F-16 Hot Pit Refueling

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Aaron Simonson, 20th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, uses a toughbook to look over a technical order while performing hot pit refuels for F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots, Nov. 8, 2012, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. Hot pit refueling is a procedure usually performed in a combat situation to rapidly refuel aircraft while their engines are running, resulting in a speedy refuel to thrust pilots right back into the fight. Refueling specialists, crew chiefs and pilots assigned to the 20th Fighter Wing practice this procedure to keep their skills sharp and aid in the effort to provide combat-ready air power at a moment’s notice. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kenny Holston/Released)

F-16 Hot Pit Refueling

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Aaron Simonson (center) and Senior Airman Jason Trexler, crew chiefs assigned to the 20th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, communicate with 1st Lt. Josh Reddis, F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot, as he taxis in for a hot pit refuel, Nov. 8, 2012, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. Hot pit refueling is a procedure usually performed in a combat situation to rapidly refuel aircraft while their engines are running, resulting in a speedy refuel to thrust pilots back into the fight. Refueling specialists, crew chiefs and pilots assigned to the 20th Fighter Wing practice this procedure to keep their skills sharp and aid in the effort to provide combat-ready air power at a moment’s notice. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kenny Holston/Released)

Maintaining F-16 combat readiness

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon taxis onto the runway prior to takeoff for a routine sortie, Nov. 15, 2012, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. Shaw AFB is home to more than 80 F-16s, making the 20th Fighter Wing the largest combat composite fighter wing in the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kenny Holston/Released)

Maintaining F-16 combat readiness

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Austin Ludwig, 20th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, does his routine inspections on an F-16 Fighting Falcon before launching the aircraft, Nov. 15, 2012, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. 20th AMXS crew chiefs and maintainers work around the clock to ensure the readiness and accuracy of the F-16s for each of Shaw’s three fighter squadrons. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kenny Holston/Released)

Maintaining F-16 combat readiness

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon is prepped and ready for takeoff, Nov. 15, 2012, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. The 55th Fighter Squadron pilot of the F-16 performed a routine sortie with other 55th FS pilots. Shaw’s F-16 Fighting Falcon fleet is the number one asset that aids pilots in providing combat-ready airpower anytime, anywhere. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kenny Holston/Released)

F-111E Dedication

The F-111E Aardvark is displayed in the Shaw Air Force Base Air Park after a dedication ceremony for the men and women of the 20th Fighter Wing who flew and maintained the aircraft, Sept. 13, 2012, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. The F-111E is a significant part of the 20th Fighter Wing’s history as it was first flown as a part of the wings arsenal in 1970. Aircraft 68-0035 and 680045 landed at Royal Air Force Upper Heyford 42 years ago, starting a new era for the wing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kenny Holston/Released)