Valentines for Vets

Staff Sgt. Travis Kirkpatrick, 46th Maintenance Squadron, shares stories with Col. (Ret.) Thomas Sterling during a Valentines for Vets visit to the Westwood Retirement Resort Feb. 14. More than 50 Eglin Airmen visited local veterans at four retirement facilities on Valentines Day. (Photo by Tech. Sgt. Brian Jones)

Valentines for Vets

Master Sgt. James Pons-Santiago, 46th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, speaks with Henry Christensen during a Valentines for Vets visit to the Westwood Retirement Resort Feb. 14. More than 50 Eglin Airmen visited local veterans at four retirement facilities on Valentines Day. (Photo by Tech. Sgt. Brian Jones)

Portrait

KABUL, Afghanistan ? An Afghan girl clings to her mother as a riot breaks out at an internally displaced persons camp when a food truck arrives with rice, tea and other goods. The Afghan National Army escorted the joint military forces who delivered the goods to the IDP camp and ordered the people to line up against the walls of their bombed out shelters. The people were starving and this was the first delivery from Food Aid since terrorists attacked a military convoy to the camp a year ago.

?A turn for the good?

KABUL, Afghanistan -- Maj. Michael Walters, an Airman filling an in-lieu-of position for the Army, plays with an Afghan child during a volunteer community relations trip to the Dar ul Aman displaced persons camp. The camp is located on the outskirts of Kabul and hosts more than 100 families living in a bombed out apartment high-rise. The VCR trips allow servicemembers to team up with international food organizations to deliver rice, tea and clothing among other goods.

13 WSEP

Crew Chief Staff Sgt. Pablo Jimenez, 13th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, talks with Capt. Eric Freienmuth, 13th Fighter Squadron, before his flight Feb. 5 at Eglin Air Force Base Fla. The captain’s mission is part of the squadron’s Weapon Systems Evaluation Program commonly known as Combat Hammer. During the mission, he will perform a scenario and fire a AGM-65, which will be recorded and analyzed by the 86th Fighter Weapons Squadron. The data received will show if the weapon is firing properly and how the mission could be improved. U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Carrie Kessler.

13 WSEP

Crew Chief Staff Sgt. Pablo Jimenez, 13th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, talks with Capt. Eric Freienmuth, 13th Fighter Squadron, before his flight Feb. 5 at Eglin Air Force Base Fla. The captain’s mission is part of the squadron’s Weapon Systems Evaluation Program commonly known as Combat Hammer. During the mission, he will perform a scenario and fire a AGM-65, which will be recorded and analyzed by the 86th Fighter Weapons Squadron. The data received will show if the weapon is firing properly and how the mission could be improved. U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Carrie Kessler.

Keeping it moving

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan – Tech. Sgt. Marygail Harmon, noncommissioned officer in charge of medical material at the Craig Joint Theater Hospital here, stocks supplies in the logistics store room Feb. 5. Harmon's home unit is the 96th Medical Support Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., where she is a medical supply technician. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Demetrius Lester)

Commander visits Eglin

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Lynda Rutledge, director of the 708th Armament Systems Group, discusses the Joint Attack Direct Munition's Quick Reaction Capability program with General Bruce Carlson, Air Force Materiel Command commander. The Laser sensor will fit on the front of the weapon, adding the capability to attack moving targets. General Carlson visited Eglin Jan. 31. (USAF photo by Craig McDonnell)

Gaining ground

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Erick Andujar, a guard for 96 COMM, dribbles past Ramoane Jordan, small forward for 96 MDG, during the 2007 Intramural Basketball Championship Jan. 28 here. The 96 COMM team emerged victorious, 53-48. (Photo by Greg Murray)

STEP promotion

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Col. Eric Pohland, 96th Air Base Wing commander, presents a Stripes for Exceptional Performers promotion to Tech. Sgt. Christopher Dowing, 96th Communications Squadron NCOIC of boundary protection, Jan. 17. Colonel Pohland was assisted by Maj. Gen. William Lord, Air Force Cyberspace commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Troy Engholm, 96th ABW command chief master sergeant. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Kristin M. Russell)

STEPing up to the challenge

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, FLa. -- Col. Eric Pohland, 96th Air Base Wing commander, surprises Staff Sgt. Jodie Lucas, 796th Civil Engineer Squadron carpenter, with a Stripes for Exceptional Performers promotion to technical sergeant Jan. 17 during a mandatory monthly formation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Josie Stewart)

Outstanding Performer

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Master Sgt. Sarah Wilson, 40th Flight Test Squadron aviation resource manager, assists Senior Airman Annette Hansen, with some paperwork. Sergeant Wilson received a surprise Stripes for Exceptional Performers promotion from Col. Gary Plumb, 46th Test Wing Commander Jan. 11. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. LuCelia Ball)