THE TENSION: Combat Camera: Illinois Air National Guard Reinforces Levees

Airmen assigned to the Illinois Air National Guard team up with local residents to spread sheets of plastic over reinforced levees along the Mississippi River, June 19, 2008, near Pleasant Hill, Ill. The plastic sheets prevent erosion that could cause the levee to fail and flood thousands of acres of farmland and homes. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jack Braden.)

Illinois National Guardsmen unload a truck full of sand bags, June 19, 2008. The sandbags will be used to secure plastic sheets to help prevent erosion along the Sny levee near Pleasant Hill, Ill. The Sny levee protects communities along the Mississippi River for a distance of 52 miles. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Desiree N. Palacios.)

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Aaron Rath secures two sandbags with rope along the Sny levee near Pleasant Hill, Ill., June 19, 2008. Rath is an Air National Guardsman assigned to the 183th Fighter Wing located in Spring Field, Ill. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Desiree N. Palacios.)

Airmen assigned to the Illinois Air National Guard spread sheets of plastic over reinforced levees along the Mississippi River, June 19, 2008, near Pleasant Hill, Ill. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jack Braden.)

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Eric Bell cuts rope to secure sand bags in place, June 19, 2008, to help prevent erosion of the Sny levee near Pleasant Hill, Ill. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Desiree N. Palacios.)

Airmen assigned to the Illinois Air National Guard wade in knee-deep water to spread sheets of plastic over reinforced levees along the Mississippi River, June 19, 2008, near Pleasant Hill, Ill. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jack Braden.)

Airmen assigned to the Illinois Air National Guard spread sheets of plastic over reinforced levees along the Mississippi River near Pleasant Hill, Ill., June 19, 2008. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jack Braden.)

U.S. Air Force Master Sgts. Brexton Hal, right, and Paul Butts unload sandbags used to hold large sheets of plastic in place on the reinforced levees along the Mississippi River, June 19, 2008. The two are assigned to the Illinois Air National Guard's 183th Fighter Wing located in Spring Field, Ill. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jack Braden.)