U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Sam Cox, 18th Air Force commander, accompanied by his wife, Tammy, arrive at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina Sept. 27, 2016. Cox and his wife were visiting Joint Base Charleston to meet the Airmen of the 437th Airlift Wing and convey to them the importance of the work they do every day. As Air Mobility Command’s sole warfighting numbered air force, 18th Air Force is responsible for the command’s worldwide operational mission of providing rapid, global mobility and sustainment for America’s armed forces through airlift, aerial refueling, aeromedical evacuation, and contingency response.

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Todd Petzel, 18th Air Force command chief, fires a flare gun Sept. 28, 2016, at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina during his visit to the 437th Operations Support Squadron. Members of the base’s Bird/Animal Aircraft Strike Hazard program uses flare guns to frighten birds away from the flight line. Bird strikes can cause millions of dollars in fuselage and engine damage and even the total loss of an aircraft.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Sam Cox, 18th Air Force commander, tours a C-17 Globemaster III on Sept. 28, 2016, at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina during an alert readiness demonstration. The 437th Airlift Wing’s mission is to safely provide precise, reliable airlift worldwide. In the past year, Airmen from the 437th have supported air mobility operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Southwest Asia. As Air Mobility Command’s sole warfighting numbered air force, 18th Air Force is responsible for the command’s worldwide operational mission of providing rapid, global mobility and sustainment for America’s armed forces through airlift, aerial refueling, aeromedical evacuation, and contingency response.

Senior Airman Brian Schantz, Aircrew Flight Equipment, teaches Lt. Gen. Sam Cox, 18th Air Force commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Todd Petzel, command chief of the 18th Air Force, to pack a parachute September 29, 2016, at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina. One Aircrew Flight Equipment technician and up to two trainees are responsible for packing 25 parachutes every month in support of flight operations.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Sam Cox, 18th Air Force commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Todd Petzel, 18th AF command chief, receive a hands-on lesson on repairing a C-17 tire Sept. 29, 2016, at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina. Airmen from the 437th Maintenance Squadron ensure that every part of the aircraft is in good working order and safe to use.