Maintainers compete for load crew of year

Airman 1st Class Christopher Rose, of the 46th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, prepares the F-15 for the small diameter bomb load Jan. 13 during the 46th Maintenance Group's year-end weapons load competition at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The best of the best from 46th AMXS met to load a Joint Direct Attack Munition and AIM-9 and a SDB onto an F-15. The winners will be announced at the 46th MXG annual awards banquet in March. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Maintainers compete for load crew of year

The Load Crew of the Year trophy awaits the winners of the 46th Maintenance Group's year-end weapons load competition. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Maintainers compete for load crew of year

Staff Sgt. Kenneth Merritt, a 46th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew leader, checks the placement of the AIM-9 while Airman 1st Class Christopher Rose keeps the weapon still Jan. 13 during the 46th Maintenance Group's year-end weapons load competition at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The best of the best from 46th AMXS met to load a Joint Direct Attack Munition and AIM-9 and a small diameter bomb onto an F-15. The winners will be announced at the 46th MXG annual awards banquet in March. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Maintainers compete for load crew of year

Airman 1st Class Mark Blinn, of the 46th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, removes the straps from the AIM-9 Jan. 13 during the 46th Maintenance Group's year-end weapons load competition at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The best of the best from 46th AMXS met to load a Joint Direct Attack Munition and AIM-9 and a small diameter bomb onto an F-15. The winners will be announced at the 46th MXG annual awards banquet in March. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Maintainers compete for load crew of year

Staff Sgt. Anthony Childers, a 46th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew leader, guides his loader carrying a small diameter bomb into position during the 46th Maintenance Group’s year-end weapons load competition at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Jan. 13. The best of the best from 46th AMXS met to load a Joint Direct Attack Munition and AIM-9 and a SDB onto an F-15. The winners will be announced at the 46th MXG annual awards banquet in March. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Maintainers compete for load crew of year

Staff Sgt. Anthony Childers, a 46th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew leader, secures the AIM-9 missile before moving it to the F-15 during the 46th Maintenance Group’s year-end weapons load competition at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Jan 13. The best of the best from 46th AMXS met to load a Joint Direct Attack Munition and AIM-9 and a small diameter bomb onto an F-15. The winners will be announced at the 46th MXG annual awards banquet in March. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Chilled out

Almost 30 people braved the 45 degree morning temperatures, fog and even colder waters of the Choctawhatchee Bay during Eglin’s second annual Polar Bear swim, held at Post’l Point, Jan. 6. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Into the breach

Almost 30 people rush into the chilly waters of Choctawhatchee Bay during Eglin’s second annual Polar Bear swim, held at Post’l Point, Jan. 6. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Highlight of my career

Col. Sal Nodjomian, the 96th Air Base Wing commander, salutes the new Airmen at the basic military training graduation parade at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. (Courtesy photo)

Running in the dark

Airmen run as a group around the east gate track Dec. 15 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The track is one of three available to anyone with access to the base. There are also nature trails and cross-country paths scattered throughout the base. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

SFS team

James Baker, the 96th Security Forces Squadron quarterback, scrambles out of the pocket toward a waiting Air Armament Center defender during the base intramural flag football championship game Dec. 15 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. SFS beat the Air Armament Center team 19-14 to claim the title. It had been three years since they’d been the champs. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

SFS team

Zerrick Haymond, a 96th Security Forces Squadron wide receiver, catches a pass at the goal line over Air Armament Center’s Jimmy Herold, during the base intramural flag football championship game Dec. 15 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. SFS beat the Air Armament Center team 19-14 to claim the title. It had been three years since they’d been the champs. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)