1st Lt. Zach Ziegler, assigned to 351st Expeditionary

1st Lt. Zach Ziegler, assigned to 351st Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, prepares for in flight refueling during exercise REAL THAW, Feb. 19, 2013. The 351st Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron is comprised of members of the 100th Air Refueling Wing, RAF Mildenhall, England ,REAL THAW is the Portuguese military's premiere annual exercise that integrates the Portuguese Army, Navy and Air Force for joint operations and scenarios. The exercise also includes forces from partner nations. The 81st Fighter Squadron, out of Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, is one of the U.S. representatives in Portugal. Their airframe, the A-10 Thunderbolt II, is the only close air support aircraft participating this year, and the Portuguese military is taking full advantage of its capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt LeeAnn Sunn/Released)