C-130J flies OEF mission on Christmas Day

Through the window of a C-130J Hercules, the mountainous terrain of Afghanistan can be seen on Dec. 25, 2009. The C-130 was on an airlift mission for Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
C-130J flies OEF mission on Christmas Day

Through the window of a C-130J Hercules, the mountainous terrain of Afghanistan can be seen on Dec. 25, 2009. The C-130 was on an airlift mission for Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
C-130J flies OEF mission on Christmas Day

From the window of a C-130J Hercules, the mountainous terrain and a village in Afghanistan can be seen on Dec. 25, 2009. The C-130 was on an airlift mission for Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
C-130 prepares for OEF mission

Airmen prepare a C-130J Hercules for a mission for Operation Enduring Freedom at an undisclosed base in Southwest Asia on Dec. 25, 2009. The C-130 is one of the lead airlift aircraft the Air Force and Air Mobility Command uses to "fly, fight and win...in air, space and cyberspace." (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
C-130J flies OEF mission on Christmas Day

Master Sgt. John Kttrell, C-130J Hercules loadmaster, prepares the C-130J for cargo unloading during airlift operations at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, on Dec. 25, 2009. The C-130 was on an airlift mission for Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
C-130J flies OEF mission on Christmas Day

C-130J Hercules airecrew members prepare a C-130J for a mission during airlift operations at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, on Dec. 25, 2009. The C-130's mission was for Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
C-130J flies OEF mission on Christmas Day

Through the window of a C-130J Hercules, the mountainous terrain of Afghanistan can be seen on Dec. 25, 2009. The C-130 was on an airlift mission for Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
C-130J flies OEF mission on Christmas Day

Tech. Sgt. Joe Helm, C-130J Hercules loadmaster, prepares a C-130 for an Operation Enduring Freedom mission on Dec. 25, 2009. Sergeant Helm is deployed from the 815th Airlift Squadron at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
C-130J flies OEF mission on Christmas Day

Aircrew members prepare a C-130J Hercules for an Operation Enduring Freedom mission from Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, on Dec. 25, 2009. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
C-130J flies OEF mission on Christmas Day

Tech. Sgt. Joe Helm, C-130J Hercules loadmaster, prepares a C-130 for an Operation Enduring Freedom mission on Dec. 25, 2009. Sergeant Helm is deployed from the 815th Airlift Squadron at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
C-130J flies OEF mission on Christmas Day

From the window of a C-130J Hercules, the terrain and a village in Afghanistan can be seen on Dec. 25, 2009. The C-130 was on an airlift mission for Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
C-130J flies OEF mission on Christmas Day

Master Sgt. John Kttrell, C-130J Hercules loadmaster, looks out the window of a KC-10 during an airlift mission over Afghanistan, on Dec. 25, 2009. The C-130 was on an airlift mission for Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
C-130J flies OEF mission on Christmas Day

From the window of a C-130J Hercules, the mountainous terrain and a village in Afghanistan can be seen on Dec. 25, 2009. The C-130 was on an airlift mission for Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

Photo essay: Christmas Day C-130 flight over Afghanistan

Published Dec. 27, 2009
By Tech. Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol
380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

OVER AFGHANISTAN -- On Dec. 25, a C-130J Hercules deployed to Southwest Asia flew an airlift mission to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom.

The photos in this photo essay cover that C-130's flight.

C-130J flies OEF mission on Christmas Day

C-130J flies OEF mission on Christmas Day

C-130J flies OEF mission on Christmas Day

C-130 prepares for OEF mission

C-130J flies OEF mission on Christmas Day

C-130J flies OEF mission on Christmas Day

C-130J flies OEF mission on Christmas Day

C-130J flies OEF mission on Christmas Day

C-130J flies OEF mission on Christmas Day

C-130J flies OEF mission on Christmas Day

C-130J flies OEF mission on Christmas Day

C-130J flies OEF mission on Christmas Day

C-130J flies OEF mission on Christmas Day