High Wire

By

Staff

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft assigned to the 18th Aggressor Squadron takes off from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Oct. 6, 2014, during RED FLAG-Alaska 15-1. RF-A is a series of Pacific Air Forces commander-directed field training exercises for U.S. and partner nation forces, providing combined offensive counter-air, interdiction, close air support and large force employment training in a simulated combat environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Joseph Swafford Jr./Released)

US Marines from 1st Battalion, 8th Marines prepare barbed wire on top of a wall in the town of Musa Qala on January 18, 2011. The top US military officer said January 12 he sees an increase in bloodshed in Afghanistan as allied forces step up their offensive against the Taliban. (Photo by DMITRY KOSTYUKOV/AFP/Getty Images)