Master Sgt. Chris Banks, a medic with the 438th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group, shouts instructions while attending to injured village members on a Mi-17 helicopter, Jan. 24, 2012. Due to the severity of the injuries, Banks relayed the need for immediate ambulatory services at the landing zone to the aircrew. American and Afghan Airmen conducted a rescue mission in the Badakshan province; Afghanistan after an avalanche trapped and injured members of Shewa Village.

(U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Shane A. Cuomo, 438th Air Expeditionary Wing (DVIDS))

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jonathan Hill, an Mi-17 helicopter engineer from the 438th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron, waits to take off from Fayzabad, Afghanistan, for an aerial observation of a crash site mission in Badakshan province.

(U.S. Air Force photo/ Master Sgt. Shane A. Cuomo)