout the years, even with the advances in technology, the mission remained the same.

Over time, several changes in the aircraft and protective equipment have evolved to help the U-2 and its pilots better perform their mission. Training to become a U-2 pilot has also evolved from "learn on the fly" to a detailed training course requiring approximately nine months to complete.
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Airmen today face a strong challenge. The intense battle rhythm through constant deployments and reintegration after returning from those deployments causes stress physically, emotionally and psychologically, on both Airmen and their families.

"Because of this, the Air Force has been showing the strains through divorce, substance abuse and suicide," said Col. Ted Uchida, the 20th Mission Support Group commander. "We cannot fail the Airmen, because failing them would mean burying them or visiting them in the hospital."
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Members of the 601st Air and Space Operations Center here held a ceremony Aug. 21 to commemorate the activation of the 101st Air and Space Operations Group.

The 101st AOG, which is a Florida Air National Guard unit, provides the manning for the 601st AOC to fulfill their mission of defending the homeland. The 101st AOG, formerly known as the Southeast Air Defense Sector, officially stood up July 1, 2009.

"The 601st AOC and the 101st AOG have a no-fail mission," said Col. Scott Barberides, 101st AOG commander. "Around the clock, 24-7, we never turn the lights off, and people are working right now defending our skies."
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