Combat historian

Dr. Chuck Merkel, 53rd Wing historian, waits for a helicopter ride to Zabul, Afghanistan during his six-month deployment. The doctor joined the 451st Expeditionary Wing, Kandahar Afghanistan, in September as a combat historian. Doctor Merkel also served as a helicopter pilot in the Army during the Vietnam War. (Courtesy photo.)

Deployed surgeon

Col. Michael Restey (left) helps his Forward Surgical Team with a procedure during his deployment to Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines. Colonel Restey, deployed from the 96th Medical Group, leads the five-person Air Force team. (Courtesy photo.)

Feeding the Fight

Left, Airman 1st Class Molly Holzem and Senior Airman Aja Blair, 379th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron, prepare holiday cookies for servicemembers, Dec. 23, 2009, in Southwest Asia. Airmen Holzem and Blair used a Holzem-family recipe to help those deployed during the holiday season feel more at home. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Robert Barney)

Col. Day

Col. (ret.) Bud Day, 30-year combat veteran and former prisoner of war, autographs his latest book after his talk to Eglin's Junior Force Council about the memoirs he penned. The council's overall mission to provide junior-level military members and civilians with professional and career development was acheived recently by reading several recommended publications. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ashley Wright)

Orange Men

The Air Force Research Lab won the base intramural championship game Dec. 16. AFRL won the game easily 26-6 against the 53rd Wing with sharp passing and a frustrating blitz defense. The AFRL team only had one loss all season. (Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Before the snap

Air Force Research Lab team quarterback, Brian Nagel calls for the ball as receivers line up for the play during the base championship against the 53rd Wing Dec. 16. AFRL won the game easily 26-6 with sharp passing and a frustrating blitz defense. The AFRL team only had one loss all season. (Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Scare tactics

Lucas “Psycho” Bennett, Air Force Research Lab defender, watches his offense move the football against the 53rd Wing team during the base intramural championship game Dec. 16. AFRL won the game easily 26-6 with sharp passing and a frustrating blitz defense. The AFRL team only had one loss all season. (Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Eglin carolers

Aline Rackley (right) and the Niceville High School choir Opus 1 sing Christmas carols to Eglin warriors at the dining facility Dec. 16. The 18-member, All-State choir has performed 24 times since Dec. 1. Eglin was just one of three concerts the choir performed Dec. 16. The choir consists of juniors and seniors and requires extensive tryouts to make the team. (Air Force photo/ Samuel King Jr.)

A walk with the family

Staff Sgt. Josiah Strecker, 96th Security Forces Squadron, walks with his family to the bag claim area upon returning from a deployment to Southwest Asia Dec. 16. Approximately 20 Security Forces Airmen returned. Security forces is one of the highest deployment-tasked career fields in the Air Force. (Air Force photo/ Samuel King Jr.)

Luggage detail

Security Forces Airmen pull bags upon returning from a deployment to Southwest Asia Dec. 16. Approximately 20 Security Forces Airmen returned. Security forces is one of the highest deployment-tasked career fields in the Air Force. (Air Force photo/ Samuel King Jr.)

At last

Senior Airman Michael Thompson, 96th Security Forces Squadron, greets fiancée Shannon Kelly upon returning from a deployment to Southwest Asia Dec. 16. Approximately 20 Security Forces Airmen returned. Security forces is one of the highest deployment tasked career fields in the Air Force. (Air Force photo/ Samuel King Jr.)

Remember our Warrirors

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - Chief Master Sgt. Thomas Westermeyer, Command Chief, reminds people to remember our Team Eglin Warriors who are deployed during the holidays. As we enjoy this holiday season, let's remember that our family extends beyond those in our homes. Airmen united to build a tent in front of the Officers' Club and fill it with cots and other deployment items to give people perspective on the lives of the Warriors downrange. Tech. Sgt. Christopher Proctor, 96th Civil Engineer Squadron, and Staff Sgt. Scott Gerber, 96th Security Forces Squadron, will deploy while Staff Sgts. Wendell Bowles and Chris Hart, 96th Force Support Squadron, Staff Sgt. Gilbert Galeegos, 96th SFS, Staff Sgt. Jason Edney, 96th CES, and Senior Airman Lindsay Jordan, 96th CES, have just returned from overseas deployments. Master Sgt. Stevean Davis, 96th SFS, and Senior Airman Zachary Douglas, 96th SFS, helped other volunteers set up the tent. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Stacia Zachary)