Ready, set, go

CAMP RUDDER, Fla. -- A group of more than 250 runners take off during the first of an annually planned five-kilometer and 10-kilometer run at the 6th Ranger Training Battalion Ranger Open House May 6. More than $4,000 raised from the race and the Open House were donated to the Fisher House. "A largest crowd ever" of people of all ages visited the 6th RTB Rangers as they brought out their equipment for hands-on displays of weapons, diving equipment, Zodiac boat, parachute, medical and a day-in-the-life display for the Ranger training school. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

Hypodermic danger

CAMP RUDDER, Fla. -- U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Casey Grochowiak, 6th Ranger Training Battalion instructor, shows the fangs of a mature Eastern diamondback rattlesnake during the Ranger Open House May 6. "A largest crowd ever" of people of all ages visited the 6th RTB Rangers as they brought out their equipment for hands-on displays of weapons, diving equipment, Zodiac boat, parachute, medical and a day-in-the-life display for the Ranger training school. The Army's Reptile Team put on a reptile show where people took an up-close look at venomous and non-venomous snakes that could be found just feet from where the spectators were standing. They also put on repelling demonstrations, a downed pilot rescue demonstration and a hand-to-hand combat demonstration. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

'Raku Vase'

This ceramic artwork made by Eugene L. Rybicki entitled "Raku Vase" was chosen to be showcased in the Air Force Services Arts and Crafts exhibit gallery on the Web. The Web site, www.af-artscrafts.com, is a resource for arts and crafts customers to find information on local base centers as well as tips for creative projects and auto hobby. (Courtesy photo)

'Beach House Getaway'

This piece of art work by Kimberly A. Rogers entitled "Beach House Getaway" was chosen to be showcased in the Air Force Services Arts and Crafts exhibit gallery on the Web. The Web site, www.af-artscrafts.com, is a resource for arts and crafts customers to find information on local base centers as well as tips for creative projects and auto hobby. (Courtesy photo)

'I Am Different'

This photograph taken by Kaitlyn A. Ducharme entitled "I Am Different" was chosen to be showcased in the Air Force Services Arts and Crafts exhibit gallery on the Web. The Web site, www.af-artscrafts.com, is a resource for arts and crafts customers to find information on local base centers as well as tips for creative projects and auto hobby. (Photo by Kaitlyn A. Ducharme)

'Oasis'

This photograph taken by Penny L. Barnes entitled "Oasis" was chosen to be showcased in the Air Force Services Arts and Crafts exhibit gallery on the Web. The Web site, www.af-artscrafts.com, is a resource for arts and crafts customers to find information on local base centers as well as tips for creative projects and auto hobby. (Photo by Penny L. Barnes)

'Leap of Faith'

This photograph taken by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares entitled "Leap of Faith" was chosen to be showcased in the Air Force Services Arts and Crafts exhibit gallery on the Web. The Web site, www.af-artscrafts.com, is a resource for arts and crafts customers to find information on local base centers as well as tips for creative projects and auto hobby. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

'Bluebird on branch'

This painting by Katelyn Hooker, named "Bluebird on Branch," was a piece of art work chosen to be showcased in the Air Force Services Arts and Crafts exhibit gallery on the Web. The Web site, www.af-artscrafts.com, is a resource for arts and crafts customers to find information on local base centers as well as tips for creative projects and auto hobby. (Courtesy photo)

Season opener

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Greg Burg, 53rd Wing third baseman, lays the tag on Tim Sandlin, 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron, in a close play at third base April 30 during the 2007 intramural softball season opening day. Sandlin was called safe on the play. The 96th LRS team edged out 53rd Wing 12-9 in their opener. The intramural league consists of 26 teams spread among two leagues. Each team will play 12 games throughout the season to earn a position in the postseason playoffs scheduled for later this summer. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

Season opener

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Ben Hurst, Air Force Research Laboratory third baseman, drives the ball into left field for a two-run triple against the 796th Civil Engineer Squadron in the opening game of the 2007 intramural softball season here April 30. The intramural league consists of 26 teams spread among two leagues. Each team will play 12 games throughout the season to earn a position in the postseason playoffs scheduled for later this summer. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

Gate to Gate Run

Gate to Gate Logo

Service members honored at EOD memorial

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Karyn Plante, sister to Tech. Sgt. Timothy R. Weiner, etches his name on the cover of a program during the Explosive Ordnance Disposal 38th Annual Memorial Service at the Kauffman EOD Training Complex April 21. Sergeant Weiner was one of three Airmen killed by an improvised explosive device in Baghdad, Iraq, Jan. 7, 2007. The ceremony memorialized 14 names of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen who have sacrificed their lives during EOD missions. Those names will bring the total to 215 names inscribed on the bronze tablets of the memorial. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

Service members honored at EOD memorial

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Marc Tarter and U.S Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Michael Todd salute the wreath to honor the Marines whose names were added to the memorial during the Explosive Ordnance Disposal 38th Annual Memorial Service at the Kauffman EOD Training Complex April 21. Three Marines names were added to the bronze tablet of the memorial. The ceremony memorialized 14 names of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines who have sacrificed their lives during EOD missions. Those names will bring the total to 215 names inscribed on the bronze tablets of the memorial. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

One-way mission

USS HORNET, PACIFIC OCEAN 1942 -- Lt. Col. James "Jimmy" Doolittle takes off from the USS Hornet 650 miles from Japan on a top-secret bombing mission. The Doolittle Raid, U.S. Army Air Force special order #1 of World War II, was a daring one-way mission of 16 B-25 Mitchell medium bombers with 80 aircrew, commanded by Colonel Doolittle, to carry out America's first offensive attack on Japan. The crews secretly trained for two-weeks and modified the B-25s at Eglin Air Force Base's Wagner Field, Auxiliary Field 1 prior to the mission. (Photo courtesy National Museum of the U.S. Air Force)

Doolittle Raiders

PACIFIC OCEAN 1942 -- Some of the B-25 Mitchells of the Doolittle Raiders crowd the rear deck of the USS Hornet with two escort vessels following close in the background. The B-25s took up most of the deck space of the USS Hornet, so the Navy fighters were stored below on the hangar deck. The USS Enterprise (not seen) provided fighter cover for the task force. The Doolittle Raid, U.S. Army Air Force special order #1 of World War II, was a daring one-way mission of 16 B-25 Mitchell medium bombers with 80 aircrew, commanded by Lt. Col. James "Jimmy" Doolittle, to carry out America's first offensive attack on Japan. (Photo courtesy National Museum of the U.S. Air Force)

2007 Eglin Air Show

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Spectators gather along the flighline in preparation for the 2007 Eglin Air Show demonstrations to begin. The first day of the air show was cancelled due to severe weather coming into the area. Although the second day was cold and windy, thousands braved the elements to watch the aerial acrobatics in the skies over Eglin. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

2007 Eglin Air Show

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The F-16 Fighting Falcons of the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, demonstrate the capabilities of their aircraft during the 2007 Eglin Air Show April 15. The first day of the air show was cancelled for safety reasons due to a severe weather threat. More than 42,000 spectators were in attendance April 15. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

2007 Eglin Air Show

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds break for a "low bomb burst" maneuver in front of more than 42,000 spectators during the 2007 Eglin Air Show here April 15. The Thunderbirds' performance concluded the air show weekend that was cut show by a severe weather cancellation. The first day of the air show was cancelled for safety reasons due to a severe weather threat. The winds and cold temperatures on the back side of the storm didn't keep spectators away April 15 as the Thunderbirds performance culminated the air show. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

2007 Eglin Air Show

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Victoria Shire and Morgan Peterson, both Eglin residents, bundle up underneath a blanket April 15 during the 2007 Eglin Air Show. The first day of the air show was cancelled due to severe weather coming into the area. Although the second day was cold and windy, more than 42,000 spectators braved the elements to watch the aerial acrobatics in the skies over Eglin. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

2007 Eglin Air Show

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds flight demonstration team flies in diamond formation during the 2007 Eglin Air Show here April 15. The first day of the air show was cancelled for safety reasons due to a severe weather threat. The winds on the back side of the storm didn't keep more than 42,000 spectators away. The Thunderbirds are assigned to the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

2007 Eglin Air Show

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The Air Combat Command F-15 West Coast Demonstration Team, stationed here, displays the F-15C capabilities as a single-role fighter designed to perform air-to-air missions to more than 42,000 spectators at the 2007 Eglin Air Show April 15. The team performed at over 30 air shows across the country and around the world last year, showcasing the U.S. Air Force, the 33rd Fighter Wing and the F-15 Eagle for over 4.3 million people. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

2007 Eglin Air Show

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The Air Combat Command F-15 West Coast Demonstration Team, stationed here, displays the F-15C capabilities as a single-role fighter designed to perform air-to-air missions to thousands at the 2007 Eglin Air Show April 15. The team performed at over 30 air shows across the country and around the world last year, showcasing the U.S. Air Force, the 33rd Fighter Wing and the F-15 Eagle for over 4.3 million people. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

2007 Eglin Air Show

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Brig. Gen. David Eidsaune, Program Executive Officer for Weapons and Air Armament Center commander, Retired Master Sgt. Ed Horton, a Doolittle Raider, and Florida Senator Bill Nelson unveil the historical plaque to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the Doolittle Raid and the secret training site of Wagner Field, now known as Field Auxiliary 1 at the Eglin Air Show April 15. Eglin was the secret training site for Lt. Col. James "Jimmy" Doolittle and his raiders in March 1942. To commemorate the role played by, then, Eglin Field in that secret mission, U.S. Air Force and Congressional leaders and Mr. Horton dedicated a historical marker to the Doolittle Raiders on Field Auxiliary 1 before the Thunderbirds' aerial demonstration at the air show. The B-25 achieved worldwide fame on April 18, 1942 when sixteen B-25's, under the command of Lt. Col. James Doolittle, were launched from the aircraft carrier Hornet in a daring raid on five Japanese cities including Tokyo, Osaka, Yokohama, Nagoya, and Kobe. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

2007 Eglin Air Show

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Col. Dean Clemons, 96th Air Base Wing commander, Tom Tart, Florida Senator Bill Nelson, retired Master Sgt. Ed Horton, a Doolittle Raider, and Brig. Gen. David Eidsaune, Program Executive Officer for Weapons and Air Armament Center commander, talk before the Doolittle Raider dedication ceremony at the 2007 Eglin Air Show April 15. Eglin was the secret training site for Lt. Col. James "Jimmy" Doolittle and his raiders in March 1942. To commemorate the role played by, then, Eglin Field in that secret mission, U.S. Air Force and Congressional leaders and local Doolittle Raider, Mr. Horton, dedicated a historical marker to the Doolittle Raiders on Field Auxiliary 1 before the Thunderbirds? aerial demonstration at the air show. The B-25 achieved worldwide fame on April 18, 1942 when sixteen B-25's, under the command of Lt. Col. James Doolittle, were launched from the aircraft carrier Hornet in a daring raid on five Japanese cities including Tokyo, Osaka, Yokohama, Nagoya, and Kobe. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)