Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend describes the process of in-air mission command ahead of an airborne operation to Secretary of Defense Ash Carter in the air over Fort Bragg, N.C., July 10. Carter was given the opportunity to witness up-close the intricate complexity of an airborne operation with members of the 82nd Airborne Division global response force. Carter’s visit included a question and answer session with Soldiers of the XVIII Airborne Corps and capabilities demonstrations from airborne and special operations forces. Carter praised the readiness of the servicemen and women stationed at Bragg, promising a bright future as the very tip of the spear in the nation's global strategic posture. (U.S. Army Illustration by Staff Sgt. Charles Crail, XVIII Airborne Corps /Released)