STEPing up to the challenge

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, FLa. -- Col. Eric Pohland, 96th Air Base Wing commander, surprises Staff Sgt. Jodie Lucas, 796th Civil Engineer Squadron carpenter, with a Stripes for Exceptional Performers promotion to technical sergeant Jan. 17 during a mandatory monthly formation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Josie Stewart)

Outstanding Performer

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Master Sgt. Sarah Wilson, 40th Flight Test Squadron aviation resource manager, assists Senior Airman Annette Hansen, with some paperwork. Sergeant Wilson received a surprise Stripes for Exceptional Performers promotion from Col. Gary Plumb, 46th Test Wing Commander Jan. 11. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. LuCelia Ball)

Oil spill exercise

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Tech. Sgt. Ron Evensons, 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron NCOIC bulk fuel storage, helps U.S. Coast Guard Marine Science Technician 3rd Class Devin Horoszewski, Delaware Bay, Pa., pull in the section of boom deployed everytime a barge is transfering fuel to Eglin's bulk storage tanks Dec. 14. 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. -- Airmen and Coast Guardsmen learned to use a Pollution Unit Pump, or PUP, a device used to push product spilled into a holding area to be collected during a fuel spill exercise Dec. 14 in 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 Justin Shackleford, Station Wrightsville Beach, N.C., pulls boom up the banks across from Eglin's bulk fuel storage facility on Weekly Bayou Dec. 14. 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 Travis Capps drags boom to the banks across from Eglin's bulk fuel storage to protect the wetlands during a fuel spill exercise Dec.14 in 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)