Photo Of The Day: Photojournalism is the process of telling a story using photos as the main way to tell the story. A journalist uses a pen and paper to write stories, but a photojournalist uses a camera to take pictures that show what a story is about. Above you see senior Airman Brandon Heyman, a security forces specialist assigned to the 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, as he maintains a defensive perimeter around an F-15E Strike Eagle at an undisclosed location within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle weapons system officer assigned to the 389th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron conducts preflight checks.

A U.S. Air Force HC-130J Combat King II, assigned to the 26th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, prepares to drop off recovery forces for two F-15E Strike Eagles. Aircrew members assigned to the 26th ERQS, security forces Airmen, and expeditionary maintenance Airmen recovered two F-15Es after weather forced pilots to divert to an alternate airfield within the CENTCOM AOR.

Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Rhodes, 26th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron HC-130J Combat King II loadmaster, sits atop a pallet during loading at an undisclosed location in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Dec. 29, 2022. The HC-130J is a rescue asset that makes up one-third of the rescue triad, along with HH-60 Jolly Green helicopters and pararescue jumper forces, and performs combat airlift and airdrop operations within the CENTCOM AOR.

Photos and captions: U.S. Air Force, by Staff Sgt. Gerald Willis – United States Air Forces Central.