Capt. James Edwards, a pilot with the 120th Fighter Squadron, Colorado Air National Guard, prepares for takeoff as part of a scramble competition event between the Colorado Air National Guard and the Royal Jordanian Air Force. The Scramble tests the pilots and their crew chiefs in their ability to launch aircraft in a simulated quick response scenario during Eager Lion. Eager Lion is a U.S. Central Command-directed, irregular warfare-themed exercise focusing on missions the United States and its coalition partners might perform in support of global contingency operations. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. John P. Rohrer)