Over there

Sgt. 1st Class Brian Thomas and Spc. Ben Richardson, of the 6th Ranger Training Battalion, talk over their plan of action to help the victims of a simulated helicopter crash during an exercise on the Eglin range, Oct. 20. The 6 RTB, Team Eglin’s emergency responders and local medical facilities participated in the exercise that simulated a helicopter crash with 12 Soldiers injured deep within the Eglin range. The victims were either evacuated by helicopter or by ambulance to area hospitals. The annual exercise was to validate the battalion’s emergency procedures and test their communication with Team Eglin and local emergency and medical units. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Joint movement

Army and Air Force medics prepare to move a simulated victim to the medical evacuation helicopter during a downed aircraft exercise on the Eglin range, Oct. 20. The 6th Ranger Training Battalion, Team Eglin’s emergency responders and local medical facilities participated in the exercise that simulated a helicopter crash with 12 Soldiers injured deep within the Eglin range. The victims were either evacuated by helicopter or by ambulance to area hospitals. The annual exercise was to validate the battalion’s emergency procedures and test their communication with Team Eglin and local emergency and medical units. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Burn

A victim waits for help after a simulated helicopter crash during an exercise on the Eglin range, Oct. 20. The 6th Ranger Training Battalion, Team Eglin’s emergency responders and local medical facilities participated in the exercise that simulated a helicopter crash with 12 Soldiers injured deep within the Eglin range. The victims were either evacuated by helicopter or by ambulance to area hospitals. The annual exercise was to validate the battalion’s emergency procedures and test their communication with Team Eglin and local emergency and medical units. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Medical attention

Army medics treat a victim of a simulated helicopter crash during an exercise on the Eglin range, Oct. 20. The 6th Ranger Training Battalion, Team Eglin’s emergency responders and local medical facilities participated in the exercise that simulated a downed aircraft with 12 Soldiers injured deep within the Eglin range. The victims were either evacuated by helicopter or by ambulance to area hospitals. The annual exercise was to validate the battalion’s emergency procedures and test their communication with Team Eglin and local emergency and medical units. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Aftermath of a crash

Sgt. 1st Class Brian Thomas, of the 6th Ranger Training Battalion, checks on the pilot of a simulated downed aircraft as victims lie around the crash site during an exercise on the Eglin range, Oct. 20. The 6 RTB, Team Eglin’s emergency responders and local medical facilities participated in the exercise that simulated a downed aircraft with 12 Soldiers injured deep within the Eglin range. The victims were either evacuated by helicopter or by ambulance to area hospitals. The annual exercise was to validate the battalion’s emergency procedures and test their communication with Team Eglin and local emergency and medical units. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Little help from above

Sgt. Joe Archer watches as the LUA-72 helicopter to arrive for the next medical evacuation during a downed aircraft exercise on the Eglin range, Oct. 20. The 6th Ranger Training Battalion, Team Eglin’s emergency responders and local medical facilities participated in the exercise that simulated a helicopter crash with 12 Soldiers injured deep within the Eglin range. The victims were either evacuated by helicopter or by ambulance to area hospitals. The annual exercise was to validate the battalion’s emergency procedures and test their communication with Team Eglin and local emergency and medical units. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Medevac

Soldiers carry a simulated victim to the helicopter for medical evacuation during a downed aircraft exercise on the Eglin range, Oct. 20. The 6th Ranger Training Battalion, Team Eglin’s emergency responders and local medical facilities participated in the exercise that simulated a helicopter crash with 12 Soldiers injured deep within the Eglin range. The victims were either evacuated by helicopter or by ambulance to area hospitals. The annual exercise was to validate the battalion’s emergency procedures and test their communication with Team Eglin and local emergency and medical units. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Preparing the patient

Army medics prepare a simulated victim for a helicopter evacuation during a downed aircraft exercise on the Eglin range, Oct. 20. The 6th Ranger Training Battalion, Team Eglin’s emergency responders and local medical facilities participated in the exercise that simulated a helicopter crash with 12 Soldiers injured deep within the Eglin range. The victims were either evacuated by helicopter or by ambulance to area hospitals. The annual exercise was to validate the battalion’s emergency procedures and test their communication with Team Eglin and local emergency and medical units. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

The prisoner

A black bear awaits his release back into the wilds of Eglin Air Force Base’s range Oct. 23. The 325-pound bear was found along the Eglin property line near Fort Walton Beach, Fla. This wasn’t the first time the bear had to be relocated according to Florida Fish and Wildlife employees. This was the fourth bear relocation on Eglin this year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

The prisoner

A black bear awaits his release back into the wilds of Eglin Air Force Base’s range Oct. 23. The 325-pound bear was found along the Eglin property line near Fort Walton Beach, Fla. This wasn’t the first time the bear had to be relocated according to Florida Fish and Wildlife employees. This was the fourth bear relocation on Eglin this year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Self Aid Buddy Care

Max Valencia, son of Master Sgt. Charley Valencia, 33rd Fighter Wing Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, is given Self Aid Buddy Care hands-on training by Airmen during Operation Hero at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Oct. 20. The event, sponsored by the 96th Test Wing Airman and Family Readiness Center, teaches children the experiences their military family members go through during predeployment and while out in the field. (U.S. Air Force photo/Randy Gon)

Not to worry

Senior Airman Jordan Hoover, 96th Test Wing Security Forces Squadron, whispers to his son McCoy before the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron’s demonstration during Operation Hero at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Oct. 20. The event, sponsored by the 96th Test Wing Airman and Family Readiness Center, teaches children the experiences their military family members go through during predeployment and while out in the field. (U.S. Air Force photo/Randy Gon)

Call to heroes

Col. Tony Douglas, 96th Test Wing installation deputy commander, encourages children to prepare for push-ups at their last stage of the processing line during Operation Hero at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Oct. 20. The event, sponsored by the 96th Test Wing Airman and Family Readiness Center, teaches children the experiences their military family members go through during predeployment and while out in the field. (U.S. Air Force photo/Randy Gon)

Heroes inspect an F-15

A parent and group of children find shade under an F-15 Eagle during Operation Hero at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Oct. 20. More than 250 children registered for the event, sponsored by the 96th Test Wing Airman and Family Readiness Center. Operation Hero teaches children the experiences their military family members go through during predeployment and while out in the field. (U.S. Air Force photo/Randy Gon)

A hero's smile

Capt. Kathy Konops, 9th Special Operations Squadron, reveals to Violet Bellino her camouflage face paint, during Operation Hero at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Oct. 20. Violet’s father, Sgt. Michael Bellino, is with the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 501. The event, sponsored by the 96th Test Wing Airman and Family Readiness Center, teaches children the experiences their military family members go through during predeployment and while out in the field. (U.S. Air Force photo/Randy Gon)

Sports talk

Matias Ferreira, a Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team player, talks to players from the Eglin Air Force Base joint military softball team over lunch at Legends restaurant, Oct. 22. The two teams will face off to raise awareness of the sacrifices and resilience of military members Nov. 3 at 5 p.m. at Morgan Sports Center in Destin, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Randy Gon)

Weapons load

Senior Airman Adrian Pamintuan, of the 96th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, double checks the connecters on the F-16 wing as his teammates move an MK-82 to be loaded during a weapons load competition Oct. 19 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Pamintuan and his team competed in the quarterly competition against an F-15 load crew team. The competition was measured by how quickly, safely and accurately the teams loaded an MK-82 and an AIM-9M to their respective aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Wrench-turner

Senior Airman Adrian Pamintuan, of the 96th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, loosens a bolt on an F-16 prior to mounting a bomb to the wing during a weapons load competition Oct. 19 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Pamintuan and his team competed in the quarterly competition against an F-15 load crew team. The competition was measured by how quickly, safely and accurately the teams loaded an MK-82 and an AIM-9M to their respective aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Weapons load

Senior Airman Andrew Kim, of the 96th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, prepares an AIM-9M to be moved to an F-15 during a weapons load competition Oct. 19 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Kim and his team won the quarterly competition against an F-16 load crew team. The competition was measured by how quickly, safely and accurately the teams loaded an MK-82 and an AIM-9M to their respective aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

AFMC commander speaks at armament symposium

Gen. Janet Wolfenbarger, the Air Force Materiel Command commander, speaks to an audience of industry and government personnel at the Air Armament Symposium in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., Oct. 16. Wolfenbarger spoke about the state of her command and Eglin’s role within it at the 38th annual two-day symposium. Speakers from joint services and Air Force major commands shared the common thread of working together in a changing acquisition world. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

CSAF visits 33rd Fighter Wing

Staff Sgt. Skyler Deboer, of the 33rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, briefs Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III on the F-35A Lightning II during the general’s visit to the 33rd Fighter Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Oct. 16. During an immersion at the integrated training center for the fifth generation aircraft, Gen. Welsh said he considers the joint strike fighter mission and its future one of his top priorities so he wanted to see the operation and training firsthand. The 33rd Fighter Wing's unique environment is comprised of military, civilians and contractors at Eglin, who will train pilots and maintainers for all three variants of the F-35 for the Air Force, Navy and Marines. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

CSAF visits 33rd Fighter Wing

Tech. Sgt. Manley Eubanks, of the 33rd Maintenance Squadron, briefs Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III on the panels of the F-35A Lightning II during the general’s visit to the 33rd Fighter Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Oct. 16. During an immersion at the integrated training center for the fifth generation aircraft, Gen. Welsh said he considers the joint strike fighter mission and its future one of his top priorities so he wanted to see the operation and training firsthand. The 33rd Fighter Wing's unique environment is comprised of military, civilians and contractors at Eglin, who will train pilots and maintainers for all three variants of the F-35 for the Air Force, Navy and Marines. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

CSAF visits 33rd Fighter Wing

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III examines the helmet-mounted display system and flight suit used for the F-35A Lightning II with Col. Andrew Toth, 33rd Fighter Wing commander during his visit to the wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Oct. 16. During an immersion at the integrated training center for the fifth generation aircraft, Welsh said he considers the joint strike fighter mission and its future one of his top priorities so he wanted to see the operation and training firsthand. The 33rd Fighter Wing's unique environment is comprised of military, civilians and contractors at Eglin, who will train pilots and maintainers for all three variants of the F-35 for the Air Force, Navy and Marines. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Synthetic drugs continue to raise concern

Local county law enforcement continue to conduct search warrant raids on specialty shops that are selling controlled substances commonly known as “Spice” and “bath salts.”