Frontline duty: Airmen execute distinctive missions.

America's Airmen perform diverse services everyday around the globe--From rescuing stranded boaters to welding million dollar aircraft.

"I believe I have the best job in the Air Force and I take a lot of pride in knowing I have a critical role in the B-1 maintenance world," said Senior Airman Nathan Schroeder, an aircraft metals technologist journeyman. "Nothing is ever the same, I have a chance to work with all kinds of exotic materials and develop new skills every day that I wouldn't get to do on the outside."

Airmen's thirst to develop new skills and continuous training to polish them are elements that keep the Air Force mission on track: to fly, fight and win ... in air, space and cyberspace.

"There are some things you must do in life where the outcome is all that matters, and how you get there is not really important," Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz told Airmen deployed to U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility. "There are other things where how you accomplish something is equally, or even more important than the outcome. I will argue that we need that kind of discipline in everything we do. It applies to aircraft maintenance, cops, medical, logistics, readiness and any other mission you could name. It's the Air Force way. It's the right way. The key for our future is to do the right things the right way."

--Airman staff

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FAST BURNER

photo by AIRMAN 1ST CLASS JOSHUA J. SEYBERT

Senior Airman Nathan Schroeder, aircraft metals technologist journeyman, 28th Maintenance Squadron, welds a crack on a nose landing gear torsion link cover at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D. The cover protects hydraulic lines on the landing gear from damage.

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IN HARMONY

photo by SENIOR AIRMAN LARRY E. REID JR

Senior Airman Cristy Lagazo, a vocalist with Tops in Blue, performs at the Fremont Street Experience in Las Vegas, Nev. Tops in Blue is a U.S. Air Force special unit made up of talented amateur performers selected for their entertainment abilities who perform for military personnel and their families all over the world. Tops In Blue celebrates 55 years of entertainment history in 2009.

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RESCUE ANGELS

photo by SENIOR AIRMAN JULIANNE SHOWALTER

U.S. Air Force Pararescuemen and Japanese Air Self Defense Force Air Rescue personnel help a simulated survivor to a collection point on a beach off the coast of Okinawa, Japan during exercise Cope Angel. This annual bilateral event strengthened cooperation between Kadena Airmen and their Japanese counterparts, challenging them with a variety of realistic scenarios.

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WARRIOR FLIGHT

photo by SENIOR AIRMAN BRITTANY BARKER

U.S. Airmen from the 820th Security Forces Group and personnel from the II Squadron Royal Air Force Regiment, from RAF Honington, board a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft to perform a static line parachute jump over Moody Air Force Base, Ga. The RAF unit visited the 820th Security Forces Group for a training exercise called Operation Winged Eagle.

ORDNANCE CHECK

photo by Master Sgt. Kevin J. Gruenwalt

At Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Capt. Patrick Applegate inspects the M-117 ordnance on his B-52 Stratofortress before a live-drop mission for exercise Tropic Fury. The B-52 is deployed from Minot, N.D. in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

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FLYING BY WIRE

photo by STAFF SGT. BENNIE J. DAVIS III

Air Force Reserve Pararescuemen conduct 100 ft. repel training from a HH-60G Pave Hawk during a training mission in preparation for space shuttle mission STS-119 at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla. Among their many missions, the 920th Rescue Wing provides primary rescue support for astronauts during all shuttle launches.

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THUNDER ROAD

photo BY SENIOR AIRMAN LARRY E. REID JR.

The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron "Thunderbirds" fly over the Las Vegas Motor Speedway during the Shelby 427 NASCAR Sprint Cup race. Stationed at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., the Thunderbirds began their 2009 air demonstration schedule March 21 and will perform 73 shows in the United States, Puerto Rico and the Far East.

PATRIOT POST

photo by TECH. SGT. LIBBY STEVENSON

Master Sgt. Robbie Bean and Senior Airman John Ostrowske rappel with the American flag during the opening ceremony of an Arenacross 2009 series dirt bike race event in Dayton, Ohio. Both Airmen are from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

STRONG WILLED

photo by MIKE KAPLAN

Air Force Academy Junior Garrett Canter executes an iron cross on the still rings at the annual Rocky Mountain Open held this year at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado.

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HOMECOMING

photo by SENIOR AIRMAN MARC I. LANE

Tech. Sgt. Joe Jackson, a munitions controller with the 28th Munitions Squadron, hugs his son at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., in January when approximately 300 Airmen returned to the base from deployments supporting Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.