Get low

Rex, a 96th Security Forces military working dog, exits through a tunnel on the obstacle course at the Eglin Air Force Base Fla., kennel. Rex and his handler, Staff Sgt. David Aenchbacher, recently competed in the United States Police Canine Association regional competition for the first time. The K-9 team was the only military team in the competition and took home second place in the novice (first year) category. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

The nose knows

Rex, a 96th Security Forces military working dog, searches a luggage container for any that specific smell during a demonstration at the kennel course at Eglin Air Force Base Fla. Rex and his handler, Staff Sgt. David Aenchbacher, recently competed in the United States Police Canine Association regional competition for the first time. The K-9 team was the only military team in the competition and took home second place in the novice (first year) category. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Get fit

Staff Sgt. Terence Walker, 96th Force Support Squadron, adjusts the straps on his mask prior to starting the gas mask fit test while a 96th Aerospace Medical Squadron Airman explains mask procedures to the next Airman to undergo the test. The testing took place Feb. 18 prior to Eglin’s phase two exercise Feb. 22-25. The test is to ensure personnel are fitted to the proper size mask and to build confidence in its performance and use, according to 2nd Lt. Lindsay M. Kotouch, 96th Aerospace Medical Squadron. The exercises used alter the seal as facial movements occur and ensure the mask to face seal is not broken and won't allow contamination into the mask. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Fit to wear

Two Airmen undergo the gas mask fit test prior to Eglin’s phase two exercise occurring Feb. 22-25. The test is to ensure personnel are fitted to the proper size mask and to build confidence in its performance and use, according to 2nd Lt. Lindsay M. Kotouch, 96th Aerospace Medical Squadron. The exercises used alter the seal as facial movements occur and ensure the mask to face seal is not broken and won't allow contamination into the mask. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Maintainers of the future

Airmen and civilian contractors attend cadre-training classes for the F-35. Many of the maintainers have already attended F-35 propulsion and Autonomic Logistics Information System familiarization courses. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Maintainer of the future

A 33rd Fighter Wing Airman attends one of the cadre-training classes for the F-35. Many of the maintainers have already attended F-35 propulsion and Autonomic Logistics Information System familiarization courses. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Thinking OPSEC

Congratulations to Ralph Milone, 96th Air Base Wing Information Protection, on being selected as the Air Force OPSEC officer of the year. Mr. Milone will now represent the Air Force at the National OPSEC Individual Achievement Award competition. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

EOD NCO wins Sijan Award

Staff Sgt. Michael Pereira recently won the Air Force Sijan Award in the junior enlisted category as one of four servicemembers who demonstrated outstanding leadership abilities. He led a three-person team in support of the 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Stryker Brigade Combat Team during Operation Opportunity Hold in Kandahar province, Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/2nd Lt. Andrew Caulk)

Hand off

Senior Airman Dion Baynard, 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron, passes the fuel hose to Senior Airman Mark Redmond, 756th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, to refuel an F-16 after a 33rd Fighter Wing sortie Jan. 25. F-16s from Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., are being used by the wing to fly local area orientation sorties and develop a “battle rhythm leading up to the arrival of the first F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Making a connection

Senior Airman Mark Redmond, 756th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, connects the hose to the F-16 to be refueled after a 33rd Fighter Wing sortie Jan. 25. F-16s from Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., are being used by the wing to fly local area orientation sorties and develop a “battle rhythm leading up to the arrival of the first F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Exercise Spartan Resolve

Marines prepare for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan during exercise Spartan Resolve at Camp Lejeune, N.C. (Casey Bain, JFIIT, USJFCOM)

Fini flight for 46th TW/CV

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - Col. Evan Thomas, 46th Test Wing vice commander, walks toward the crowd waiting to congratulate him on his "fini flight" at Base Operations on Eglin’s flight line. Shortly after the colonel landed for the last time here, his family greeted him with the traditional Air Force spray down using a fire hose, compliments of an Eglin Fire and Emergency Services vehicle nearby. Colonel Thomas is retiring from the Air Force and the wing expects a replacement in June. (U.S. Air Force photo/Chrissy Cuttita)

Sanitize

Airman 1st Class Pichardo, 96th Medical Group decontamination team, directs other Airmen where to be as a “victim” is moved through the sanitation tent Dec. 1. After exiting the decontamination tent, victims were assessed by a triage team to determine what medical treatment was needed and how urgent the need was. The base's Chemical Biological Nuclear Explosive exercise tested Eglin's first responders such as security forces and fire department as well as the medical group's emergency technicians. 96th MDG Airmen set up a decontamination tent to process the victims through before providing detailed medical attention. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Samuel King)

Motionless

Victims of a simulated chlorine attack lie on the beach at Post'l Point Dec. 1 during the base's Chemical Biological Nuclear Explosive exercise. The exercise tested Eglin's first responders such as security forces and fire department as well as the medical group's emergency technicians. 96th MDG Airmen set up a decontamination tent to process the victims through before providing detailed medical attention. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Samuel King)

Help

Staff Sgt. Vaulta Hanni, 96th Medical Group, calls for more bandages for a “victim” outside the contaminated zone at Post'l Point Dec. 1. The base's Chemical Biological Nuclear Explosive exercise tested Eglin's first responders such as security forces and fire department as well as the medical group's emergency technicians. 96th MDG Airmen set up a decontamination tent to process the victims through before providing detailed medical attention. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Samuel King)

Direction

Christopher Hoffman,96th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, directs “victims” out of the contaminated zone at Post'l Point Dec. 1. The base's Chemical Biological Nuclear Explosive exercise tested Eglin's first responders such as security forces and fire department as well as the medical group's emergency technicians. 96th Medical Group Airmen set up a decontamination tent to process the victims through before providing detailed medical attention. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Samuel King)

Give me the boot

Pairs of Airmen remove the rubber overboots as they progress through the decontamination area at the chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive training course at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The eight-hour course combines computer based and hands-on training on how and when to wear the gear, UXOs and protective measures. The 96th Civil Engineer Squadron’s emergency readiness flight teaches the hands-on course up to 75 times a year. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Samuel King Jr.)

Buddy wingman

An Airman helps his wingman ensure his helmet is buckled during an Alarm Black scenario at the chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive training course at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The eight-hour course combines computer based and hands-on training on how and when to wear the gear, unexploded ordnances and protective measures. The 96th Civil Engineer Squadron’s emergency readiness flight teaches the hands-on course up to 75 times a year. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Samuel King Jr.)

MOPP up

An Airman pulls the cords tight on the hood of his chemical suit top in an Alarm Black condition during the chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive training course at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The eight-hour course combines computer based and hands-on training on how and when to wear the gear, UXOs and protective measures. The 96th Civil Engineer Squadron’s emergency readiness flight teaches the hands-on course up to 75 times a year. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Samuel King Jr.)

Alarm Black

Alarm Black is given, and Airmen must dress out in the full chemical suit, beginning with the gas mask. This scenario is part of the chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive training course at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The eight-hour course combines computer based and hands-on training on how and when to wear the gear, unxploded ordnances and protective measures. The 96th Civil Engineer Squadron’s emergency readiness flight teaches the hands-on course up to 75 times a year. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Samuel King Jr.)

Coverage

Airmen place a protective covering over vital equipment prior to a simulated attack during the chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive training course at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The eight-hour course combines computer based and hands-on training on how and when to wear the gear, unxploded ordnances and protective measures. The 96th Civil Engineer Squadron’s emergency readiness flight teaches the hands-on course up to 75 times a year. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Samuel King Jr.)

Filtered

An Airman ensures the mask is sealed as a chemical irritant is placed in front of the filters of his M-50 gas mask during the chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive training course at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The eight-hour course combines computer based and hands-on training on how and when to wear the gear, UXOs and protective measures. The 96th Civil Engineer Squadron’s emergency readiness flight teaches the hands-on course up to 75 times a year. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Samuel King)

always ready

Senior Airman Heather Holland, 96th Force Support Squadron, and Staff Sgt. Michael Fleming, 96th Communications Squadron, salute during the National Anthem at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Nov. 18. Approximately 50 Air Base Wing Airmen faced the flag and saluted in full Mission Oriented Protective Posture gear while attending chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive training. Large groups of Eglin personnel attended the training as part of Phase II exercise, Nov. 17 and 18. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Samuel King Jr.)

Respect

Senior Airman Heather Holland, 96th Force Support Squadron, and Staff Sgt. Michael Fleming, 96th Communications Squadron, salute during the National Anthem at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Nov. 18. Approximately 50 Air Base Wing Airmen faced the flag and saluted in full Mission Oriented Protective Posture gear while attending chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive training. Large groups of Eglin personnel attended the training as part of Phase II exercise, Nov. 17 and 18. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Samuel King Jr.)