A look at remote warriors

The Air Force's 480th Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Wing is responsible for collecting and analyzing surveillance and intelligence data for U.S. military commanders all around the world.

- Made up of six ISR groups, including the 497th ISR Group at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia

- Others are in Fort Gordon, Ga.; Beale Air Force Base, Calif.; Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii; Ramstein Air Base, Germany; and Osan Air Base, South Korea

- Analysts watch and analyze streaming data from drones, manned aircraft, sensors and intelligence feeds

- Track insurgents, assess battle damage, share information and analysis in real time with commanders and troops on the ground, advising them on when they can attack

- The 490th ISR Wing collects 1,600 hours of video a day

- The 497th ISR Group includes about 1,200 airmen, both men and women

- Analysts work 12-hour shifts; largely 1st and 2nd lieutenants, 19-21 years old