Vigilant Shield

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Paige Nelson, assigned to the 46th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (AMXS) as a crew chief, completes a safety checklist for an F-16 Fighting Falcon prior to departure in support of Exercise Vigilant Shield 12 at Naval Air Station Key West, Fla., Nov. 6, 2011. The exercise in Key West is the "first-ever proof of concept" for the military's Joint Deployable Integrated Air and Missile Defense System, a collection of high-end radars and missile systems as well as aircraft that work in tandem in the event of a threat to the continental United States. The 46th AMXS is from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kamaile O. Long/Released)

Vigilant Shield

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Leo Oliphant, assigned to the 46th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (AMXS) as a crew chief, gives the signal to an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot to hold breaks prior to a training flight in support of Exercise Vigilant Shield 12 at Naval Air Station Key West, Fla., Nov. 6, 2011. The exercise in Key West is the "first-ever proof of concept" for the military's Joint Deployable Integrated Air and Missile Defense System, a collection of high-end radars and missile systems as well as aircraft that work in tandem in the event of a threat to the continental United States. The 46th AMXS is from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kamaile O. Long/Released)

Vigilant Shield

U.S. Air Force Maj. James Geoppinger completes his preflight check of a F-16 Fighting Falcon for a mission during exercise Vigilant Shield 12 on Naval Air Station Key West, Fla., Nov. 6, 2011. The exercise in Key West will be the "first-ever proof of concept" for the military's Joint Deployable Integrated Air and Missile Defense System, a collection of high-end radars and missile systems as well as aircraft that work in tandem in the event of a threat to the continental United States. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dennis J. Henry Jr.)

Vigilant Shield

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jon Peek, crew chief, from the 46th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, blue aircraft maintenance unit , Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., prepares a F-16 Fighting Falcon for a mission during exercise Vigilant Shield 12 on Naval Air Station Key West, Fla., Nov. 6, 2011. The exercise in Key West will be the "first-ever proof of concept" for the military's Joint Deployable Integrated Air and Missile Defense System, a collection of high-end radars and missile systems as well as aircraft that work in tandem in the event of a threat to the continental United States. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dennis J. Henry Jr.)

Vigilant Shield

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jam Baro, crew chief, from the 46th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, blue aircraft maintenance unit, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., prepares a F-16 Fighting Falcon for a mission during exercise Vigilant Shield 12 on Naval Air Station Key West, Fla., Nov. 6, 2011. The exercise in Key West will be the "first-ever proof of concept" for the military's Joint Deployable Integrated Air and Missile Defense System, a collection of high-end radars and missile systems as well as aircraft that work in tandem in the event of a threat to the continental United States. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dennis J. Henry Jr.)

Vigilant Shield

U.S. Air Force Maj. James Geoppinger completes his preflight check of a F-16 Fighting Falcon for a mission during exercise Vigilant Shield 12 on Naval Air Station Key West, Fla., Nov. 6, 2011. The exercise in Key West will be the "first-ever proof of concept" for the military's Joint Deployable Integrated Air and Missile Defense System, a collection of high-end radars and missile systems as well as aircraft that work in tandem in the event of a threat to the continental United States. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dennis J. Henry Jr.)