An F-16C Fighting Falcon sits tethered to the hot cargo pad. An F-16C Fighting Falcon sits tethered to the hot cargo pad at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, on the morning of Dec. 31, 2008. The aircraft is tethered to secure it in place before a full afterburner engine run-up. SHARE: Download: Full Size (0.06 MB) Credit: VIRIN: 122303-U-PIV68-837.jpg Photo Gallery