JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska

An Air Force C-130 aircraft taxies onto the runway in preparation for takeoff during exercise Polar Force 13-3 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richards, Alaska, April 7. The readiness exercise is designed to validate the wing's ability to integrate, mobilize, and prepare assigned personnel, aircraft and equipment for their wartime mission and to employ forces and weapons systems to perform the tasked missions. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Blake Mize)

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska

An Air Force C-130 takes off during exercise Polar Force 13-3 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richards, Alaska, April 7. The readiness exercise is designed to validate the wing's ability to integrate, mobilize, and prepare assigned personnel, aircraft and equipment for their wartime mission and to employ forces and weapons systems to perform the tasked missions. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Blake Mize)

C-130 aircrews support remote radar sites

A forklift off-loads supply pallets from a C-130 Hercules at Cape Romanzof, Alaska, Dec. 4. Cape Romanzof is a radar site which is part of the North Warning System, a 2,983-mile long and 199-mile wide "tripwire" stretching from Alaska, through Canada, to Southern Labrador. The radar sites cannot operate without these resupply missions, as many of the sites have no roads in or out. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech Sgt. Brian Ferguson)

C-130 aircrews support remote radar sites

Master Sgt. Jason Allen, right, and Airman 1st Class Andrew Thompson fill out paperwork after delivering three supply pallets to Cape Romanzof, Alaska, Dec. 4. Cape Romanzof is a radar site which is part of the North Warning System, a 2,983-mile long and 199-mile wide "tripwire" stretching from Alaska, through Canada, to Southern Labrador. The radar sites cannot operate without these resupply missions, as many of the sites have no roads in or out. Allen and Thompson are C-130 Hercules loadmasters assigned to the 537th Airlift Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech Sgt. Brian Ferguson)

C-130 aircrews support remote radar sites

Airman 1st Class Andrew Thompson waits for pallets at the ramp of a C-130 Hercules aircraft at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Dec. 4. Thompson is a loadmaster assigned to the 537th Airlift Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech Sgt. Brian Ferguson)

C-130 aircrews support remote radar sites

Airman 1st Class Andrew Thompson checks the pallet locks while preflighting a C-130 Hercules aircraft at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Dec. 4. Thompson is a loadmaster assigned to the 537th Airlift Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech Sgt. Brian Ferguson)

Flying in Under the Radar

Airman 1st Class Emmanuel Marioni, 3rd Maintenance Squadron, inspects the skin of a 3rd Wing F-22 Raptor Sept. 28. Marioni is a low observable technician. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Joan King)

JBER hosts it's annual load competition

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Air Force Staff Sgt. Adam Ducharme, 477th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron load crew member, operates an MJ-1 lift truck to transport a practice missile onto an F-22 Raptor aircraft during the annual load competition Oct. 17. The load competition is an event held to demonstrate the skill level and knowledge of all Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson aircraft maintainers including active-duty and Reserve Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman Ty-Rico Lea)

JBER hosts it's annual load competition

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- 525th and 477th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron members prepare for the annual load competition where two teams test their skills as load crew members for the F-22 Raptor aircraft. The load competition is an annual event held to demonstrate the skill level and knowledge of all Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson aircraft maintenance including active duty and reserve airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman Ty-Rico Lea

Guard, active-duty aircrew provide airlift to reserves

Master Sgt. Lloyd Llaneza, a loadmaster for the 249th Airlift Squadron, guides a container onto a C-17 Globemaster III for a flight to Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Aug. 3, 2012. The combined Alaska ANG and JBER active-duty aircrew provided a team of JBER reservists airlift to Hill so they could participate in the upcoming Combat Hammer exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Brian Ferguson)

Guard, active-duty aircrew provide airlift to reserves

Alaska Air National Guard members from the 249th Airlift Squadron and active duty members from the 517th AS take part in a flight brief at the 517th AS, Aug. 3, 2012, prior to a flight to Hill Air Force Base, Utah. The combined Alaska ANG and JBER active-duty aircrew provided a team of JBER reservists airlift to Hill so they could participate in the upcoming Combat Hammer exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Brian Ferguson)

Guard, active-duty aircrew provide airlift to reserves

Alaska Air National Guard members from the 249th Airlift Squadron and active duty members from the 517th AS take part in a flight brief at the 517th AS, Aug. 3, 2012, prior to a flight to Hill Air Force Base, Utah. The combined Alaska ANG and JBER active-duty aircrew provided a team of JBER reservists airlift to Hill so they could participate in the upcoming Combat Hammer exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Brian Ferguson)

Prepping to launch eyes in the sky

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System aircrew members assigned to the 962nd Airborne Air Control Squadron perform pre-flight checks prior to takeoff July 2. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Robert Barnett)

Prepping to launch eyes in the sky

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Capt. Barbara Gorman performs an operation check of the emergency oxygen mask on an E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System assigned to the 962nd Airborne Air Control Squadron July 2. Gorman is with the 962nd AACS. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Robert Barnett)

Prepping to launch eyes in the sky

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Senior Airmen Brandon Ansbro and Michael Dawson, both crew chiefs with the 703rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, check airlock fasteners on wing panels on an E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System assigned to the 962nd Airborne Air Control Squadron, July 2. Ansbro is from Missoula, Mont., and Dawson is from Mansfield, Pa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Robert Barnett)

Prepping to launch eyes in the sky

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Senior Airman Michael Dawson checks the emergency extension release pin on the nose gear of an E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System assigned to the 962nd Airborne Air Control Squadron, July 2. This check pin allows the aircrew to extend the landing gear if power is lost. Dawson is a crew chief with the 703rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron from Mansfield, Pa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Cynthia Spalding)

Prepping to launch eyes in the sky

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --After pulling chalks, Staff Sgt. Jason Young, a crew chief with the 703rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, does a final check on the external doors and hatches on an E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System assigned to the 962nd Airborne Air Control Squadron just before it taxis for departure July 2. Crew chiefs are also responsible for the overall maintenance of the airframe. Young is from Mobile, Ala. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Cynthia Spalding)

Prepping to launch eyes in the sky

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Senior Airman Michael Dawson removes an engine cover prior to performing an inlet and exhaust inspection on an E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System assigned to the 962nd Airborne Air Control Squadron, July 2. Dawson is a crew chief with the 703rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron from Mansfield, Pa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Cynthia Spalding)

Prepping to launch eyes in the sky

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Senior Airmen Brandon Ansbro and Michael Dawson, both crew chiefs with the 703rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, perform an over wing inspection on an E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System assigned to the 962nd Airborne Air Control Squadron, July 2. Ansbro is from Missoula, Mont., and Dawson is from Mansfield, Pa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Cynthia Spalding)

Prepping to launch eyes in the sky

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Senior Airman Brandon Ansbro puts in the door lock for the right gear on an E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System assigned to the 962nd Airborne Air Control Squadron, July 2. Locking the door in place safes the aircraft for pre-flight inspection checks. Ansbro is a crew chief with the 703rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and is from Missoula, Mont. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Cynthia Spalding)

Bulldogs accept delivery of last Raptor

Airman 1st Class Jeffery Brown performs post flight checks after an F-22 Raptor fighter landed on the flightline May 5. The 525th Fighter Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, received the last F-22 Raptor being made from Lockheed Martin and has named it its squadron's flagship. Brown is the jet's assistant dedicated crew chief with the 525th Aircraft Maintenance Unit from Booneville, Miss. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Cynthia Spalding)

Bulldogs accept delivery of last Raptor

Airman 1st Class Jeffery Brown performs post flight checks after an F-22 Raptor fighter landed on the flightline May 5. The 525th Fighter Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, received the last F-22 Raptor being made from Lockheed Martin and has named it its squadron's flagship. Brown is the jet's assistant dedicated crew chief with the 525th Aircraft Maintenance Unit from Booneville, Miss. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Cynthia Spalding)

Bulldogs accept delivery of last Raptor

Air Force Lt. Col. Paul Moga, 525th Fighter Squadron Commander, talks with Senior Airman Joshua King after landing on the flightline May 5. The 525th Fighter Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, received the last F-22 Raptor being made from Lockheed Martin and has named it its squadron's flagship. King is the aircraft's assistant dedicated crew chief with the 525th Aircraft Maintenance Unit from Collinsville, Okla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Cynthia Spalding)

Bulldogs accept delivery of last Raptor

Air Force Lt. Col. Paul Moga, 525th Fighter Squadron Commander, talks with Senior Airman Joshua King after landing on the flightline May 5. The 525th Fighter Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, received the last F-22 Raptor being made from Lockheed Martin and has named it the squadron's flagship. King is the aircraft's assistant dedicated crew chief with the 525th Aircraft Maintenance Unit from Collinsville, Okla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Cynthia Spalding)