WASP

Anne Atkelson suited up and ready to fly an AT-6 Texan trainer. (Photo courtesy Air Armament Center History Office)

96th Air Base Wing annual award winners selected

Attendees enjoy their dinner at the 96th Air Base Wing's 2007 annual banquet and awards ceremony. The event was held at the Officers' Club on Feb. 29.

Escorts ensure OPSEC

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Airmen 1st Class Jordan Malfoy and Iris Lopez radio in a head count to the 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron escort flight supervisors at a construction site here. The 154 third country national escorts here ensure accountability for every foreign employee on base and provide operational security for the wing. Airman Malfoy is deployed from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and Airman Lopez is from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Carolyn Viss)

Commander?s Hunt bags "bucks" for the Air Force Enlisted Village

Maj. Gen. David Eidsaune, Program Executive Officer for Weapons and Air Armament Center Commander, Justin Johnson, Eglin Air Force Base Natural Resources Branch; and Jim Binnicker, Air Force Enlisted Village president and CEO, pose with a check for $6,568 presented to the AFEV from proceeds raised during the 2008 Commander?s Hunt at Eglin Air Force Base.

Best in the Air Force

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Master Sgt. Melissa L. Gee, 96th Medical Operations Squadron NCO in charge of pulmonary diagnostics, conducts a lung capacity test on Senior Airman Yung Kim. Sergeant Gee was recently awarded the U.S. Air Force John Salustro Memorial Award for Cardiopulmonary Excellence. Among her many accomplishments, she procured the region's sole cauterizing bronchoscopy machine, helping stop life threatening lung bleeds in three patients. Sergeant Gee graduated with an associates degree in Cardiopulmonary Laboratory Science and is working toward a bachelors degree in Health Sciences. She is an active member in a local Parent Teacher Association and participated in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

Best in the Air Force

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Master Sgt. Melissa L. Gee, 96th Medical Operations Squadron NCO in charge pulmonary diagnostic, conducts a lung capacity test on Senior Airman Yung Kim. Sergeant Gee was recently awarded the U.S .Air Force John Salustro Memorial Award for Cardiopulmonary Excellence. Among her many accomplishments, she procured the region?s sole cauterizing bronchoscopy machine, helping stop life threatening lung bleeds in three patients. Sergeant Gee graduated with an associates degree in Cardiopulmonary Laboratory Science and is working toward a bachelors degree in Health Sciences. She is an active member in a local Parent Teacher Association and participated in the American Cancer Society?s Relay for Life event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

Seeing the big picture

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Staff Sgt. Cristian R. Martinez, 96th Surgical Operations Squadron Optometry Clinic NCO in charge, assists Capt. Thomas Dahl, an ophthalmologist, during an examination of a patient in the Optometry Clinic. Sergeant Martinez was recently named the U.S. Air Force Col. Donald D. Dunton Award as Ophthalmic NCO of the Year. He was selected by the Eglin Chief Master Sergeants as a "Sharp Troop" for superior service and professionalism. Among his accomplishments, Sergeant Martinez revamped the Optometry Clinic by doubling available appointments and reducing wait times by 47 percent. He was also able to eliminate referrals to downtown medical providers. He is currently seeking a bachelor's degree in business management. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

Seeing the big picture

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Staff Sgt. Cristian R. Martinez, 96th Surgical Operations Squadron Optometry Clinic NCO in charge, assists Capt. Thomas Dahl, an ophthalmologist, during an examination of a patient in the Optometry Clinic. Sergeant Martinez was recently named the U.S. Air Force Col. Donald D. Dunton Award as Ophthalmic NCO of the Year. He was selected by the Eglin Chief Master Sergeants as a "Sharp Troop" for superior service and professionalism. Among his accomplishments, Sergeant Martinez revamped the Optometry Clinic by doubling available appointments and reducing wait times by 47 percent. He was also able to eliminate referrals to downtown medical providers. He is currently seeking a bachelor's degree in business management. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

Eyes on the award

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Senior Master Sgt. Erik D. Kessler, 96th Surgical Operations Squadron Surgical Specialty Flight Chief, assists an ophthalmologist during an examination of a patient in the Optometry Clinic. Sergeant Kessler was recently awarded the U.S. Air Force Col. Donald D. Dunton Award for his role in overseeing five clinics and 67 staff members. Sergeant Kessler is also the Top 3 president, an organization of senior enlisted Airmen at Eglin. Among his many accomplishments, Sergeant Kessler earned his third Community College of the Air Force Associate of Applied Science degree and is working toward a bachelor's degree in management. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

Best in the Air Force

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Maj. Stacey L. Coleman, 96th Medical Operations Squadron emergency services clinical nurse, checks the pupils of a patient in the emergency room. Major Coleman was named the U.S. Air Force Critical Care Emergency Nurse of the Year for her dedication at Eglin and while deployed to Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. While deployed, she provided critical care to more than 2,200 U.S. personnel and Afghani civilians. She was instrumental in expediting helicopter transport for a child with a skull fracture. At Eglin, she was a member of the hurricane ride-out team and a key planner for the 2007 Eglin Air Show. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

Best in the Air Force

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Capt. Bryan D. Bonzo, 96th Medical Operations Squadron physical therapist, was recently awarded the U.S. Air Force Company Grade Physical Therapist Award for his support at Eglin and while deployed to Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. Captain Bonzo was instrumental in treating more than 100 Afghani civilians, police and army personnel. He is pursuing a doctorate in physical therapy from Saint Augustine University. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

Valentines for Vets

Col. Eric Pohland, 96th Air Base Wing commander, visits with Charles and Mernie Mundy during Eglin's Valentines for Vets event at the Westwood Retirement Resort Feb. 14. The Mundys celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary on Valentines Day. (Photo by Tech. Sgt. Brian Jones)