Finishing Strong: 81st maintainers rock final exercise

MONTE REAL, Portugal -- An A-10 Thunderbolt II from the 81st Fighter Squadron taxis back to its spot after a REAL THAW 13 mission in Monte Real, Portugal, Feb. 15, 2013. The 81st is participating in REAL THAW, a Portuguese military exercise that seeks to provide a realistic operating environment that accurately reflects current theaters of operation, provide adequate training to multinational participants while coordinating joint operations assets on land, air and sea, and improve interoperability between allied forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nathanael Callon/Released)

Finishing Strong: 81st maintainers rock final exercise

MONTE REAL, Portugal – A weapons Airman cleans the GAU-8 30mm Gatling gun of an A-10 Thunderbolt II after a REAL THAW 13 mission in Monte Real, Portugal, Feb. 15, 2013. This exercise seeks to provide a realistic operating environment that accurately reflects current theaters of operation, provide adequate training to multinational participants while coordinating joint operations assets on land, air and sea, and improve interoperability between allied forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nathanael Callon/Released)

Finishing Strong: 81st maintainers rock final exercise

MONTE REAL, Portugal – An Airman from the 81st Aircraft Maintenance Unit checks the inside of an A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft after a mission in Monte Real, Portugal, Feb. 13, 2013. REAL THAW seeks to provide a realistic operating environment that accurately reflects current theaters of operation, provide adequate training to multinational participants while coordinating joint operations assets on land, air and sea, and improve interoperability between allied forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nathanael Callon/Released)

REAL THAW 13 sets aim for interoperability

MONTE REAL, Portugal – Maintainers recovers A-10 Thunderbolt II jets from the 81st Fighter Squadron after a mission in Monte Real, Portugal, Feb. 14, 2013. The 81st is participating in REAL THAW, a Portuguese military exercise that seeks to provide a realistic operating environment that accurately reflects current theaters of operation, provide adequate training to multinational participants while coordinating joint operations assets on land, air and sea, and improve interoperability between allied forces.The training is for multinational, joint operations in support of future military operations within the framework of several international cooperating forces, such as NATO and EU. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nathanael Callon/Released)

REAL THAW 13 sets aim for interoperability

MONTE REAL, Portugal – Pilots from the 81st Fighter Squadron prepare for an upcoming mission in Monte Real, Portugal, Feb. 14, 2013. The 81st is participating in REAL THAW, a Portuguese military exercise. This exercise seeks to provide a realistic operating environment that accurately reflects current theaters of operation, provide adequate training to multinational participants while coordinating joint operations assets on land, air and sea, and improve interoperability between allied forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nathanael Callon/Released)

REAL THAW 13 sets aim for interoperability

MONTE REAL, Portugal – U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Steve Vaughn, 81st Aircraft Maintenance Unit jet engine mechanic from Chattanooga, Tenn., walks on the wing of an A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft during a pre-flight inspection in Monte Real, Portugal, Feb. 14, 2013. The 81st is participating in REAL THAW, a Portuguese military exercise that seeks to provide a realistic operating environment that accurately reflects current theaters of operation, provide adequate training to multinational participants while coordinating joint operations assets on land, air and sea, and improve interoperability between allied forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nathanael Callon/Released)