Operation Sandstorm 13-1

An F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 144th Fighter Wing taxis down the runway after final end of runway inspections during a Phase I operational readiness exercise March 2, 2013 at the Fresno Air National Guard Base, Calif. The Phase I exercise tests the base’s ability to transition from peacetime readiness into a wartime posture. (Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Charles Vaughn)

Operation Sandstorm 13-1

Members of the 144th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron perform final end of runway inspections during a Phase I operational readiness exercise March 2, 2013 at the Fresno Air National Guard Base, Calif. The Phase I exercise tests the base’s ability to transition from peacetime readiness into a wartime posture. (Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Charles Vaughn)

SAFE SKIES 2011

Ukraine SU-27s fly with Alabama Air National Guard F-16 Fighting Falcons over Ukranian sunflower fields during SAFE SKIES 2011. SAFE SKIES 2011 is a military-to-military exchange between airmen from the U.S., Ukraine and Poland to enhance airspace security over the Ukraine and Poland in preparation for EURO 2012, the European soccer championship games. (U. S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Charles Vaughn)

Combat Archer 2007

Two F-16s from the 194th Fighter Squadron, 144th Fighter Wing, Fresno, CA, taxi out to the runway behind two F-15s from Tyndall AFB for an early morning training mission during Combat Archer, a weapon systems academics exercise, at Tyndall AFB, FL on February 5, 2007. (U.S. Air Force photo by SMSgt Chris Drudge)(released)

California Falcons

OVER THE GULF OF MEXICO -- A pair of F-16 Fighting Falcons fly during a sortie for the weapons systems evaluation program at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., on May 18. The F-16s are assigned to the California Air National Guard's 144th Fighter Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Shaun Withers)

Total force at home

OPERATION NOBLE EAGLE -- An F-16 Fighting Falcon from the California Air National Guard prepares to receive fuel from an Air Force Reserve Command KC-135E Stratotanker during an Operation Noble Eagle combat air patrol over San Francisco's Golden Gate. The KC-135E and its crew are assigned the 940th Air Refueling Wing at Beale Air Force Base, Calif. The F-16 and its pilot are from the 144th Fighter Wing at Fresno Air National Guard Base, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Robert Couse-Baker)