Violence in Iraq is down, just ask EMEDS

KIRKUK REGIONAL AIR BASE, Iraq – Staff Sgt. Joseph Jenkins, 321st Expeditionary Medical Squadron medical lab technician, prepares a blood sample for analysis May 11. The 321st EMEDS is the principal surgical unit for American forces in all of northern Iraq, treating military and civilian patients alike. Sergeant Jenkins, originally from Bloomington, Minn., is deployed from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (U.S. photo by Tech. Sgt. Randy Redman)

Violence in Iraq is down, just ask EMEDS

KIRKUK REGIONAL AIR BASE, Iraq – Tech. Sgt. Eric Person, 321st Expeditionary Medical Squadron radiology technician, uses a portable X-ray machine on a patient May 11. The 321st EMEDS is the principal surgical unit for American forces in all of northern Iraq, treating military and civilian patients alike. Sergeant Person, originally from Phenix City, Ala., is deployed from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (U.S. photo by Tech. Sgt. Randy Redman)

Airman prepares for mountain marathon in dusty desert

Staff Sgt. Joseph Ritter, 22nd Expeditionary Weather Squadron Detachment 3, runs sprints May 11, 2010, at Forward Operating Base Diamondback, Iraq, in preparation for a 13.1 mile race. The Plattsburg, Mo., native is training to run a half-marathon in Missoula, Mont. Sergeant Ritter is deployed from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. R. Michael Longoria)

End of day

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy (middle left) and members of the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron, salute the flag during retreat May 6 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The chief toured the squadron’s training facilities and experienced hands-on demonstrations like firing weapons and driving a humvee in a village with simulated improvised explosive devices. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Gearing up

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy dons his helmet before taking a ride in the humvee roll-over simulator during his tour of the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron’s training area at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., May 6. During the simulation, the chief flipped three times before the vehicle stopped. Then he and his team had to climb out while the vehicle was still upside down. The chief also received other hands-on “Brave Defender” experience with the 96th GCTS, firing weapons, watching demonstrations and driving a humvee through a village with simulated improvised explosive devices. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

The village

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy exits one of the houses in a simulated village during his tour of the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron’s training area at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., May 6. The chief received a hands-on “Brave Defender” experience with the 96th GCTS, firing weapons, watching demonstrations and driving a humvee through a village with simulated improvised explosive devices. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Latest & greatest

Staff Sgt. Ivan Morscher, 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron, briefs Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy on a specially equipped M-4 during his tour of the squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., May 6. The chief received a hands-on “Brave Defender” experience with the 96th GCTS, firing weapons, watching demonstrations and driving a humvee through a village with simulated improvised explosive devices. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Airman interaction

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy speaks to Staff Sgt. Ivan Morscher and other 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron Airmen during his tour of their training area at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., May 6. The chief received a hands-on “Brave Defender” experience with the 96th GCTS, firing weapons, watching demonstrations and driving a humvee through a village with simulated improvised explosive devices. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Ground Combat

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Master Sgt. Todd Coning, 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron, briefs Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy on the squadron’s mission and particular scenarios taught by its instructors at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., May 6. The chief received a hands-on “Brave Defender” experience with the 96th GCTS, firing weapons, watching demonstrations and driving a humvee through a village with simulated improvised explosive devices. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Aim high

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy sights in his target with a specially equipped M-4 rifle at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., May 6. Checking out the newest weaponry was part of the chief’s tour of the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron. The chief took part in “Brave Defender” interactive tour firing weapons, watching demonstrations and driving a humvee through a village with simulated improvised explosive devices. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

On target

A technical sergeant watches and waits for word from his scouting team during an ‘outside the wire’ exercise April 28 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. This was part of Air Force Materiel Command’s "Brave Defender" training, which is administered by the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron. The goal for their exercise was to use land navigation techniques to find a weapons cache based on the intelligence they were given. GCTS instructors push 10 training classes a year, which consists of improvised explosive device detection and reaction, operating in an urban environment, mission planning, land navigation and casualty care. The three-week training culminates with a three-day field training exercise where the Airmen apply what they learned in combat scenarios. More than 140 Airmen from more than 10 locations attended this training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

HVT

Maj. Justin Oldt, 99th Mission Support Group, asks a suspect about a high value target his squad has been looking for during an exercise April 29 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. This was part of Air Force Materiel Command’s "Brave Defender" training, which is administered by the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron. GCTS instructors push 10 training classes a year, which consists of improvised explosive device detection and reaction, operating in an urban environment, mission planning, land navigation and casualty care. The three-week training culminates with a three-day field training exercise where the Airmen apply what they learned in combat scenarios. More than 140 Airmen from more than 10 locations attended this training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Shadow Airmen

Security Forces Airmen watch as others move toward a building during a raid on a village as part of an exercise April 29 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Based on intelligence gathered, two squads entered the village in search of a high value target. This was part of Air Force Materiel Command’s "Brave Defender" training, which is administered by the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron. GCTS instructors push 10 training classes a year, which consists of improvised explosive device detection and reaction, operating in an urban environment, mission planning, land navigation and casualty care. The three-week training culminates with a three-day field training exercise where the Airmen apply what they learned in combat scenarios. More than 140 Airmen from more than 10 locations attended this training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Up and over

Airmen go through a window to gain entry into a building during a raid on a village as part of an exercise April 29 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Based on intelligence gathered, two squads entered the village in search of a high value target. This was part of Air Force Materiel Command’s "Brave Defender" training, which is administered by the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron. GCTS instructors push 10 training classes a year, which consists of improvised explosive device detection and reaction, operating in an urban environment, mission planning, land navigation and casualty care. The three-week training culminates with a three-day field training exercise where the Airmen apply what they learned in combat scenarios. More than 140 Airmen from more than 10 locations attended this training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

HVT

Senior Airman Benjamin Thompson, 375th Security Forces Squadron, watches the interrogation of suspects during a vehicle stop as part of an exercise April 29 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. This was part of Air Force Materiel Command’s "Brave Defender" training, which is administered by the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron. GCTS instructors push 10 training classes a year, which consists of improvised explosive device detection and reaction, operating in an urban environment, mission planning, land navigation and casualty care. The three-week training culminates with a three-day field training exercise where the Airmen apply what they learned in combat scenarios. More than 140 Airmen from more than 10 locations attended this training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Buddy care

Airmen drag their “wounded” teammate to safety after she was hit in a firefight during a raid on a village as part of an exercise April 29 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Based on intelligence gathered, two squads entered the village in search of a high value target. This was part of Air Force Materiel Command’s "Brave Defender" training, which is administered by the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron. GCTS instructors push 10 training classes a year, which consists of improvised explosive device detection and reaction, operating in an urban environment, mission planning, land navigation and casualty care. The three-week training culminates with a three-day field training exercise where the Airmen apply what they learned in combat scenarios. More than 140 Airmen from more than 10 locations attended this training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

The stare

Senior Airman Bobby Mullinnix, 82nd Security Forces Squadron, watches a suspicious vehicle during a “mounted” patrol mission April 29 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. This was part of Air Force Materiel Command’s "Brave Defender" training, which is administered by the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron. Teams of Airmen experienced both mounted (vehicle) and dismounted (foot) patrols through the forests and simulated villages around their base. GCTS instructors push 10 training classes a year, which consists of improvised explosive device detection and reaction, operating in an urban environment, mission planning, land navigation and casualty care. The three-week training culminates with a three-day field training exercise where the Airmen apply what they learned in combat scenarios. More than 140 Airmen from more than 10 locations attended this training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Game plan

Tech. Sgt. Jaime Correa, 17th Security Forces Squadron, briefs his squad on the plan to assault a village after an attack on their base April 29 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Based on intelligence gathered, two squads entered the village in search of a high value target. This was part of Air Force Materiel Command’s "Brave Defender" training, which is administered by the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron. GCTS instructors push 10 training classes a year, which consists of improvised explosive device detection and reaction, operating in an urban environment, mission planning, land navigation and casualty care. The three-week training culminates with a three-day field training exercise where the Airmen apply what they learned in combat scenarios. More than 140 Airmen from more than 10 locations attended this training. Sergeant Correa won the Lt. Joseph Helton Leadership Award the following day at graduation. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Attack!

A security forces Airman moves to a better position as enemy forces enter the base as part of an exercise April 29 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. This was part of Air Force Materiel Command’s "Brave Defender" training, which is administered by the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron. GCTS instructors push 10 training classes a year, which consists of improvised explosive device detection and reaction, operating in an urban environment, mission planning, land navigation and casualty care. The three-week training culminates with a three-day field training exercise where the Airmen apply what they learned in combat scenarios. More than 140 Airmen from more than 10 locations attended this training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Burst

Tech. Sgt. Paul Rubusch returns fire as “simulated” enemies storm the base and move closer to the command center as part of an exercise April 29 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. This was part of Air Force Materiel Command’s "Brave Defender" training, which is administered by the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron. GCTS instructors push 10 training classes a year, which consists of improvised explosive device detection and reaction, operating in an urban environment, mission planning, land navigation and casualty care. The three-week training culminates with a three-day field training exercise where the Airmen apply what they learned in combat scenarios. More than 140 Airmen from more than 10 locations attended this training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

In the weeds

A security forces Airman moves through thick brush during a patrol after a “simulated” attack on their base as part of an exercise April 29 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. This was part of Air Force Materiel Command’s "Brave Defender" training, which is administered by the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron. GCTS instructors push 10 training classes a year, which consists of improvised explosive device detection and reaction, operating in an urban environment, mission planning, land navigation and casualty care. The three-week training culminates with a three-day field training exercise where the Airmen apply what they learned in combat scenarios. More than 140 Airmen from more than 10 locations attended this training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Surpressing fire

Senior Airman Benjamin Thompson, 375th Security Forces Squadron, opens fire as he moves away from the building during a raid exercise on a village April 29 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Based on intelligence gathered, two squads entered the village in search of a high value target. This was part of Air Force Materiel Command’s "Brave Defender" training, which is administered by the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron. GCTS instructors push 10 training classes a year, which consists of improvised explosive device detection and reaction, operating in an urban environment, mission planning, land navigation and casualty care. The three-week training culminates with a three-day field training exercise where the Airmen apply what they learned in combat scenarios. More than 140 Airmen from more than 10 locations attended this training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Field of fire

A technical sergeant watches and waits for word from his scouting team during an ‘outside the wire’ exercise April 28 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. This was part of Air Force Materiel Command’s "Brave Defender" training, which is administered by the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron. The goal for their exercise was to use land navigation techniques to find a weapons cache based on the intelligence they were given. GCTS instructors push 10 training classes a year, which consists of improvised explosive device detection and reaction, operating in an urban environment, mission planning, land navigation and casualty care. The three-week training culminates with a three-day field training exercise where the Airmen apply what they learned in combat scenarios. More than 140 Airmen from more than 10 locations attended this training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

To get to the other side

Senior Airman Devin Tiger, 72nd Security Forces Squadron, cautiously crosses a trail in the forest during a scouting mission as part of an exercise April 28 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. This was part of Air Force Materiel Command’s "Brave Defender" training, which is administered by the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron. The goal for their exercise was to use land navigation techniques to find a weapons cache based on the intelligence they were given. GCTS instructors push 10 training classes a year, which consists of improvised explosive device detection and reaction, operating in an urban environment, mission planning, land navigation and casualty care. The three-week training culminates with a three-day field training exercise where the Airmen apply what they learned in combat scenarios. More than 140 Airmen from more than 10 locations attended this training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)