Weekday pilots (13 photos)

During the war in Afghanistan, the nature of the use of combat aircraft has changed, reflecting the political complications associated with the death of civilians as a result of inaccurate or mistaken air strikes. Also often have been used unmanned reconnaissance capable monitor the potential targets and longer without risk to pilots and expensive war machines.

Nevertheless, pilots and military aircraft are an important component of the coalition forces, as aviation is the most versatile and impressive weapons in its arsenal.

1. Commander McDowell Lane, recently returned to the departure on the F / A-18, on board the aircraft carrier "John C. Stennis" in the Arabian Sea, Jan. 10, 2012. (Tyler Hicks / The New York Times)



2. Briefing for crew members aboard the aircraft carrier "John C. Stennis" in the Arabian Sea, Jan. 10, 2012. (Tyler Hicks / The New York Times)



3. Technicians prepare educational 500-pound bombs on board the aircraft carrier "John C. Stennis" in the Arabian Sea, January 10, 2012. (Tyler Hicks / The New York Times)



4. sailors on the deck of an aircraft carrier "John C. Stennis" in the Arabian Sea. (Tyler Hicks / The New York Times)



5. The technician makes a remark that aircraft ammunition replenished. (Tyler Hicks / The New York Times)



6. The technician on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier "John C. Stennis" in the Arabian Sea on 11 January 2012. (Tyler Hicks / The New York Times)



7. The sailors give the team aircraft on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier "John C. Stennis" in the Arabian Sea, Jan. 9, 2012. (Tyler Hicks / The New York Times)



8. antisubmarine combat information center post of the aircraft carrier "John C. Stennis" January 12, 2012. (Tyler Hicks / The New York Times)



9. Rear Admiral Craig Feller (left) and Captain Dell Bull (right) prepare the aircraft for takeoff from the deck of an aircraft carrier "John C. Stennis", Jan. 10, 2012. (Tyler Hicks / The New York Times)



10. The sailor gives orders aircraft on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier "John C. Stennis" in the Arabian Sea. (Tyler Hicks / The New York Times)



11. Fighter-bomber F / A-18F of the province of Kandahar, Afghanistan, January 8 2012. (Tyler Hicks / The New York Times)



12. The sailor gives orders aircraft on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier "John C. Stennis" in the Arabian Sea, January 11, 2012. (Tyler Hicks / The New York Times)



13. The senior officers are going to smoke cigars and talk after the flight, the aircraft carrier "John C. Stennis" in the Arabian Sea on January 12, 2012. (Tyler Hicks / The New York Times)