Airmen 1st Class Austin Smith, 2nd Maintenance Squadron, and Johnny King, 20th Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief, power up an aircart on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 24. The aircart is used to start one engine which in turn starts the rest of the engines on the aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Benjamin Gonsier)
Airmen 1st Class Johnny King, 20th Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief, and Austin Smith, 2nd Maintenance Squadron, put an aircart hose away prior to a B-52H Stratofortress launch on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 24. After equipment has served its purpose, it is moved so it does not interfere with the launch of the aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Benjamin Gonsier)
Airmen 1st Class Johnny King, 20th Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief, and Austin Smith, 2nd Maintenance Squadron, connect an aircart hose to a B-52H Stratofortress engine on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 24. The aircart is used to start one engine which in turn starts the rest of the engines on the aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Benjamin Gonsier)
Airman 1st Class Austin Smith, 2nd Maintenance Squadron, communicates with the aircrew as they prepare for launch on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 24. The crew chiefs and aircrew communicate during launch procedures to guarantee a safe takeoff. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Benjamin Gonsier)
Airman 1st Class Johnny King, 20th Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief, wraps up a grounding cable prior to a B-52H Stratofortress launch on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 24. The grounding cable is connected to the aircraft to transfer static electricity from the aircraft to the ground while idling. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Benjamin Gonsier)
Airman 1st Class Johnny King, 20th Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief, moves a dry chemical extinguisher away from a B-52H Stratofortress before launch on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 24. A dry chemical extinguisher is always positioned in front of an aircraft in the event of an aircraft fire while still on the ground. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Benjamin Gonsier)
Maintenance Airmen prepare to marshal a B-52H Stratofortress during a launch on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 24. Marshalling is one-on-one visual communication and a part of aircraft ground handling. It is an alternative to radio communications between the aircraft and crew chief to signal when to taxi. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Benjamin Gonsier)
Airman 1st Class Johnny King, 20th Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief, marshals a B-52H Stratofortress during a launch on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 24. Marshalling is one-on-one visual communication and a part of aircraft ground handling. It is an alternative to radio communications between the aircraft and crew chief to signal when to taxi. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Benjamin Gonsier)
A B-52H Stratofortress taxis out to the runway on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 24. B-52s lead the way when it comes to global engagement. The long range and versatility of the B-52 make it the weapon of choice for providing deterrence, demonstrating U.S. resolve and combat operations around the world. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Benjamin Gonsier)
An A-10 Thunderbolt II from the 307th Bomb Wing taxis out to the runway on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 24. The A-10 has participated in recent military operations including Allied Force, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. The A-10 is designed for close air support and is capable of delivering large and varied ordinance accurately on targets. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Benjamin Gonsier)