919th C-130 sortie

A 919th Special Operations Wing loadmaster walks around an MC-130 prior to a mission July 30 at Duke Field. The 919th launched more than 850 sorties and averaged more than 2,000 flight hours last year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel King Jr.)

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919th C-130 sortie

Lt. Col. Michael Theriot, 711th Special Operations Squadron pilot, completes his walkaround inspection of the MC-130 prior to the sortie July 30 at Duke Field. The 919th launched more than 850 sorties and averaged more than 2,000 flight hours last year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel King Jr.)

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919th C-130 sortie

A 919th Special Operations Wing loadmaster talks with an MC-130 pilot prior to a mission July 30 at Duke Field. The 919th launched more than 850 sorties and averaged more than 2,000 flight hours last year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel King Jr.)

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919th C-130 sortie

Mike Zukusky, 919th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, directs the pilot to turn the MC-130 as it taxis to the runway for a mission July 30 at Duke Field. The 919th launched more than 850 sorties and averaged more than 2,000 flight hours last year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel King Jr.)

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919th C-130 sortie

Staff Sgt. Shawn Cooper, 711th Special Operations Squadron loadmaster, watches the engines fire up before closing the doors before an MC-130 sortie July 30. The 919th launched more than 850 sorties and averaged more than 2,000 flight hours last year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jon McCallum.)

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919th C-130 sortie

Mike Zukusky, 919th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, salutes the pilot of the MC-130 as it taxis to the runway for a mission July 30 at Duke Field. The 919th launched more than 850 sorties and averaged more than 2,000 flight hours last year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel King Jr.)

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919th C-130 sortie

A 919th Special Operations Wing MC-130 lifts off the Duke Field runway for a mission July 30. The 919th launched more than 850 sorties and averaged more than 2,000 flight hours last year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel King Jr.)

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919th C-130 sortie

Senior Master Sgt. Doug McDavid, 711th Special Operations Squadron flight engineer, performs in-flight duties during an MC-130 mission July 30. The 919th launched more than 850 sorties and averaged more than 2,000 flight hours last year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jon McCallum.)

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919th C-130 sortie

A 919th Special Operations Wing MC-130 passes over the Duke Field runway during a mission July 30. The 919th launched more than 850 sorties and averaged more than 2,000 flight hours last year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel King Jr.)

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919th C-130 sortie

Capt. Jeff Negrette, 711th Special Operations Squadron pilot, monitors the controls during an MC-130E mission July 30. The 919th launched more than 850 sorties and averaged more than 2,000 flight hours last year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jon McCallum.)

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From the ground to the air: a 919th C-130 sortie

Published Aug. 2, 2009