Airman 1st Class Mareguis Killebrew, 380th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron, checks for leaks on a KC-10 Extender engine Aug. 29, 2009, while working in Southwest Asia. Airman Killebrew is deployed from Travis Air Force Base, Calif. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. Charles Larkin Sr.)

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Senior Airman Corey Keele, 380th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron, uses a speed handle to lower the boom on a KC-10 Extender Aug. 29, 2009, during operations in Southwest Asia. Airman Keele is deployed from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. Charles Larkin Sr.)

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Senior Airman Corey Keele, 380th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron, uses a single point refuel valve to drain the boom on a KC-10 Extender Aug. 29, 2009, during operations in Southwest Asia. Airman Keele is deployed from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. Charles Larkin Sr.)

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Tech. Sgt. Timothy Nay, 380th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron, uses a speed handle to lower the boom on a KC-10 Extender on Aug. 29, 2009, during operations in Southwest Asia. Sergeant Nay is deployed from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. Charles Larkin Sr)

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Staff Sgt. Jason Swanson, 380th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron, safety wires a cannon plug on the boom of a KC-10 Extender on Aug. 29, 2009, during operations in Southwest Asia. Sergeant Swanson is deployed from Travis Air Force Base, Calif. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. Charles Larkin Sr.)

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Staff Sgt. Jason Swanson, 380th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron, safety wires a cannon plug on the boom of a KC-10 Extender on Aug. 29, 2009, during operations in Southwest Asia. Sergeant Swanson is deployed from Travis Air Force Base, Calif. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. Charles Larkin Sr.)

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Senior Airman Shawn Adams, 380th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron, marshals out a KC-10 Extender on Aug. 29, 2009, during operations in Southwest Asia. Airman Adams is deployed from Travis Air Force Base, Calif. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. Charles Larkin Sr.)

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Photo essay: Mobility Warriors -- KC-10 maintainers in Southwest Asia

Published Sept. 3, 2009
By Tech. Sgt. Charles Larkin Sr.
380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- For deployed air refueling operations, maintenance Airmen from the 380th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron are keeping KC-10 Extenders ready for action.

The 380th EAS and the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing support both Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa. KC-10s stationed with the 380th AEW are the largest air refueling plane in the Air Force inventory.

These photos highlight the work done by KC-10 maintainers to help the 380th meet its deployed air refueling mission.