Down range

Airman 1st Class Freund, aims his M249 downrange after a simulated vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated at their entry control point 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. ECP guards experienced random vehicle inspections, media visits and VBIEDs during posted shifts. GCTS instructors push 10 training classes a year, which consists of IED 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 six major commands attended this training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Break time

An Airman enjoys a snack while pulling a shift in one of the many towers posted along the perimeter of Base Tango during an exercise April 28 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The exercise was part of Air Force Materiel Command’s "Brave Defender" training, which is administered by the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron. ECP guards experienced random vehicle inspections, media visits and VBIEDs during posted shifts. GCTS instructors push 10 training classes a year, which consists of IED 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.)

Alert

Airman 1st Class Mullins and other security forces Airmen went on high alert after a simulated vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated at their entry control point 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. ECP guards experienced random vehicle inspections, media visits and VBIEDs during posted shifts. 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 12 locations attended this training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Check 6

Airman 1st Class Matthew Bisson, 375th Security Forces Squadron, clears his six o’clock as his Rapid Recovery Team returns to base during an exercise April 28 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Airman Bisson’s team was dispatched to check the area after a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated at their entry control point. This was part of Air Force Materiel Command’s "Brave Defender" training, which is administered by the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron. ECP guards experienced random vehicle inspections, media visits and VBIEDs during posted shifts. GCTS instructors push 10 training classes a year, which consists of IED 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 six major commands attended this training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Line of sight

A security forces Airman watches and waits as her squad regroups and debriefs 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 12 locations attended this training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Within reach

A security forces Airman waits in the turret seat of a humvee to roll out on a ‘mounted’ vehicle mission outside the wire 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. 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 six major commands attended this training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Meeting the locals

A villager offers his wares to a security forces Airman on a simulated counter-insurgency mission April 27 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Squads of security forces Airmen were sent into simulated villages to mingle with locals, gather intelligence and familiarize themselves with their surroundings. 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 six major commands attended this training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Look out below

Senior Airman Chris Croft, 82nd Security Forces Squadron, uses a mirror to check underneath a truck during a vehicle inspection at the entry control point during an exercise April 27 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. ECP guards experienced random vehicle inspections, media visits and vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices during posted shifts. GCTS instructors push 10 training classes a year, which consists of IED 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 12 locations attended this training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Entry control

An Airman aims his M249 at the vehicle trying to enter the entry control point during an exercise April 27 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. ECP guards experienced random vehicle inspections, media visits and vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices during posted shifts. GCTS instructors push 10 training classes a year, which consists of IED 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 12 locations attended this training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Point & shoot

Maj. Justin Oldt, 99th Mission Support Group, takes position in a line of security forces Airmen on patrol April 27 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. More than 140 Airmen from more than 12 locations attended this training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Leader of the pack

Maj. Justin Oldt, 99th Mission Support Group, leads the way during a simulated counter-insurgency mission April 27 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Squads of security forces Airmen were sent into simulated villages to mingle with locals, gather intelligence and familiarize themselves with their surroundings. 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. More than 140 Airmen from more than 12 locations attended this training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Walkabout

A squad of security forces Airmen patrol the forests ‘outside the wire’ during simulated mission April 27 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.More than 140 Airmen from more than 12 locations attended this training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

COIN op

A squad of security forces Airmen passes through a simulated village on a counter-insurgency mission April 27 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. More than 140 Airmen from more than 12 locations attended 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. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Easter at the White House

Kaiden Casey, 8, participates in a children's activity during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll April 25. The First Family hosted 30,000 people from all 50 states in their backyard for the 133rd White House Easter Egg Roll and once again Eglin was on their invite list. (Courtesy photo)

Combat truckers

Senior Airman Michelle Wamsley, 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron, stands by her vehicle during her recent deployment in 2010. When they deploy, Eglin’s vehicle operators shift gears from bus drivers and dispatchers to “combat truckers” hauling critical cargo in convoys to and from Iraq. (Courtesy photo)

Combat truckers

Staff Sgt. Jacob Sutton, 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron, stands by his vehicle during his recent deployment in 2010. When they deploy, Eglin’s vehicle operators shift gears from bus drivers and dispatchers to “combat truckers” hauling critical cargo in convoys to and from Iraq. (Courtesy photo)

Last exit

Officer Tracy McDaniel, 96th Security Forces Squadron, escorts a “suspect” out of the dining facility after a stand-off during an active shooter exercise at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., April 20. Security Forces personnel entered the facility where two “shooters” were holding hostages. They quickly subdued or killed the “shooters” and evacuated the hostages. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Bringing out the bad guy

Security Forces personnel exit the kitchen area of the dining facility with a “suspect after a stand-off during an active shooter exercise at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., April 20. Security Forces personnel entered the facility where two “shooters” were holding hostages. They quickly subdued or killed the “shooters” and evacuated the hostages. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

On call

Mark Merrill, 96th Civil Engineer Squadron, listens to instructions from the operations center during a simulated chemical agent/suspicious package exercise April 19 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Firefighters, security forces and emergency personnel responded to the incident and the building was evacuated and cordoned during the exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Emergency Airman

Staff Sgt. Vimari Tynes, 96th Medical Group, questions the quarantined victims during a simulated chemical agent/suspicious package exercise April 19 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Firefighters, security forces and emergency personnel responded to the incident and the building was evacuated and cordoned during the exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Discovery

Firefighters discover victims during a simulated chemical agent/suspicious package exercise April 19 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Firefighters, security forces and emergency personnel responded to the incident and the building was evacuated and cordoned during the exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Through the mist

Justin Curtis, 96th Civil Engineer Squadron, calls for emergency personnel as victims exit the decontamination area during a simulated chemical agent/suspicious package exercise April 19 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Firefighters, security forces and emergency personnel responded to the incident and the building was evacuated and cordoned during the exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Down & out

Staff Sgt. Eric Garza, 10th Security Forces Squadron, subdues a suspect during a Fly Away Security Team training session April 14 at Eglin Air Force Base. The course, taught by 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron instructors, brought together security forces Airmen from all over the U.S. to learn how to protect aircraft and handle potential hostile situations. (US. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Standing guard

Senior Airman Bobby Brown, 375th Security Forces Squadron, waits by a C-130 for the next scenario to begin during the Fly Away Security Team training session April 14 at Eglin Air Force Base. The course, taught by 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron instructors, brought together security forces Airmen from all over the U.S. to learn how to protect aircraft and handle potential hostile situations. (US. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)