Making the flightline a 'no-fly' zone

Master Sgt. Andrew Van Houten, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing NCO in charge of flight safety, takes aim at a bird on the flightline on Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, April 18, 2013. Birds and the rodents they feed on pose a hazard to flying operations. The 455th AEW Safety Office mitigates this hazard through habitat management, harassment and sometimes lethal force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. David Dobrydney)

Making the flightline a 'no-fly' zone

A long-tailed shrike sits on a fence near the flightline on Bagram Airfield Afghanistan, April 18, 2013.Birds such as this one pose a hazard to flying operations, necessitating habitat management and sometimes lethal force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. David Dobrydney)

When all else fails, egress prevails

Senior Airman Garron Theriault, 455th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron egress technician, uses a mirror to examine the interior of an A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft seat for cracks during an inspection on Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, May 17, 2013. Aircrew egress system technicians ensure the safety of 74th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron pilots by inspecting and performing preventative maintenance on the egress systems and components of the A-10. A-10s from Bagram fly daily to provide close air support to forces operating in Afghanistan. Theriault is from Harrison, Maine. ( U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt/ Stephenie Wade)

When all else fails, egress prevails

Senior Airman Garron Theriault, 455th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron egress technician, uses a mirror to examine an A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft seat for cracks during an inspection on Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, May 17, 2013. Aircrew egress system technicians ensure the safety of 74th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron pilots by inspecting and performing preventative maintenance on the egress systems and components of the A-10. A-10s from Bagram fly daily to provide close air support to forces operating in Afghanistan. Theriault is from Harrison, Maine. ( U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt/ Stephenie Wade)

When all else fails, egress prevails

(Left to Right) Airman 1st Class Mark Armstrong, Staff Sgt. Keith Billings and Senior Airman Garron Theriault, 455th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron egress technicians, remove an Advanced Concept Ejection System from an A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft on Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, May 17, 2013. Egress technicians are responsible for all the components involved with the pilot’s ejection system. The A-10 is a specialized ground-attack aircraft which provides close air support to ground forces operating in Afghanistan. Armstrong, Billings and Theriault are all deployed from Moody Air Force Base, Ga. ( U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt/ Stephenie Wade)

When all else fails, egress prevails

Staff Sgt. Keith Billings, 455th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron egress technician, uses a crane and a sling to remove an Advanced Concept Ejection System, otherwise known as the pilot ejection seat, from an A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft on Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, May 17, 2013. The Airmen are completing a phase inspection, which requires a full inspection of the removed seat, cockpit components and repair any discrepancies. Billings is deployed from Moody Air Force Base, Ga. Billings is from Prattville, Ala.