Purple People

Team Eglin commuters entering and exiting the base may notice purple figures around the base. The exhibits were placed at both gates and the commissary by Family Advocacy for Domestic Violence awareness month. The three free-standing, life-sized figures are a variation on the Silent Witness project, established in 1991 and honors those who died as a result of domestic violence. The purple people will greet commuters throughout October. (U.S. Air Force photo/Sam King Jr.)

A helping hand

A 53rd Wing honorary commander gets help pulling himself out of a parachute during water survival training at Post’l Point, Sept. 28. Designed for training pilots in the use of water survival equipment after an ejection over the sea or an emergency landing, the exercises provide an interactive environment for community members to work with Airmen. The honorary commander program pairs civic leaders and wing leadership together to exchange ideas and educate civilians about Air Force life. (U.S. Air Force photo/Randy Gon)

Water survival training

Kevin Tingle, the 29th Test Systems Squadron honorary commander, receives safety instructions from Airmen during water survival training at Post’l Point, Sept. 26. Designed for training pilots in the use of water survival equipment after an ejection over the sea or an emergency landing, the exercises provide an interactive environment for community members to work with Airmen. The honorary commander program pairs civic leaders and wing leadership together to exchange ideas and educate civilians about Air Force life. The 53rd Wing currently has 11 honorary commanders. (U.S. Air Force photo/Randy Gon)

Towing the line

Dr. Eric Goldberg, the 513th Electronic Warfare Squadron honorary commander, is towed away from shore to simulate being drug by a parachute after a water landing during water survival training at Post’l Point, Sept. 28. Designed for training pilots in the use of water survival equipment after an ejection over the sea or an emergency landing, the exercises provide an interactive environment for community members to work with Airmen. The honorary commander program pairs civic leaders and wing leadership together to exchange ideas and educate civilians about Air Force life. The 53rd Wing currently has 11 honorary commanders. (U.S. Air Force photo/Randy Gon)

Commander assistance

Lt. Col. Chad Fager, the 513 Electronic Warfare Squadron commander, assists his honorary commander, Dr. Eric Goldberg, during water survival training at Post’l Point, Sept. 28. Designed for training pilots in the use of water survival equipment after an ejection over the sea or an emergency landing, the exercises provide an interactive environment for community members to work with Airmen. The honorary commander program pairs civic leaders and wing leadership together to exchange ideas and educate civilians about Air Force life. The 53rd Wing currently has 11 honorary commanders. (U.S. Air Force photo/Randy Gon)

Aircraft security

Airman 1st Class Kirk Tate, of the 319th Security Forces Squadron, secures an enemy combatant during a Fly Away Security Team training session Sept. 17 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The course, taught by 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron instructors, brought together security forces Airmen from McConnell AFB, Kansas and Grand Forks AFB, N.D., to learn how to protect aircraft and handle a potential hostile situation. Tate was cut when the night vision goggle mount on his helmet hit the bridge of his nose while subduing a simulated enemy. (US. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Aircraft security

An Airman stands guard as simulated passengers board the aircraft during a Fly Away Security Team training session Sept. 17 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The course, taught by 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron instructors, brought together security forces Airmen from McConnell AFB, Kansas and Grand Forks AFB, N.D., to learn how to protect aircraft and handle a potential hostile situation. (US. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Aircraft security

Staff Sgt. Aaron Lathrop, of the 22nd Security Force Squadron (left) and Airman 1st Class Brandon Smith, of the 319th Security Forces Squadron, move in to take down an enemy combatant during a Fly Away Security Team training session Sept. 17 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The course, taught by 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron instructors, brought together security forces Airmen from McConnell AFB, Kansas and Grand Forks AFB, N.D., to learn how to protect aircraft and handle a potential hostile situation. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Combatives

Airman 1st Class Brandon Smith, of the 319th Security Forces Squadron, forces his opponent to submit during the “King of the Mat” competition at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Sept. 17. The competition is part of their “Brave Defender” deployment training. The Airmen take the skills and techniques learned during their combatives course and put them into practice against one another. The training is administered by the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron. More than 1,400 Airmen from across the Air Force attend the three-week courses each year. Smith went on to win the competition, never losing a match. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Combatives

Security Forces Airmen grapple for control during the “King of the Mat” competition at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Sept. 17. The competition is part of their “Brave Defender” deployment training. The Airmen take the skills and techniques learned during their combatives course and put them into practice against one another.The course, taught by 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron instructors, brought together security forces Airmen from McConnell AFB, Kansas and Grand Forks AFB, N.D., to learn how to protect aircraft and handle a potential hostile situation. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Combatives

Airman 1st Class Oscar Gomez-Villatoro, of the 319th Security Forces Squadron, puts his opponent in a choke hold during the “King of the Mat” competition at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Sept. 17. The competition is part of their “Brave Defender” deployment training. The Airmen take the skills and techniques learned during their combatives course and put them into practice against one another. The training is administered by the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron. More than 1,400 Airmen from across the Air Force attend the three-week courses each year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Combatives

Security Forces Airmen grapple for control during a “King of the Mat” competition training at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Sept. 17. The Airmen take the skills and techniques learned during their combatives course and put them into practice against one another as part of their “Brave Defender” deployment training. The training is administered by the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron. More than 1,400 Airmen from across the Air Force attend the three-week courses each year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)