Patiently waiting

An F-16 crew chief waits to marshal out his F-16 Fighting Falcon for another sortie from the 33rd Fighter Wing flightline Sept. 6 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Approximately 36 Luke Air Force Base Airmen, assigned to the 309th, maintain four F-16s used as chase aircraft for F-35 flights and to maintain pilot proficiency. Airmen from Luke’s various F-16 maintenance squadrons have been rotating to Eglin to support this mission since January 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Nose to nose

An Airman waits to give the weapons clearance to an F-16 Fighting Falcon prior to a sortie Sept. 6 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Approximately 36 Luke Air Force Base Airmen, assigned to the 309th, maintain four F-16s used as chase aircraft for F-35 flights and to maintain pilot proficiency. Airmen from Luke’s various F-16 maintenance squadrons have been rotating to Eglin to support this mission since January 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Maintenance review

Staff Sgt. Mulford, of the 309th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, and his aircraft's pilot, review the maintenance record of an F-16 Fighting Falcon prior to a sortie on the 33rd Fighter Wing flightline Sept. 6 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Approximately 36 Luke Air Force Base Airmen, assigned to the 309th, maintain four F-16s used as chase aircraft for F-35 flights and to maintain pilot proficiency. Airmen from Luke’s various F-16 maintenance squadrons have been rotating to Eglin to support this mission since January 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

F-16 prep

309th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Airmen prepare an F-16 Fighting Falcon for a sortie on the 33rd Fighter Wing flightline Sept. 6 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Approximately 36 Luke Air Force Base Airmen, assigned to the 309th, maintain four F-16s used as chase aircraft for F-35 flights and to maintain pilot proficiency. Airmen from Luke’s various F-16 maintenance squadrons have been rotating to Eglin to support this mission since January 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Chat

Senior Airman Dominique Wilson, a crew chief with the 309th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, talks with the F-16 pilot over the radio during pre-flight checks on the 33rd Fighter Wing flightline Sept. 6 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Approximately 36 Luke Air Force Base Airmen, assigned to the 309th, maintain four F-16s used as chase aircraft for F-35 flights and to maintain pilot proficiency. Airmen from Luke’s various F-16 maintenance squadrons have been rotating to Eglin to support this mission since January 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

All female team perform base retreat

An all female detail team presents the flag to Col. Antonio Douglas, the 96th Test Wing installation vice commander, during a retreat ceremony at Eglin Air Force Base Fla., Aug. 23. The flight and detail team were all female in honor of Women’s Equality Day. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

All female team perform base retreat

Senior Airman Jessica Tanedo, of the 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron, carries the base flag to members of the detail to be folded during a retreat ceremony at Eglin Air Force Base Fla., Aug. 23. The flight and detail team were all female in honor of Women’s Equality Day. More than 20 women participated in the event. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

All female team perform base retreat

An all-female flight and flag detail perform a retreat ceremony in honor of Women’s Equality Day at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Aug 23. More than 20 women participated in the ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

New AFMC chief visits Eglin

Chief Master Sgt. Michael Warner, the Air Force Materiel Command command chief, talks to Airmen attending Airman Leadership School at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Aug. 24. The new chief spoke with Airmen in both ALS and the First Term Airmen’s Center during this two-day immersion tour of the base. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Airman briefs Japanese 4-star

Staff Sgt. Skyler DeBoer, a crew chief with the 58th aircraft maintenance unit, briefs General Shigeru Iwasak, the air self-defense force, chief of staff, joint staff, Japan Self-Defense Forces on F-35 Lightning II maintenance and training during the general's visit to the 33rd Fighter Wing Aug. 20. Iwasaki's visit to Eglin was included in a larger tour of five Air Force and Department of the Navy installations as part of a Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff counterpart visit. The Japan Ministry of Defense announced its selection of the F-35 Lightning II as the Japan Air Self Defense Force's next generation fighter aircraft December 2011 and signed a foreign military sales agreement in June. The F-35 is the world's only "fifth generation" multi-role fighter jet, combining state-of-the art stealth technology with highly advanced avionics and maneuverability. The fighter is being developed jointly with the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps along with support from the United Kingdom, Italy, The Netherlands, Turkey, Canada, Australia, Denmark and Norway. (U.S. Air Force photo/Karen Roganov)

Pop the hood

Matthew Becker, Airman 1st Class Brandon Rudolph and Amber Turek, 96th Test Wing firefighters, open up the truck hood for inspection after extinguishing a simulated truck fire during a Nuclear Accident Response Exercise at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Aug. 22. Eglin agencies, including first responders, were evaluated on their reactions and responses to a vehicle explosion carrying nuclear material. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

N.A.R.E.

Matthew Becker, Amber Turek and Airman 1st Class Brandon Rudolph, 96th Test Wing firefighters, discuss vehicle inspection procedures after successfully putting out a simulated truck fire during a Nuclear Accident Response Exercise at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Aug. 22. Eglin agencies, including first responders, were evaluated on their reactions and responses to a vehicle explosion carrying nuclear material. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

N.A.R.E.

Amber Turek, a 96th Test Wing firefighter, attacks the simulated fire at the rear of the truck during a Nuclear Accident Response Exercise at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Aug. 22. Eglin agencies, including first responders, were evaluated on their reactions and responses to a vehicle explosion carrying nuclear material. Turek, was selected as the 2012 Air Force Materiel Command civilian firefighter of the year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

N.A.R.E.

A witness recounts the scenario for the a member of the Eglin fire department during a Nuclear Accident Response Exercise at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Aug. 22. Eglin agencies, including first responders, were evaluated on their reactions and responses to a vehicle explosion carrying nuclear material. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

A couple of NCOs

Senior Airmen Richard and Airel Schepmoes, a married couple in the 96th Test Wing, were both selected for promotion to staff sergeant this year. The couple is in the same career field and work in the same unit, the 96th Weather Flight. The Schepmoes are expected to sew on their new stripes by the end of 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

A couple of NCOs

Senior Airmen Joseph and Nicole Calungsod, a married couple in the 33rd Fighter Wing, were both selected for promotion to staff sergeant on their first try. The couple is in the same career field and work in the same unit, the 33rd Maintenance Squadron. They will sew on the new non-commissioned officer stripe just after they have their first child. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Taste test

Judges, Chief Master Sgt.s Curtis Palmer and Dorenda Barhorst, sample the meals to determine a winner of the base’s first “Chopped” cooking competition July 24 at Eglin. Five Airmen from the 96th Force Support Squadron had an hour to cook a meal with three secret ingredients. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Plating

Senior Airman LaToya Grover places sweet potatoes on her plate during the base’s first “Chopped” cooking competition July 24 at Eglin. Five Airmen from the 96th Force Support Squadron had an hour to cook a meal with three secret ingredients. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Heated competition

Senior Airman Gamaliel Serrano dices up tomatoes to top off his dish during the base’s first “Chopped” cooking competition July 24 at Eglin. Five Airmen from the 96th Force Support Squadron had an hour to cook a meal with three secret ingredients. Serrano’s dish went on to win the contest.(U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Edible arrangement

Airman 1st Class Giancarlo Martini cuts a decorative pattern into a strawberry during his meal preparation for the base’s first “Chopped” cooking competition July 24 at Eglin. Five Airmen from the 96th Force Support Squadron had an hour to cook a meal with three secret ingredients. Martini placed second in the competition. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

The sauce

Senior Airman LaToya Grover pours in an egg mixture during her meal preparation for the base’s first “Chopped” cooking competition July 24 at Eglin. Five Airmen from the 96th Force Support Squadron had an hour to cook a meal with three secret ingredients. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Layered

Senior Airman LaToya Grover peels the skin from an onion during her meal preparation for the base’s first “Chopped” cooking competition July 24 at Eglin. Five Airmen from the 96th Force Support Squadron had an hour to cook a meal with three secret ingredients. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Bison Fury exercise

A convoy of 728th Air Control Squadron Airmen, vehicles and equipment roll out beginning the squadron’s deployment readiness exercise called Bison Fury July 24 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. This exercise marks the last large-scale exercise for the squadron, which is scheduled to be deactivated in 2013. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Bison Fury exercise

Airman 1st Class Daniel Hilliard hand cranks the deployment of a TPS-75 radar set antenna in support a 728th Air Control Squadron deployment readiness exercise called Bison Fury July 24 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. This exercise marks the last large-scale exercise for the squadron, which is scheduled to be deactivated in 2013. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)