Preparing for takeoff
BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq - Maj. Dag Grantham, 332nd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron F-16 pilot, performs a pre-flight inspection on his aircraft prior to a mission here, April 9. Part of the pre-flight inspection includes checking all maintenance panels to make sure they are closed and fuel tank caps are secured. The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a compact, multi-role fighter aircraft, which is highly maneuverable and has proven itself in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack. Major Grantham is deployed from Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. (U.S. Air Force photo /Senior Airman Julianne Showalter)