Exercise Thracian Fall 2011

C-130J aircraft from the 37th Airlift Squadron, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, fly over Plovdiv, Bulgaria, during Exercise Thracian Fall 2011, Oct. 17, 2011. Thracian Fall is an off-station training exercise designed to enhance interoperability between U.S. and Bulgarian Air Forces as well as build partnerships with paratroopers from both. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Stephen J. Otero)

Aircraft commander

U.S. Air Force Major Bryan Smith, pilot, 37th Airlift Squadron, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, flies a C-130J Super Hercules during a 10 ship formation over southern Germany, Oct. 5, 2011. The 37th AS joined U.S. Army paratroopers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, U.S. Army Garrison Vincenza, Italy, in support of Exercise Bayonet Resolve. The joint exercise highlights Ramstein's training, war readiness, and combat delivery capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Stephen J. Otero)

Early start

Ten C-130J Super Hercules from the 37th Airlift Squadron, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, awaits takeoff, Oct. 5, 2011. The 37th AS will join U.S. Army paratroopers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, U.S. Army Garrison Vincenza, Italy in support of Exercise Bayonet Resolve. The joint exercise highlights Ramstein's training, war readiness, and combat delivery capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Stephen J. Otero)

Dawn

C-130J Super Hercules from the 37th Airlift Squadron, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, fly in a 10 ship formation over southern Germany in support of Exercise Bayonet Resolve Oct. 5, 2011. This joint exercise with U.S. Army members highlights Ramstein's training, war readiness, and combat delivery capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Stephen J. Otero)

Safety check

U.S. Army paratroopers of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, US Army Garrison Vincenza, Italy, check parachutes prior to loading onto C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, in support of Exercise Bayonet Resolve Oct. 5, 2011. This joint exercise with U.S. Air Force members highlights Ramstein's training, war readiness, and combat delivery capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Stephen J. Otero)

Load up

U.S. Army paratroopers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, U.S. Army Garrison Vincenza, Italy, load onto C-130J Super Hercules aircraft from the 37th Airlift Squadron, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Oct. 5, 2011. The 37th AS joined the brigade in support of Exercise Bayonet Resolve. The exercise highlights Ramstein's training, war readiness, and combat delivery capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Stephen J. Otero)