I found this photo on the Air Force website. At first glance, nothing to it. An Airman is assisting in a pre-flight inspection of a F-16.
The problem comes with the weapons layout. Sidewinders and AMRAAMs for air support missions? Not bloody likely. Is this an indication that the USAF is flying Combat Air Patrols along the border with Iran? I think it does. And before I get the "that's old news" line, please direct me to the story!
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Nick Forester performs preflight checks
on an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft preparing to launch for a mission
from Joint Base Balad, Iraq, July 24, 2010. Forester is a crew chief
with the 169th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron out of McEntire Joint
National Guard Base, S.C. (DoD photo by Tech. Sgt. Caycee Cook, U.S. Air
Force/Released)
