AF award winner

Eric J. Kitchen, the technical adviser with the Operational Flight Program Combined Test Force at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., recently won the Arthur S. Flemming Award in the applied science, engineering and mathematics category. The annual Air Force award recognizes the outstanding contributions of federal employees on either a sustained basis or through a single exceptional accomplishment achieved or completed during 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo/Kevin Gaddie)

EOD school

Rear Adm. Donald Quinn, the commander of Naval Education and Training Command, observes Senior Chief Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician Joseph Severino, an instructor at Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal, as he initiates shock tube during a tour of the improvised explosive device division, March 14. NAVSCOLEOD, located on Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., provides high-risk, specialized, basic and advanced EOD training to over 2,200 U.S. and partner nation military and selected U.S. government personnel each year. (U.S. Navy photo/ Ensign Elizabeth Allen)

Major saves during deployment

Maj. Raynae Leslie, the 96th Medical Support Squadron’s chief of clinical laboratory services at Eglin AFB’s hospital, pulls a unit of blood from the cross-matched shelf for issue for a transfusion. Leslie and her team provided more than 400 pints of blood to a U.S. Army Ranger, helping save his life during her 2011 deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo/Kevin Gaddie)

Honor Guard

Members of the Eglin Air Force Base honor guard pass the American flag above the casket during a mock funeral as part of the honor guard graduation. Approximately 16 new Airmen graduated from the 80-plus-hour course. Prior to the graduation, the Airmen perform a full honors, military funeral to include flag detail, the 21-gun salute, pall bearers and bugler for friends, family and unit commanders. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Hold tight

(Left) Airman 1st Class Taurie McCurdy and five other members of the Eglin Honor Guard hold the flag tight above the casket during a mock funeral as part of the honor guard graduation. Approximately 16 new Airmen graduated from the 80-plus-hour course. Prior to the graduation, the Airmen perform a full honors, military funeral to include flag detail, the 21-gun salute, pall bearers and bugler for friends, family and unit commanders. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Hold tight

Airman 1st Class Wayne Phillips and five other members of the Eglin Honor Guard hold the flag tight above the casket during a mock funeral as part of the honor guard graduation. Approximately 16 new Airmen graduated from the 80-plus-hour course. Prior to the graduation, the Airmen perform a full honors, military funeral to include flag detail, the 21-gun salute, pall bearers and bugler for friends, family and unit commanders. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)