Today's Photos, Friday - December 28, 2012

[hogdriver]

HiRes

A 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker prepares to refuel a B-1B Lancer over Afghanistan, Dec. 22. The B-1B, deployed from Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., flew 26 U.S. flags over Afghanistan for the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut, while conducting missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Capt. Matthew Mills, 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron pilot, keeps a stuffed animal on board for his niece to show her everywhere he has traveled. Mills is deployed from Pease Air National Guard Base, N.H. and is a native of Clemson, S.C. (US Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Ashley Reed)

HiRes

A B-1B Lancer, deployed from Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D. prepares to be refueled over Afghanistan, Dec. 22. The B-1B flew 26 U.S. flags over Afghanistan for the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut, while conducting missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (US Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Ashley Reed)

HiRes

A B-1B Lancer, deployed from Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., prepares to be refueled over Afghanistan, Dec. 22. The B-1B flew 26 U.S. flags over Afghanistan for the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut, while conducting missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (US Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Ashley Reed)

HiRes

A 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker prepares to refuel a B-1B Lancer over Afghanistan, Dec. 22. The B-1B, deployed from Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., flew 26 U.S. flags over Afghanistan for the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut while conducting missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Capt. Matthew Mills, 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron pilot, keeps a stuffed animal on board for his niece to show her everywhere he has traveled. Mills is deployed from Pease Air National Guard Base, N.H. and is a native of Clemson, S.C. (US Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Ashley Reed)

HiRes

A 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker refuels a B-1B Lancer over Afghanistan, Dec. 22. The B-1B, deployed from Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., flew 26 U.S. flags over Afghanistan for the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut, while conducting missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (US Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Ashley Reed)

HiRes

A 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker refuels a B-1B Lancer over Afghanistan, Dec. 22. The B-1B, deployed from Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., flew 26 U.S. flags over Afghanistan, for the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut, while conducting missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (US Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Ashley Reed)

HiRes

A 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker prepares to refuel a B-1B Lancer over Afghanistan, Dec. 22. The B-1B, deployed from Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., flew 26 U.S. flags over Afghanistan, for the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut, while conducting missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (US Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Ashley Reed)

HiRes

A B-1B Lancer, deployed from Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., rolls out after being refueled by a 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker over Afghanistan, Dec. 22. The B-1B flew 26 U.S. flags over Afghanistan for the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut, while conducting missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (US Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Ashley Reed)

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A 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker refuels an F-16 Fighting Falcon over Afghanistan, Dec. 22. The F-16 Fighting Falcon, deployed from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., received fuel in order to conduct missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (US Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Ashley Reed)

HiRes

A 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker refuels an F-16 Fighting Falcon over Afghanistan, Dec. 22. Capt. Matthew Mills, 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron pilot, keeps a stuffed animal on board for his niece to show her everywhere he has traveled. Mills is deployed from Pease Air National Guard Base, N.H. and is a native of Clemson, S.C. The F-16 Fighting Falcon, deployed from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., received fuel in order to conduct missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (US Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Ashley Reed)

HiRes

A B-1B Lancer, deployed from Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., prepares to be refueled over Afghanistan, Dec. 22. The B-1B flew 26 U.S. flags over Afghanistan for the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut, while conducting missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (US Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Ashley Reed)

HiRes

A B-1B Lancer, deployed from Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., prepares to be refueled over Afghanistan, Dec. 22. The B-1B flew 26 U.S. flags over Afghanistan for the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut, while conducting missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (US Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Ashley Reed)

HiRes

A B-1B Lancer, deployed from Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., prepares to be refueled over Afghanistan, Dec. 22. The B-1B flew 26 U.S. flags over Afghanistan for the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut, while conducting missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (US Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Ashley Reed)

HiRes

A B-1B Lancer, deployed from Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., prepares to be refueled over Afghanistan, Dec. 22. The B-1B flew 26 U.S. flags over Afghanistan for the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut, while conducting missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (US Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Ashley Reed)

HiRes

An F-16 Fighting Falcon, deployed from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., prepares to receive fuel from a 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker over Afghanistan, Dec. 22. The F-16 Fighting Falcon received fuel in order to conduct missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (US Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Ashley Reed)

HiRes

An F-16 Fighting Falcon, deployed from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., prepares to receive fuel from a 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker over Afghanistan, Dec. 22. The F-16 Fighting Falcon received fuel in order to conduct missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (US Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Ashley Reed)

[hogdriver]

HiRes

Aviation Machinist's Mate Airman Kenia Palacio, from El Paso, Texas, assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 132's Line Division, signals to the aircrew of an EA-18G "Growler" as it taxis off the flight line at Naval Air Facility Misawa. VAQ-132 is currently on a six-month deployment at NAF Misawa in support of U.S. 7th Fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Kenneth G. Takada/Released)

HiRes

Aviation Machinist's Mate Airman Kenia Palacio, from El Paso, Texas, assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 132's Line Division, signals to the aircrew of an EA-18G "Growler" as it taxis off the flight line at Naval Air Facility Misawa. VAQ-132 is currently on a six-month deployment at NAF Misawa in support of U.S. 7th Fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Kenneth G. Takada/Released)

[MonkMan]

Question?

I've seen lots and lots of photo's of fighter aircraft over Afghanistan with Air to Air weapons. Why would these aircraft need such weapons? maybe due to threats from other nations such as Pakistan or Iran? Just in case maybe?

Just curious about why and wonder if anyone could enlighten me. Thanks.

[DID]

Question?

I've seen lots and lots of photo's of fighter aircraft over Afghanistan with Air to Air weapons. Why would these aircraft need such weapons? maybe due to threats from other nations such as Pakistan or Iran? Just in case maybe?

Just curious about why and wonder if anyone could enlighten me. Thanks.

"Just in case" dont work in the army, and the fact that they are fighter aircraft answer your question... Or just figure yourself going to work wearing only a pyjama, the same ridiculous.

[Lerch]

Just curious about why and wonder if anyone could enlighten me. Thanks.

They'd rather have something and not need it, rather than need it and not have it.

[Kceffect05]

A Cowboy never forgets his six shooter when he walks the fence everyday, like Lerch said. Even when jets dog fight they never run the cannon out of ammo and it would be wise to save a AIM-9 Or AmRam for the trip home just in case they get jumped on the way home or are bingo fuel.