U.S. Air Force Col. Kevin E. Blanchard, 355th Fighter Wing commander, performs pre-flight communication checks before his final flight in an A-10 Thunderbolt II at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., July 30, 2104. Blanchard is retiring after 23 years of service and more than 500 hours of combat over Iraq and Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Chris Massey/Released)