Maintainers keep "Hercs" in the air for the relief effort
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Airman 1st Class Stephen Tessier, 374th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, prepares tools to be used for preventive maintenance on a C-130 Hercules here March 31, 2011. The Kewanee, Ill., native is stationed in Japan and is currently supporting Operation Tomodachi, which kicked off at the request of the Government of Japan to support humanitarian relief efforts for those affected by the earthquake and tsunami disaster March 11. Crews at Yokota are working around the clock to ensure continual support to Japanese disaster relief efforts. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrea Salazar)