E-3 Sentry

An E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft takes off Aug. 25 from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., while participating in a Red Flag exercise. Red Flag offers pilots and ground crews training in actual wartime scenarios to increase their combat skills. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Master Sgt. Robert J. Sabonis)

E-3 Sentry

A combined Electronic Systems Center team from Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., recently tested the joint interoperability of a prototype interrogator for an E-3 Sentry AWACS, such as the one shown here. (U.S. Air Force photo)

C-9 Nightangle

A C-9 Nightangle from the 30th Airlift Squadron, takes off for the final time after a farewell ceremony here. The C-9, which has served as the premier medical evacuation aircraft for the Air Force for 35 years, was retired in July 2003. (U.S. Air Force photo Master Sgt. Val Gempis)

C-9 Nightangle

A C-9 Nightangle from the 30th Airlift Squadron, takes off for the final time after a farewell ceremony here. The C-9, which has served as the premier medical evacuation aircraft for the Air Force for 35 years, was retired in July 2003. (U.S. Air Force photo Master Sgt. Val Gempis)

C-9 Nightingale

First Lt. Allen Specht boards his C-9 Nightingale for the final time Sept. 14. Specht is assigned to the 30th Airlift Squadron here. The Nightingale, which served as the premier medical-evacuation aircraft for the Air Force for 35 years, was retired in July and taken to the "boneyard" at Davis- Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. In 2002, the 30th AS accumulated more than 3,200 flying hours during 1,280 sorties, while airlifting more than 10,300 patients and passengers in the Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Val Gempis)

C-9 Nightingale

The C-9 is a twin-engine, T-tailed, medium-range, swept-wing jet aircraft used primarily for Air Mobility Command's aeromedical evacuation mission. The Nightingale is a modified version of the McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Corporation's DC-9. It is the only aircraft in the inventory specifically designed for the movement of litter and ambulatory patients. The C-9A's airlift capability to carry 40 litter patients, 40 ambulatory and four litter patients, or various combinations thereof, provides the flexibility for Air Mobility Command's worldwide aeromedical evacuation role. A hydraulically operated folding ramp allows efficient loading and unloading of litter patients and special medical equipment. (U.S. Air Force Photo)