Industrial strength water pistol

Six-year-old Andy Hitt and his 3-year-old brother Alex, sons of Senior Master Sgt. Kevin Hitt, Air Armament Center, watch as the water cannon hoses down the flightline June 24 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Andy was recognized by the base fire department for saving his brother Alex from drowning in March. As part of his recognition, he was made an honorary firefighter, sat in a fire engine and fired the water cannon as well. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Inside the beast

Six-year-old Andy Hitt and his 3-year-old brother Alex, sons of Senior Master Sgt. Kevin Hitt, Air Armament Center, marvel at the inside of a fire engine June 24 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Andy was recognized by the base fire department for saving his brother Alex from drowning in March. As part of his recognition, he was made an honorary firefighter, sat in a fire engine and fired the water cannon. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Stepping out

Senior Airman Elton Davis, guidon bearer for Falcon Flight, leads a flight of Airmen during drill practice at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Airman Davis, 96th Force Support Squadron, and 39 others were reintroduced to marching and drill while attending Eglin’s Airman Leadership School. ALS is a five-week-long Air Force program designed to develop Airmen into effective front-line supervisors. It is the first professional military education enlisted Air Force members encounter. Eglin's schoolhouse hosts seven ALS classes per year. Eglin was named Air Force Materiel Command's PME program of the year for 2009 and 2010. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Front of the line

Staff Sgt. Marcus Grimes, leader of Falcon Flight, marches with his fellow Airmen at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Sergeant Grimes, 96th Force Support Squadron, and 39 others were reintroduced to marching and drill while attending Eglin’s Airman Leadership School. ALS is a five-week-long Air Force program designed to develop Airmen into effective front-line supervisors. It is the first professional military education enlisted Air Force members encounter. Eglin's schoolhouse hosts seven ALS classes per year. Eglin was named Air Force Materiel Command's PME program of the year for 2009 and 2010. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Step in time

Airman Leadership School students put their best foot forward during drill practice at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. ALS is a five-week-long Air Force program designed to develop Airmen into effective front-line supervisors. It is the first professional military education enlisted Air Force members encounter. Eglin's schoolhouse hosts seven ALS classes per year. Eglin was named Air Force Materiel Command's PME program of the year for 2009 and 2010. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Back up

Rob Kidston, health fitness specialist at the Health and Wellness Center, instructs students during the "Healthy Backs" class at Eglin Air Force Base. Mr. Kidston recommended avoiding back injury by building stability through the spine with preventive exercises. Classes are monthly from 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. at the Fitness Annex, Bldg. 843. To find out exact dates or to sign-up, call 883-8022. (U.S. Air Force photo/Randy Gon)

Spouses' discussion

Suzie Schwartz, wife of Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz, answers questions from deployed spouses at the Eglin Club at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., June 23, 2011. She discussed the various programs available for military spouses and emphasized participation from everyone for their continued success. (U.S. Air Force photo/Randy Gon)

Egress trainer

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz (middle) learns about the new improvements within the cockpit of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter June 23, 2011, at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The general visited the Khobar Towers memorial, 58th Fighter Squadron and the JSF Academic Training Center during his tour of the F-35’s new home, the 33rd Fighter Wing. The 33rd FW is a joint graduate flying and maintenance training wing for the F-35A, B, and C. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

CSAF visits Khobar Towers Memorial

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Col. Andrew Toth, 33rd Fighter Wing commander, walk to the flaming sword of the Khobar Towers Memorial two days prior to the 15th anniversary of the tragedy during a tour of the 33rd FW June 23, 2011, at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Nineteen Airmen—12 of whom were members of the 33rd FW—lost their lives in the bombing June 25, 1996. During a visit to Eglin, the general also visited the first F-35 squadron, the 58th Fighter Squadron, and the JSF Academic Training Center. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Talking engines with CSAF

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz (second from left) talks with Col. Andrew Toth, 33rd Fighter Wing commander (far left); Lt. Col. Michael Miles, 58th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander (second from right) and Staff Sgt. Michael Sanders, 58th AMXS (far right), about the Pratt and Whitney F-135 engine during a tour of the 33rd FW June 23, 2011, at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The F-135 is the engine used in the Air Force variant of the Joint Strike Fighter. The 33rd FW is a joint graduate flying and maintenance training wing for the F-35A, B, and C. During a visit to Eglin, the general visited the Khobar Towers memorial, 58th Fighter Squadron and the JSF Academic Training Center. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Cloud cover

Firefighters from Jackson Guard's fire management section fly over the wildfires in a Bell 206B Jet Ranger helicopter June 22. The helicopter can carry up to 100 gallons of water in the "Bambi" bucket and place water strategically and safely. The helicopter is contracted to support Eglin's Fire Management Program in both prescribed burning and fire suppression efforts. The wildfires burned more than 15 acres of forest and threatened homes and businesses, but due to firefighting efforts no structures were damaged. (U.S. Air Force photo/Roger Kennedy)

Too close

Firefighters from Jackson Guard's fire management section fly over the wildfires in a Bell 206B Jet Ranger helicopter June 22. The helicopter can carry up to 100 gallons of water in the "Bambi" bucket and place water strategically and safely. The helicopter is contracted to support Eglin's Fire Management Program in both prescribed burning and fire suppression efforts. The wildfires burned more than 15 acres of forest and threatened homes and businesses, but due to firefighting efforts no structures were damaged. (U.S. Air Force photo/Roger Kennedy)

Hot response

Firefighters from Eglin Fire Department and Jackson Guard work with the Ocean City/Wright and Fort Walton Beach Fire Departments to contain two urban-interface wildfires within the same vicinity on Eglin reservation, June 22. Northwest Florida is in the midst of a severe drought and is 15 inches below normal rainfall for the year. The wildfires burned more than 15 acres of forest and threatened homes and businesses, but due to firefighting efforts no structures were damaged. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Spaits)

Inspection blues

Staff Sgt. Lex Garlic, Airman Leadership School instructor, moves down a row of Airmen during his open ranks blues inspection of Talon Flight at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. ALS is a five-week-long Air Force program designed to develop Airmen into effective front-line supervisors. It is the first professional military education enlisted Air Force members encounter. Eglin's schoolhouse hosts seven ALS classes per year. Eglin was named Air Force Materiel Command's PME program of the year for 2009 and 2010. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Home stretch

Runners pass the final turn at this year’s “My First Tri” triathlon at Eglin Air Force Base Fla., June 18. Almost 350 people of all ages “tried” at the 12th annual event. The triathlon consists of a 200-meter swim, eight-mile bike ride, then a 2.5-mile run. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Iron woman

Billie Madero, age 80, packs up after yet another “My First Tri” triathlon at Eglin Air Force Base Fla., June 18. Almost 350 people of all ages “tried” at the 12th annual event. The triathlon consists of a 200-meter swim, eight-mile bike ride, then a 2.5-mile run. Madero, the oldest person to compete in the event, finished in one hour and 24 minutes. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Family "Tries"

Kaylee Bartlett, age 11, hydrates after completing the bike portion of race as her mom, Kathy, attaches her bib before the start of the last leg of this year’s “My First Tri” triathlon at Eglin Air Force Base Fla., June 18. Almost 350 people of all ages “tried” at the 12th annual event. The triathlon consists of a 200-meter swim, eight-mile bike ride, then a 2.5-mile run. Bartlett was 101st overall for first-time competitors and third in her age group at one hour and 16 minutes. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Ability not disability

Mary Newcomer, age 67, places her bike on a rack before beginning the run portion of this year’s “My First Tri” triathlon at Eglin Air Force Base Fla., June 18. Almost 350 people of all ages “tried” at the 12th annual event. The triathlon consists of a 200-meter swim, eight-mile bike ride, then a 2.5-mile run. Newcomer completed her 14th triathlon in an hour and 46 minutes. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

From shadow into light

A runner heads toward the finish with less than 100 yards to go at this year’s “My First Tri” triathlon at Eglin Air Force Base Fla., June 18. Almost 350 people of all ages “tried” at the 12th annual event. The triathlon consists of a 200-meter swim, eight-mile bike ride, then a 2.5-mile run. David Shearon finished with the best overall time - 39 minutes 24 seconds. Wendy Ewing had the best time for females with 47 minutes 39 seconds. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Transition point

Eric Snyder, age 67, moves toward the run portion after completing the bike ride at this year’s “My First Tri” triathlon at Eglin Air Force Base Fla., June 18. Almost 350 people of all ages “tried” at the 12th annual event. The triathlon consists of a 200-meter swim, eight-mile bike ride, then a 2.5-mile run. Snyder was 121st overall for alumni and first in his age group finishing at one hour and 12 minutes. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Game face

Jonathan Balent, age 13, pedals to the finish of the bike ride at this year’s “My First Tri” triathlon at Eglin Air Force Base Fla., June 18. Almost 350 people of all ages “tried” at the 12th annual event. The triathlon consists of a 200-meter swim, eight-mile bike ride, then a 2.5-mile run. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Speed

Tyler Hall heads toward the finish of the bike ride at this year’s “My First Tri” triathlon at Eglin Air Force Base Fla., June 18. Almost 350 people of all ages “tried” at the 12th annual event. The triathlon consists of a 200-meter swim, eight-mile bike ride, then a 2.5-mile run. Hall was ninth overall finishing at 44 minutes and 13 seconds. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Sight to see

A mother and daughter watch as bikes wiz by during this year’s “My First Tri” triathlon at Eglin Air Force Base Fla., June 18. Almost 350 people of all ages “tried” at the 12th annual event. The triathlon consists of a 200-meter swim, eight-mile bike ride, then a 2.5-mile run. David Shearon finished with the best overall time - 39 minutes 24 seconds. Wendy Ewing had the best time for females with 47 minutes 39 seconds. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Heading for home

A runner heads toward the finish with less than 100 yards to go at this year’s “My First Tri” triathlon at Eglin Air Force Base Fla., June 18. Almost 350 people of all ages “tried” at the 12th annual event. The triathlon consists of a 200-meter swim, eight-mile bike ride, then a 2.5-mile run. David Shearon finished with the best overall time - 39 minutes 24 seconds. Wendy Ewing had the best time for females with 47 minutes 39 seconds. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)