9/30/2010 - SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany – A child waves an American flag as an A-10 Thunderbolt II taxis on ramps one and two Sept. 27. The A-10 was one of five to return to Spangdahlem after a five-month deployment to Kandahar, Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Benjamin Wilson)

9/30/2010 - SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany – A-10 Thunderbolt IIs from the 81st fighter squadron taxi onto ramps one and two Sept. 27 as they return to Spangdahlem Air Base after a five-month deployment to Kandahar, Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Benjamin Wilson)

9/30/2010 - SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany – The family and friends of five returning A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots from the 81st Fighter Squadron hold signs and wave flags on the flightline Sept. 27. The A-10s returned to Spangdahlem Air Base after a five-month deployment to Kandahar, Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Benjamin Wilson)

9/30/2010 - SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany – Lt. Col. Douglas Sirk, 81st Fighter Squadron assistant director of operations, hugs his wife and kids Sept. 27 after returning from a five-month deployment to Kandahar, Afghanistan. Colonel Sirk was one of five A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots to return on that day. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Benjamin Wilson)