Maj. Mike Shenk from the 332nd Air Expeditionary Squadron takes a drink of water before taking off in A-10 fighter on a mission to Iraq, March 26. High winds and sand storms slowed the tempo of flights from an undisclosed air base near Iraq. As the winds died down and visibility began to improve, air crews, who were able to rest during the storm, returned to their maintenance and arming of A-10 fighters. (Alan Lessig/Air Force Times)