A safe return

Col. Michael Gantt, the 53rd Wing commander, looks at his family after his final flight as commander of the wing July 22 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Gantt leaves the wing for a position with Air Force A5 at the Pentagon. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Last stop

Airman 1st Class Josh Mouser, of the 46th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, marshals in Col. Michael Gantt, commander of the 53rd Wing, after his final flight July 22 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Gantt leaves the wing for a position with Air Force A5 at the Pentagon. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Wing & a prayer

Col. Michael Gantt, the 53rd Wing commander, performs checks on the wing’s flagship F-16 Fighting Falcon for the final time as commander prior to a flight July 22 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Gantt leaves the wing for a position with Air Force A5 at the Pentagon. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Monteith wins Safety "Hall of Fame" award

Walt Monteith, deputy director of safety at the Air Armament Center, was recently honored with the Air Force Safety Hall of Fame award. (Courtesy photo)

Tight squeeze

Joey Shortt-Tabor of 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron cargo movement, directs an Air Force Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle out of the warehouse to be loaded on a tractor trailer. The 45 people in LRS' cargo movement unload and ship out an almost 15,000 pieces through commercial carriers each year. Their in-house capabilities allow them to create virtually any type of shipping material needed to store, secure and ship an item from Eglin. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Parking an MRAP

Angus Friend of 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron cargo movement, helps the driver of an Air Force Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle find the center of the trailer before the vehicle is shipped out. The 45 people in LRS' cargo movement unload and ship out an almost 15,000 pieces through commercial carriers each year. Their in-house capabilities allow them to create virtually any type of shipping material needed to store, secure and ship an item from Eglin. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Nailed it

Airman 1st Class Jeremy Gonzales of 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron cargo movement, nails the board into place with a nail gun. The wood will be used to create a box to secure and ship a large item from the base. Measurements of the items to be shipped are taken and used to produce specifications for the type of box needed to ship it. Personnel in the wood shop can build a box to meet those specifications needed to secure and ship the item. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Lift & release

Art Ellington of 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron cargo movement, moves a heavy box via a vacuum lift system at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The cargo movement section has the ability to create almost any type of shipping crate, box or packing material needed to secure a package and ship it out. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Down the line

A newly packaged and labeled box is sent out on the conveyor belt to its next station within the 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron’s cargo movement section before being shipped out. The 45 personnel of cargo movement unload and ship out an almost 15,000 pieces through commercial carriers each year. Their in-house capabilities allow them to create virtually any type of shipping material need to store, secure and ship an item from Eglin. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Pick up

Art Ellington of 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron cargo movement, moves a wooden crate from the packing side to the shipping side of the warehouse. The cargo movement section is responsible for packing and shipping equipment set to leave Eglin. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Wood shop

Airman 1st Class Jeremy Gonzales of 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron cargo movement, slides another board into place prior to measuring and cutting it to meet the requirements. The wood will be used to create a box to secure and ship a large item from the base. Measurements of the items to be shipped are taken and used to produce specifications for the type of box needed to ship it. Personnel in the wood shop can build a box to meet those specifications needed to secure and ship the item. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Wood shop

Airman 1st Class Jeremy Gonzales of 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron cargo movement, measures a 2x4 prior to nailing it into place on a wooden box. The box will be used to secure and ship a large item from the base. Measurements of the items to be shipped are taken and used to produce specifications for the type of box needed to ship it. Personnel in the wood shop can build a box to meet those specifications needed to secure and ship the item. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Check engine

Staff Sgt. Nick Sanchez of 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron cargo movement, pulls the paperwork for an A-10 engine to ensure accuracy and responsibility prior to accepting delivery onto Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The 45 personnel of cargo movement unload and ship out an almost 15,000 pieces through commercial carriers each year. Their in-house capabilities allow them to create virtually any type of shipping material need to store, secure and ship an item from Eglin. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Cargo movement

Don Snyder of 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron cargo movement, removes the wooden braces from a trailer holding A-10 engines at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The 45 personnel of cargo movement unload and ship out an almost 15,000 pieces through commercial carriers each year. Their in-house capabilities allow them to create virtually any type of shipping material need to store, secure and ship an item from Eglin. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Heavy delivery

Eric Bonebrake, 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron, moves a box toward the back of his truck at Eglin. Mr. Bonebrake works as a pick-up and delivery driver within the vehicle operations section under 96th LRS. He and other delivery drivers shuttle supplies to and from various maintenance locations twice daily. Vehicle operations is part of the larger Distribution flight under 96 LRS. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Rules of the road

Airman 1st Class Jessica Baudier, 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle operations, checks her mirrors while driving one of the many government-owned vehicles to pick up passengers on Eglin. Vehicle operations Airmen are responsible for all passenger movement using military buses on base. Larger vehicles like buses also receive the same thorough inspection “check-out” vehicles go through. The Airmen of vehicle operations are responsible for driving, upkeep, dispatching and delivery of more than 130 vehicles on base. The vehicle operations flight managed more than 13 thousand transportation requests last year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

In the mirror

Senior Airman Jessica Spence, 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle operations, inspects one of the many government-owned trucks upon its return from use. Mileage, damage, fluids and normal wear and tear are examined to ensure serviceability for the next mission. The Airmen of vehicle operations are responsible for driving, upkeep, dispatching and delivery of more than 130 vehicles on base. The vehicle operations flight managed more than 13 thousand transportation requests last year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Fill 'er up

Senior Airman Michelle Wamsley, 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle operations, refuels the bus before returning it to the vehicle lot on Eglin. Vehicle operations Airmen are responsible for all passenger movement using military buses on base. Larger vehicles like buses also receive the same thorough inspection “check-out” vehicles go through. The Airmen of vehicle operations are responsible for driving, upkeep, dispatching and delivery of more than 130 vehicles on base. The vehicle operations flight managed more than 13 thousand transportation requests last year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Under the hood

Senior Airman Jessica Spence, 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle operations, checks the oil from one of Eglin’s military tractor trailer cabs for an inspection after it has been returned from use. Mileage, damage, fluids and normal wear and tear are examined to ensure serviceability for the next mission. The Airmen of vehicle operations are responsible for driving, upkeep, dispatching and delivery of more than 130 vehicles on base. The vehicle operations flight managed more than 13 thousand transportation requests last year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

See your face in it

Airman 1st Class Kitterman, 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle operations, washes down a government-owned-vehicle before returning it to the lot. Airmen in the vehicle operations flight ensure each vehicle is clean and serviceable for the next customer. Vehicle operations is also responsible for driving, upkeep, dispatching and delivery of more than 130 vehicles on base. The vehicle operations flight managed more than 13 thousand transportation requests last year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

EOD Airman killed

Tech. Sgt. Daniel L. Douville, 96th Civil Engineer Squadron, (pictured here) died June 26 as a result of injuries suffered from an improvised explosive device on the border of the Nad 'Ali district of Helmand province, Afghanistan. (Courtesy photo)

Synchronicity

Airman Leadership School students keep in step during drill practice at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. ALS is a five-week-long Air Force program designed to develop Airmen into effective front-line supervisors. It is the first professional military education enlisted Air Force members encounter. Eglin's schoolhouse hosts seven ALS classes per year. Eglin was named Air Force Materiel Command's PME program of the year for 2009 and 2010. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Marching blues

Members of Falcon Flight march during drill practice during Airman Leadership School at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. ALS is a five-week-long Air Force program designed to develop Airmen into effective front-line supervisors. It is the first professional military education enlisted Air Force members encounter. Eglin's schoolhouse hosts seven ALS classes per year. Eglin was named Air Force Materiel Command's PME program of the year for 2009 and 2010. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Forward march

Staff Sgt. Gary Overby, leader of Raptor Flight, calls cadence for his flight as they practice drill during Airman Leadership School at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Sergeant Overby, 46th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, and 39 others are currently enrolled in Eglin’s ALS class. ALS is a five-week-long Air Force program designed to develop Airmen into effective front-line supervisors. It is the first professional military education enlisted Air Force members encounter. Eglin's schoolhouse hosts seven ALS classes per year. Eglin was named Air Force Materiel Command's PME program of the year for 2009 and 2010. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)