KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Six 18th Wing F-15C Eagles prepare to take off while a seventh taxis into position at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 5, 2007, en route to Guam in support of Exercise Valiant Shield. More than 400 Airmen and F-15Cs, KC-135R Stratotankers and E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft are participating in the weeklong Pacific Command joint exercise which focuses on integrated joint training to enable real-world proficiency in sustaining forces and detecting, locating, tracking and engaging units at sea, in the air, on land, and cyberspace in response to a range of mission areas. U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Darnell T. Cannady