Not to worry

Senior Airman Jordan Hoover, 96th Test Wing Security Forces Squadron, whispers to his son McCoy before the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron’s demonstration during Operation Hero at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Oct. 20. The event, sponsored by the 96th Test Wing Airman and Family Readiness Center, teaches children the experiences their military family members go through during predeployment and while out in the field. (U.S. Air Force photo/Randy Gon)

Curious spectators

Mercedes Schattel, whose husband is with the 7th Special Forces Group, reassures her son, Ryan, during the loud explosions from the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron demonstration at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Oct. 20. Operation Hero, sponsored by the 96th Test Wing Airman and Family Readiness Center, teaches children the experiences their military family members go through during predeployment and while out in the field. (U.S. Air Force photo/Randy Gon)

Heroes inspect an F-15

A parent and group of children find shade under an F-15 Eagle during Operation Hero at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Oct. 20. More than 250 children registered for the event, sponsored by the 96th Test Wing Airman and Family Readiness Center. Operation Hero teaches children the experiences their military family members go through during predeployment and while out in the field. (U.S. Air Force photo/Randy Gon)

Smooth operator

Corbin Follmar watches his brother, Graedin, operate a station on board a static C-130 aircraft during Operation Hero at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Oct. 20. The boys' mother, Master Sgt. Erika Follmar, is assigned to the 96th Test Wing's staff agency. The event, sponsored by the 96th Test Wing Airman and Family Readiness Center, teaches children the experiences their military family members go through during predeployment and while out in the field. (U.S. Air Force photo/Randy Gon)

Sports talk

Matias Ferreira, a Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team player, talks to players from the Eglin Air Force Base joint military softball team over lunch at Legends restaurant, Oct. 22. The two teams will face off to raise awareness of the sacrifices and resilience of military members Nov. 3 at 5 p.m. at Morgan Sports Center in Destin, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Randy Gon)

Team introductions

Sue Merchant, the spouse of Maj. Gen. Kenneth Merchant, the Air Force Armament Directorate program executive officer, introduces Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team players to the Eglin Air Force Base joint military softball team at Legends restaurant, Oct. 22. The two teams will face off to raise awareness of the sacrifices and resilience of our military on Nov. 3rd at Morgan Sports Center in Destin, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Randy Gon)

Wrench-turner

Senior Airman Adrian Pamintuan, of the 96th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, loosens a bolt on an F-16 prior to mounting a bomb to the wing during a weapons load competition Oct. 19 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Pamintuan and his team competed in the quarterly competition against an F-15 load crew team. The competition was measured by how quickly, safely and accurately the teams loaded an MK-82 and an AIM-9M to their respective aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Weapons load

Staff Sgt. Carlos Rodriguez, of the 96th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, ensures the MK-82 is properly secured before moving it to an F-15 during a weapons load competition Oct. 19 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Rodriguez and his team won the quarterly competition against an F-16 load crew team. The competition was measured by how quickly, safely and accurately the teams loaded an MK-82 and an AIM-9M to their respective aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

CSAF visits 33rd Fighter Wing

Stanley Stevens of Pratt and Whitney talks to Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III about the F-135 engine used in the F-35 Lightning II during the general’s visit to the 33rd Fighter Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Oct. 16. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

CSAF visits 33rd Fighter Wing

Staff Sgt. Skyler Deboer, of the 33rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, briefs Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III on the F-35A Lightning II during the general’s visit to the 33rd Fighter Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Oct. 16. During an immersion at the integrated training center for the fifth generation aircraft, Gen. Welsh said he considers the joint strike fighter mission and its future one of his top priorities so he wanted to see the operation and training firsthand. The 33rd Fighter Wing's unique environment is comprised of military, civilians and contractors at Eglin, who will train pilots and maintainers for all three variants of the F-35 for the Air Force, Navy and Marines. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

CSAF visits 33rd Fighter Wing

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III examines the helmet used for the F-35A Lightning II joint strike fighter during his visit to the 33rd Fighter Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Oct. 16. The 33rd Fighter Wing's unique environment is comprised of military, civilians and contractors at Eglin, who will train pilots and maintainers for all three variants of the F-35 for the Air Force, Navy and Marines. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

CSAF visits 33rd Fighter Wing

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III examines the helmet-mounted display system and flight suit used for the F-35A Lightning II with Col. Andrew Toth, 33rd Fighter Wing commander during his visit to the wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Oct. 16. During an immersion at the integrated training center for the fifth generation aircraft, Welsh said he considers the joint strike fighter mission and its future one of his top priorities so he wanted to see the operation and training firsthand. The 33rd Fighter Wing's unique environment is comprised of military, civilians and contractors at Eglin, who will train pilots and maintainers for all three variants of the F-35 for the Air Force, Navy and Marines. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)