A U.S Air Force B-52 Stratofortress assigned to the 96th Bomb Squadron from Barksdale Air Force Base, La. takes off during Red Flag 14-2 March 4, 2014, at Nellis AFB, Nev. Red Flag provides realistic combat scenarios in a training environment that improve operational readiness. Improved readiness will ensure that crews are better prepared to successfully accomplish future real world missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Thomas Spangler)