U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-TX, and U.S. Air Force Airmen stand beside a C-130J Super Hercules at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, Aug. 9, 2018. Cruz and his staff visited the base to meet commanders and familiarize themselves with the missions of the base, as well as to share the success and impact of the bi-partisan effort to successfully pass the Fiscal Year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act through Congress faster than in the previous two decades. Airmen spoke to the senator and staff about the different missions and deployments the aircraft on the base have completed, along with some of the functions of the aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Mercedes Porter)