SAFE SKIES 2011
Col. Scott Patten, the commander of the Alabama Air National Guard’s 187th Fighter Wing, climbs into a Ukrainian SU-27 at Mirgorod Air Base, Ukraine, July 21, 2011, 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)