U.S. Air Force Maj. Vincent Sherer, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing pilot prepares for takeoff at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan Aug. 5, 2014.  As an A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot, provides close air support to ground forces operating in Afghanistan.  Sherer is deployed from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. and a native of Portland, Ore. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez/Released)