Spangdahlem launches final A-10 sortie in Europe

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany –U.S. Air Force Capt. Gregory Ulrich, 81st Fighter Squadron pilot from Fairfield, Calif., prepares to depart for the squadron’s final tactical sortie May 14, 2013. The inactivation is due to the termination of the Continuing Resolution provision and the enacting of the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Gustavo Castillo/Released)

Spangdahlem launches final A-10 sortie in Europe

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany – U.S. Air Force Capt. Gregory Ulrich, 81st Fighter Squadron pilot from Fairfield, Calif., gives a thumbs-up on the flightline before departing for a tactical sortie May 14, 2013. This was the final A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft tactical sortie in Europe at Spangdahlem AB. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Gustavo Castillo/Released)

Spangdahlem launches final A-10 sortie in Europe

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany – U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft return from a tactical sortie on the flightline May 14, 2013. The route of their training took them over the skies of Fulda, a village in central Germany known for its strategic location in the 1980s. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jonathan Pomeroy/Released)

Spangdahlem launches final A-10 sortie in Europe

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany – U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jeffrey Hogan, 81st Fighter Squadron director of operations from Olympia, Wash., receives an American flag from Senior Airman Christopher Nichols, 52nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron specialist May 14, 2013. This tactical sortie is scheduled to be the last before the squadron’s inactivation in June. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jonathan Pomeroy/Released)

Life in combat training

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany – U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Ryan Maxwell, 606th Air Control Squadron material management technician from Yorktown, Va., aims down the sights of an M16 rifle during a combat readiness training course April 20, 2013. Students were immersed in scenarios almost immediately and expected to perform at a high level of competency from the start. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Gustavo Castillo/Released)

Life in combat training

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany – U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Ryan Maxwell, 606th Air Control Squadron material management technician from Yorktown, Va., demonstrates the low-crawl technique at a combat readiness training course April 18, 2013. Those who graduate CRT become experts in deployment planning and implementation, weapons handling, preventive medicine, personal hygiene, site security, Law of Armed Conflict, use of force, enemy prisoners of war handling and counter improvised explosive device principles. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Gustavo Castillo/Released)