Maintenance inspection

WESTERN EUROPE (May 10, 2011) -- Tech. Sgt. Ben Smith, 171st Air Refueling Wing, Pittsburgh, puts on the pitot covers of a KC-135 Stratotanker from 91st Air Refueling Squadron, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. Currently assigned to the 313th Air Expeditionary Wing, he is a member of the maintenance group responsible for maintaining the wing's aircraft fleet. The wing supports Operation Unified Protector, a NATO-led mission in Libya to protect civilians and civilian-populated areas under threat of attack. The 313th AEW provides aerial refueling to U.S. and coalition aircraft with KC-135 Stratotankers and KC-10 Extenders. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Stacy Gault/Released)

Maintenance inspection

WESTERN EUROPE (May 10, 2011) -- Staff Sgt. Brian Thomsen, 171st Air Refueling Wing, Pittsburgh, props up the tail stand of a KC-135 Stratotanker following an aerial refueling over the Mediterranean Sea. Currently assigned to the 313th Air Expeditionary Wing, he is a member of the maintenance group responsible for maintaining the wing's aircraft fleet. The wing supports Operation Unified Protector, a NATO-led mission in Libya to protect civilians and civilian-populated areas under threat of attack. The 313th AEW provides aerial refueling to U.S. and coalition aircraft with KC-135 Stratotankers and KC-10 Extenders. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Stacy Gault/Released)

Maintenance inspection

WESTERN EUROPE (May 10, 2011) -- Senior Airman Dan Eichler, 171st Air Refueling Wing, Pittsburgh, removes the outboard spoiler access panel of a KC-135 Stratotanker. Currently assigned to the 313th Air Expeditionary Wing, he is a member of the maintenance group responsible for maintaining the wing's aircraft fleet. The wing supports Operation Unified Protector, a NATO-led mission in Libya to protect civilians and civilian-populated areas under threat of attack. The 313th AEW provides aerial refueling to U.S. and coalition aircraft with KC-135 Stratotankers and KC-10 Extenders. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Stacy Gault/Released)

Maintenance inspection

WESTERN EUROPE (May 10, 2011) -- Airmen from the 313th Air Expeditionary Wing perform work on the boom of a KC-135 Stratotanker. They are responsible for maintaining the wing's aircraft fleet to sustain flying missions supporting Operation Unified Protector, a NATO-led mission in Libya to protect civilians and civilian-populated areas under threat of attack. The 313th AEW provides aerial refueling to U.S. and coalition aircraft with KC-135 Stratotankers and KC-10 Extenders. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Stacy Gault/Released)

Operation Unified Protector

WESTERN EUROPE (May 4, 2011) -- Lt. Gen. Rusty Findley, Air Mobility Command vice commander, addresses Airmen of the 313th Air Expeditionary Wing during his visit May 4. The 313th AEW supports Operation Unified Protector, a NATO-led mission in Libya to protect civilian and civilian-populated areas under threat of attack. The 313th AEW provides aerial refueling to U.S. and coalition aircraft with KC-135 Stratotankers and KC-10 Extenders. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Stacy Gault/Released)

Operation Unified Protector

WESTERN EUROPE (April 22, 2011) -- Aircrew Airmen with the 313th Air Expeditionary Wing prepare to board the base shuttle bus. The shuttle transports Airmen to and from the dining facility while they are deployed here in support of Operation Unified Protector. Operation Unified Protector is a NATO-led mission in Libya to protect civilians and civilian-populated areas under threat of attack. The 313th AEW provides aerial refueling to U.S. and coalition aircraft with KC-135 Stratotankers and KC-10 Extenders. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Ethan Morgan)

Operation Unified Protector

WESTERN EUROPE (April 22, 2011) -- Staff Sgt. Dustin Rice, a Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle operator, prepares to depart to pick up and transport an aircrew out to a KC-135 Stratotanker in support of Operation Unified Protector. Sergeant Rice is deployed here with the 313th Air Expeditionary Wing from the 100th Air Refueling Wing, Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England. Operation Unified Protector is a NATO-led mission in Libya to protect civilians and civilian-populated areas under threat of attack. The 313th AEW provides aerial refueling to U.S. and coalition aircraft with KC-135 Stratotankers and KC-10 Extenders. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Ethan Morgan)

Operation Unified Protector

WESTERN EUROPE (April 16, 2011) --Lt. Gen. Robert Allardice, 18th Air Force commander, visits Airmen of the 313th Air Expeditionary Wing to observe the operation and listen to feedback from unit members. The 313th AEW now supports Operation Unified Protector, a NATO-led mission in Libya to protect civilians and civilian-populated areas under threat of attack. The 313th AEW provides aerial refueling to U.S. and coalition aircraft with KC-135 Stratotankers and KC-10 Extenders. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Stacy Gault/Released)

Operation Unified Protector

WESTERN EUROPE (April 15, 2011) -- Master Sgt. Leslie Frye, 126th Air Refueling Wing, Illinois Air National Guard, explains the maintenance status report of the 313th Air Expeditionary Wing to Lt. Gen. Robert Allardice, commander of 18th Air Force. The 313th AEW supports Operation Unified Protector, a NATO-led mission in Libya to protect civilian and civilian-populated areas under threat of attack. The 313th AEW provides aerial refueling to U.S. and coalition aircraft with KC-135 Stratotankers and KC-10 Extenders. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Stacy Gault/Released)

Operation Unified Protector

WESTERN EUROPE (April 18, 2011) -- Members of the 171st Air Refueling Wing, Pittsburgh, currently serving with the 313th Air Expeditionary Wing in Western Europe, record a video message showing their support of the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs.The video will play on the scoreboard during the April 23 game at CONSOL Energy Center. The 313th AEW provides aerial refueling to U.S. and coalition aircraft with KC-135 Stratotankers and KC-10 Extenders in support of Operation Unified Protector, a NATO-led mission in Libya to protect civilian and civilian-populated areas under threat of attack. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ethan Morgan/Unreleased)

Fuel mission

WESTERN EUROPE (April 13, 2011) -- Master Sgt. Steve Butler, in-flight refueling boom operator, and Capt. Viveca Lane, KC-135 Stratotanker pilot, both deployed here from the 108th Air Refueling Squadron, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., discuss a refueling mission in support of Operation Unified Protector. Operation Unified Protector is a NATO-led mission in Libya to protect civilians and civilian-populated areas under threat of attack. The 313th Air Expeditionary Wing provides aerial refueling to U.S. and coalition aircraft with KC-135 Stratotankers and KC-10 Extenders. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman David Dobrydney)

Shout out

WESTERN EUROPE (April 7, 2011) -- Col. Dave Cohen wraps up his video message to be played at the April 16 Tampa Bay Rays baseball game at Tropicana Field in Tampa Bay, Fla. Currently serving as the vice commander of the 313th Air Expeditionary Wing, Colonel Cohen is deployed from MacDill Air Force Base and is participating in MacDill's 70th birthday celebration while deployed in support of Operation Unified Protector. The 313th AEW supports Operation Unified Protector, a NATO-led mission in Libya to protect civilian and civilian-populated areas under threat of attack. The 313th AEW provides Aerial Refueling to U.S. and coalition aircraft with KC-135 Stratotankers and KC-10 Extenders. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Stacy Gault)