Lt. Col. Michael Birkeland has the green light for take-off during a training exercise for Operation Noble Eagle Oct. 3 at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla. The 125th FW, Det. 1, maintains F-15 Eagle fighters on continuous 24-hour alert status, ready to intercept unknown aircraft at any time for Operation Noble Eagle. Colonel Birkeland is the 125th Fighter Wing, Det. 1 commander. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III)