Tech Sgt. Anthony Capra

Tech Sgt. Anthony Capra

Group launches new A3 class for IT development

Christopher Nichols, 96th Communication Group director of staff and Communications and Information Career Functional, discusses getting ahead in the information technology profession during a recent Air Armament Academy course.

Airmen receive Combat Action Medals

Col. Eric Pohland, 96th Air Base Wing commander, pins a Combat Action Medal on Senior Airman Daniel Garrett, 96th Civil Engineer Squadron's Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight. Airman Garrett was part of a team that responded to an explosive device blast while operating north of Baghdad, Iraq. They assisted injured Airmen, secured the scene and detonated a secondary IED.The award is for Airmen who have been involved in direct fighting situations where they risked their lives in an enemy engagement.

Airmen receive medals

Col. Eric Pohland, 96th Air Base Wing commander, pins a Combat Action Medal on Tech Sgt. Michael Becker, 96th Civil Engineer Squadron's Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight. In May, 2005, Sergeant Becker was in a convoy in Iraq when a it was hit by a suicide improvised explosive device that blew up vehicle behind his. Two soldiers were badly burned, and Sergeant Becker and his team secured the site, and performed combat life saving actions and transported the wounded to a forward operating base. His team also performed the post blast investigation. The award is for Airmen who have been involved in direct fighting situations where they risked their lives in an enemy engagement.

Eglin turns up the heat at first annual Gulf Coast Top Chef Challenge

Airman First Class Christian Gallagher, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., prepares his entry in the Top Chef competition.

Eglin turns up the heat at first annual Gulf Coast Top Chef Challenge

(Left to Right) Airmen First Class Christian Gallagher and Katrin Julian, and Senior Airman Brandon Johnson with their finished entries in the Top Chef competition.

Best in the Air Force

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Master Sgt. Melissa L. Gee, 96th Medical Operations Squadron NCO in charge pulmonary diagnostic, conducts a lung capacity test on Senior Airman Yung Kim. Sergeant Gee was recently awarded the U.S. Air Force John Salustro Memorial Award for Cardiopulmonary Excellence. Among her many accomplishments, she procured the region's sole cauterizing bronchoscopy machine, helping stop life threatening lung bleeds in three patients. Sergeant Gee graduated with an associates degree in Cardiopulmonary Laboratory Science and is working toward a bachelors degree in Health Sciences. She is an active member in a local Parent Teacher Association and participated in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

Best in the Air Force

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Master Sgt. Melissa L. Gee, 96th Medical Operations Squadron NCO in charge of pulmonary diagnostics, conducts a lung capacity test on Senior Airman Yung Kim. Sergeant Gee was recently awarded the U.S. Air Force John Salustro Memorial Award for Cardiopulmonary Excellence. Among her many accomplishments, she procured the region's sole cauterizing bronchoscopy machine, helping stop life threatening lung bleeds in three patients. Sergeant Gee graduated with an associates degree in Cardiopulmonary Laboratory Science and is working toward a bachelors degree in Health Sciences. She is an active member in a local Parent Teacher Association and participated in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

Welcoming babies with best care

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Capt. Shanita W. Webb, 96th Inpatient Squadron nurse, checks the health status of a newborn baby. She was recently named the U.S. Air Force Maternal Child Nurse of the Year. In the inpatient squadron, she works with a team that averages more than 950 births per year. Captain Webb was instrumental in helping stabilize three unresponsive infants with artificial breathing and resuscitation, averting fetal brain damage. Her attention to detail in training new mothers lessened anxiety and increased confidence when they went home. The captain also volunteers at her church and with the Big Brothers and Big Sisters organization. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

Seeing the big picture

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Staff Sgt. Cristian R. Martinez, 96th Surgical Operations Squadron Optometry Clinic NCO in charge, assists Capt. Thomas Dahl, an ophthalmologist, during an examination of a patient in the Optometry Clinic. Sergeant Martinez was recently named the U.S. Air Force Col. Donald D. Dunton Award as Ophthalmic NCO of the Year. He was selected by the Eglin Chief Master Sergeants as a "Sharp Troop" for superior service and professionalism. Among his accomplishments, Sergeant Martinez revamped the Optometry Clinic by doubling available appointments and reducing wait times by 47 percent. He was also able to eliminate referrals to downtown medical providers. He is currently seeking a bachelor's degree in business management. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

Eyes on the award

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Senior Master Sgt. Erik D. Kessler, 96th Surgical Operations Squadron Surgical Specialty Flight Chief, assists an ophthalmologist during an examination of a patient in the Optometry Clinic. Sergeant Kessler was recently awarded the U.S. Air Force Col. Donald D. Dunton Award for his role in overseeing five clinics and 67 staff members. Sergeant Kessler is also the Top 3 president, an organization of senior enlisted Airmen at Eglin. Among his many accomplishments, Sergeant Kessler earned his third Community College of the Air Force Associate of Applied Science degree and is working toward a bachelor's degree in management. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

Eyes on the award

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Senior Master Sgt. Erik D. Kessler, 96th Surgical Operations Squadron Surgical Specialty Flight Chief, assists an ophthalmologist during an examination of a patient in the Optometry Clinic. Sergeant Kessler was recently awarded the U.S. Air Force Col. Donald D. Dunton Award for his role in overseeing five clinics and 67 staff members. Sergeant Kessler is also the Top 3 president, an organization of senior enlisted Airmen at Eglin. Among his many accomplishments, Sergeant Kessler earned his third Community College of the Air Force Associate of Applied Science degree and is working toward a bachelor's degree in management. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

Best in the Air Force

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Capt. Bryan D. Bonzo, 96th Medical Operations Squadron physical therapist, looks at Staff Sgt. Jared Green's knee after physical therapy rehabilitation exercises. Captain Bonzo was recently awarded the U.S. Air Force Company Grade Physical Therapist Award for his support at Eglin and while deployed to Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. Captain Bonzo was instrumental in treating more than 100 Afghani civilians, police and army personnel. He is pursuing a doctorate in physical therapy from Saint Augustine University. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

Best in the Air Force

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Capt. Bryan D. Bonzo, 96th Medical Operations Squadron physical therapist, was recently awarded the U.S. Air Force Company Grade Physical Therapist Award for his support at Eglin and while deployed to Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. Captain Bonzo was instrumental in treating more than 100 Afghani civilians, police and army personnel. He is pursuing a doctorate in physical therapy from Saint Augustine University. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

Keeping it moving

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan – Tech. Sgt. Marygail Harmon, noncommissioned officer in charge of medical material at the Craig Joint Theater Hospital here, stocks supplies in the logistics store room Feb. 5. Harmon's home unit is the 96th Medical Support Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., where she is a medical supply technician. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Demetrius Lester)

Commander visits Eglin

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Lynda Rutledge, director of the 708th Armament Systems Group, discusses the Joint Attack Direct Munition's Quick Reaction Capability program with General Bruce Carlson, Air Force Materiel Command commander. The Laser sensor will fit on the front of the weapon, adding the capability to attack moving targets. General Carlson visited Eglin Jan. 31. (USAF photo by Craig McDonnell)

Eglin hospital welcomes first speech pathologist

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Maj. DiAnna Calvin, 96th Surgical Operations Squadron speech pathologist, demonstrates feeding a barium sulphate suspension to "patient" Airman 1st Class Kimberly York, 96th Medical Operations Squadron radiology student. The barium, which is mixed with food, allows Major Calvin to view and video the swallowing process through X-ray. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. LuCelia Ball)

Eglin hospital welcomes first speech pathologist

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Maj. DiAnna Calvin, 96th Surgical Operations Squadron speech pathologist, maneuvers a flexible laryngeal scope into Senior Airman Adrian Balkissoon's nose. Airman Balkissoon is a 96th SGOS Ear, Nose and Throat clinic technician. The scope has a fiber optic camera attached to a rhinolaryngeal video stroboscopy machine, which allows Major Calvin to view and diganose vocal pathology. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. LuCelia Ball)

Air Force 2007 Mission Support Awards

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Gina Pedro, 46th Maintenance Group maintenance training scheduler, was recently selected for one of the Air Force's 2007 Mission Support Awards in the Education and Manager Junior Civilian category. (Photo by Staff Sgt. LuCelia Ball)

Fuel spill exercise

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Tech. Sgt. Jesse Terry, 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels and environmental flight, helps Tech. Sgt. Shawn Taylor, 719th Maintenance Squadron unit environmental coordinator, get into a life jacket. They also put on air tanks as part of the decotamination team. The Air Force and Coast Guard deployed more than 6,500 feet of boom during a week-long training exercise familiarizing them with the processes and equipment needed to clean up fuel spilled into the waters bordering Eglin's southern edge. Eglin has a water front bulk fuel storage facility that receives a barge of more than one million gallons of jet fuel every eight to 10 days. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

Oil spill exercise

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- U.S. Coast Guardsmen employed the use of a 150-foot catenary tow, a boom pulled at the ends by boats to collect remnants of fuel floating on the surface of the water, during a fuel spill exercise Dec. 14 at Weekly Bayou. The Air Force and Coast Guard deployed more than 6,500 feet of boom during a week-long training exercise familiarizing them with the processes and equipment needed to clean up fuel spilled into the waters bordering Eglin's southern edge. Eglin has a water front bulk fuel storage facility that receives a barge of more than one million gallons of jet fuel every eight to 10 days. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

Oil spill exercise

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- U.S. Coast Guard MArine Science Technician 2nd Class Paul Roberts, operations officer, coordinates the deployment of boom with boats on the water during a fuel spill exercise Dec. 14 at Weekly Bayou. The Air Force and Coast Guard deployed more than 6,500 feet of boom during a week-long training exercise familiarizing them with the processes and equipment needed to clean up fuel spilled into the waters bordering Eglin's southern edge. Eglin has a water front bulk fuel storage facility that receives a barge of more than one million gallons of jet fuel every eight to 10 days. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

Oil spill exercise

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- U.S. Coast Guard Boatswain Mate 2nd Class Jesse Duane, Barnegat Light, N.J., pulls boom out of a trailer as a boat drags it into the water Dec. 14 to be deployed into Weekly Bayou during a fuel spill exercise. The Air Force and Coast Guard deployed more than 6,500 feet of boom during a week-long training exercise familiarizing them with the processes and equipment needed to clean up fuel spilled into the waters bordering Eglin's southern edge. Eglin has a water front bulk fuel storage facility that receives a barge of more than one million gallons of jet fuel every eight to 10 days. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

Oil spill exercise

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- U.S. Coast Guard Boatswain Mate 2nd Class Jesse Duane, Barnegat Light, N.J., pulls boom out of a trailer as a boat drags it into the water Dec. 14 to be deployed into Weekly Bayou during a fuel spill exercise. The Air Force and Coast Guard deployed more than 6,500 feet of boom during a week-long training exercise familiarizing them with the processes and equipment needed to clean up fuel spilled into the waters bordering Eglin's southern edge. Eglin has a water front bulk fuel storage facility that receives a barge of more than one million gallons of jet fuel every eight to 10 days. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)