A-10 Thunderbolt II

An A-10 Thunderbolt II banks left at the Heritage Flight Conference March 8. Pilots of vintage and current aircraft spend the weekend performing their routines in preparation for the upcoming air show season. (Photo: USAF)

A-10 Thunderbolt II

An A-10 Thunderbolt II, like this one, is among the various U.S. Central Command Air Forces air assets available for providing close-air support for International Security Assistance Force troops in contact with enemy forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. The A-10 is specially designed for close air support of ground forces and can be used against all ground targets, including tanks and other armored vehicles. (Photo: U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Justin T. Watson)

F/A-18 Hornet

An F/A-18 Hornet from No 3 Squadron departs the Royal Malaysian Air Force Base Butterworth on its way back to Australia at the end of Exercise Bersama Padu 2010. (Photo: Australia DoD)

F/A-18 Hornet

An F/A-18 Hornet from No 3 Squadron departs the Royal Malaysian Air Force Base Butterworth on its way back to Australia at the end of Exercise Bersama Padu 2010. (Photo: Australia DoD)

F/A-18 Hornet

An F/A-18 Hornet from No 3 Squadron powers off the runway at the Royal Malaysian Air Force Base Butterworth on its way back to Australia at the end of Exercise Bersama Padu 2010. (Photo: Australia DoD)

F/A-18 Hornet

An F/A-18 Hornet from No 3 Squadron powers off the runway at the Royal Malaysian Air Force Base Butterworth on its way back to Australia at the end of Exercise Bersama Padu 2010. (Photo: Australia DoD)