Working in the "Shadows"

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Staff Sgt. Daniel Wolfbauer, 353rd Special Operations Maintenance Squadron propulsions specialist, fills out paperwork after performing routine maintenance on an MC-130P Combat Shadow here March 31. As part of Operation Tomodachi, the U.S. military has humanitarian assistance capabilities positioned in the affected region that are supporting emergency relief efforts and trying to minimize human suffering. U.S. military assets include a wide range of equipment and air, sea and ground capabilities and expertise. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Chad C. Strohmeyer)

Working in the "Shadows"

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Airman 1st Class Cesar Cantu, 353rd Special Operations Maintenance Squadron instrument flight controls specialist, performs routine maintenance on an MC-130P Combat Shadow here March 31. As part of Operation Tomodachi, the U.S. military has humanitarian assistance capabilities positioned in the affected region that are supporting emergency relief efforts and trying to minimize human suffereing. U.S. military assests include a wide range of equipment and air, sea and ground capabilities and expertise. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Chad C. Strohmeyer)

Working in the "Shadows"

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Staff Sgt. Owen Connolly and Tech. Sgt. Joseph Jenkins, 353rd Special Operations Maintenance Squadron, prepare an MC-130P Combat Shadow to taxi down the flight line here March 31. As part of Operation Tomodachi, the U.S. military has humanitarian assistance capabilities positioned in the affected region that are supporting emergency relief efforts and trying to minimize human suffering. U.S. military assets include a wide range of equipment and air, sea and ground capabilities and expertise. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Chad C. Strohmeyer)

Working in the "Shadows"

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Staff Sgt. Owen Connolly, 353rd Special Operations Maintenance Squadron aerospace maintenance crew chief, speaks to the crew chief in the cockpit of an MC-130P Combat Shadow prior to taxiing down the flight line here March 31. As part of Operation Tomodachi, the U.S. military has humanitarian assistance capabilities positioned in the affected region that are supporting emergency relief efforts and trying to minimize human suffering. U.S. military assets include a wide range of equipment and air, sea and ground capabilities and expertise. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Chad C. Strohmeyer)

Working in the "Shadows"

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Senior Airman John Pura, 353rd Special Operations Maintenance Squadron, works all through the night performing maintenance on an MC-130P Combat Shadow here March 31. As part of Operation Tomodachi, the U.S. military has humanitarian assistance capabilities positioned in the affected region that are supporting emergency relief efforts and trying to minimize human suffering. U.S. military assets include a wide range of equipment and air, sea and ground capabilities and expertise. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Chad C. Strohmeyer)

Working in the "Shadows"

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Staff Sgt. Jack Kindell, 353rd Special Operations Maintenance Squadron crew chief, reviews an electronic technical order prior to moving an MC-130P Combat Shadow across the flight line here March 31, 2011. The Cheboygan, Mich., native is stationed in Japan and is currently supporting Operation Tomodachi, which kicked off at the request of the Government of Japan to support humanitarian relief efforts for those affected by the earthquake tsunami disaster March 11. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrea Salazar)