Combatives

Airman 1st Class Oscar Gomez-Villatoro, of the 319th Security Forces Squadron, puts his opponent in a choke hold during the “King of the Mat” competition at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Sept. 17. The competition is part of their “Brave Defender” deployment training. The Airmen take the skills and techniques learned during their combatives course and put them into practice against one another. The training is administered by the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron. More than 1,400 Airmen from across the Air Force attend the three-week courses each year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Combatives

Security Forces Airmen grapple for control during a “King of the Mat” competition training at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Sept. 17. The Airmen take the skills and techniques learned during their combatives course and put them into practice against one another as part of their “Brave Defender” deployment training. The training is administered by the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron. More than 1,400 Airmen from across the Air Force attend the three-week courses each year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Another success

Senior Airman Branden Palmer, of the 309th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, gives a celebratory fist pump after marshalling out an F-16 Fighting Falcon for another 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.)

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.)

Securing pilot

Senior Airman Dominique Wilson, a crew chief with the 309th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, helps secure the pilot into the F-16 Fighting Falcon 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.)

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.)