U.S. Air Force Col. Sergio Anaya, 62nd Operations Group commander, sent 36 teams of 62nd Airlift Wing Airmen to aid in Operation Allies Freedom in August 2021. Anaya, a command pilot proficient in operating four different aircraft and with more than 3,800 flight hours and 930 combat hours, said what put him at ease during such a high-intensity situation was the trust he had in his Airmen’s ability to accomplish the mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Zoe Thacker)

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Kyle Stewart, 8th Airlift Squadron commander, leads approximately 140 Airmen in executing the nation’s worldwide power projection capability. In August, he got the opportunity to be one of the first aircraft commanders to leave Joint Base Lewis-McChord and fly airlift missions to and from Kabul, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Allies Refuge. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Zoe Thacker)

U.S. Air Force Capt. Steven Pizzi, C-17 instructor pilot with the 7th Airlift Squadron, was an aircraft commander during Operation Allies Refuge in August 2021. Pizzi and his crew contributed to the more than 124,000 people and more than five million pounds of cargo airlift from Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Zoe Thacker)

The Eagle Port Rodeo team with the 62nd Aerial Port Squadron receive their awards for winning two events and the title of Top Port Dawg Team at the 2021 Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) Port Dawg Rodeo at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, Sept. 15, 2021. The team traveled to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, for the competition, which included everyday tasks of an aerial port Airman and used to showcase skill and build esprit de corps amongst Port Dawgs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Zoe Thacker)

U.S. Air Force Col. Christopher Hall, 627th Air Base Group commander, gives opening remarks during a wreath-laying ceremony at the McChord War Memorial at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, Sept. 17, 2021. Team McChord Airmen gathered at the memorial for the POW/MIA wreath-laying ceremony to pay their respects to the more than 81,000 American heroes who were, and may still be, missing in action and those who were prisoners of war. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Zoe Thacker)

U.S. Airmen with the 627th Civil Engineer Squadron run their final lap with the POW/MIA flag during the 24-hour remembrance run at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, Sept. 16, 2021. Collectively, Team McChord ran more than 300 miles to honor the sacrifice and memory of those Americans who were prisoners of war or were, and may still be, missing in action. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Zoe Thacker)

U.S. Soldiers with the 82nd Airborne Division prepare to execute a static-line jump out of a C-17 Globemaster III over Indonesia during Exercise Garuda Shield 21, Aug. 4, 2021. Garuda Shield 21 is a U.S. Army Pacific-sponsored exercise, which involved approximately 1,000 U.S. and 850 Indonesian Army Soldiers, that enhanced combined interoperability capabilities through training and cultural exchange. This exercise continued to solidify the U.S.-Indonesia Major Defense Partnership and advanced cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific Region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rachel Williams)