“Hot,” in More Than One Way

Aircrews of USAF C-130 Hercules tactical transports making stops at Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan, do so with engines running because it’s a high threat area. Air Force photojournalist MSgt. Orville Desjarlais reports that the 140-degree blast from the aircraft’s engines compounds the location’s triple digit temperature as the lone USAF aerial porter, TSgt. Philip Lester, quickly moves cargo and passengers off and on the Hercs. Lester has some help from another airman—firefighter SSgt. Walter Shutler—and the US Army soldiers he has been indoctrinating in aircraft cargo procedures.