2007 Eglin Air Show

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Ed Hamill, pilot of the Air Force Reserves Biplane, performs at the 2007 Eglin Air Show April 15. His aerial acrobatics, Living the Dream air show, dives and rolls through three acts: Barnstormers, Competitors and Skydancers. The routine began with a tribute to the first flight at Kitty Hawk, N.C., and finishes with a skydancing performance. More than 42,000 were estimated in attendance the air show April 15. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

2007 Eglin Air Show

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Kent Pietsch, in his 1942 Interstate Cadet, flies a comedy act during the 2007 Eglin Air Show April 15. During his routine, the pilot performs a dead stick (total power off) aerobatic routine from an altitude of 6,000 feet. More than 42,000 spectators watched as his maneuvers were made more difficult by the gusty winds associated with the storm that canceled the first day of the air show. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

2007 Eglin Air Show

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Ed Hamill, pilot of the Air Force Reserves Biplane, performs at the 2007 Eglin Air Show April 15. His aerial acrobatics, Living the Dream air show, dives and rolls through three acts: Barnstormers, Competitors and Skydancers. The routine began with a tribute to the first flight at Kitty Hawk, N.C., and finished with a skydancing performance. More than 42,000 were estimated to attend the air show April 15. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

2007 Eglin Air Show

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- One of three B-25s performs fly-bys 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 65th anniversary of the Doolittle Raid on Japan and the role played by then Eglin Field in that secret mission, U.S. Air Force and Congressional leaders and local Doolittle Raider, retired Master Sgt. Ed Horton, dedicated a historical marker to the Doolittle Raiders on Field Auxiliary 1 before the Thunderbirds' aerial demonstration at the 2007 Eglin Air Force Base Air Show April 15. 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. -- Mike Cage, of Crestview, teaches his son Greyson, 5, how to photograph the high speed action of the Thunderbirds during the 2007 Eglin Air Show April 15. 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. -- Luke McCaleb, 8, and Brent Wilson, 7, take their toy F-117 Stealth fighter and B-52 bomber into vertical climbs during the 2007 Eglin Air Show April 15. The boys and their fathers drove more than five hours to see the 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 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. -- An F-15C Eagle and a P-51 Mustang display the U.S. Air Force fighter capabilities of yesterday and today at the 2007 Eglin Air Show April 15. 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 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 Air Combat Command's 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. -- Ed Hamill, pilot of the Air Force Reserves Biplane, performs at the 2007 Eglin Air Show April 15. His aerial acrobatics, Living the Dream air show, dives and rolls through three acts: Barnstormers, Competitors and Skydancers. The routine began with a tribute to the first flight at Kitty Hawk, N.C., and finishes with a skydancing performance. (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 make their grand entrance to the 2007 Eglin Air Show April 15 to the surprise of the on-looking crowd. 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 spectators away April 15 as the Thunderbirds performed in front of thousands of spectators to culminate the air show. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

Taxiing Thunderbird

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds taxi down the runway here April 14 in preparation for the practice show. 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 spectators away April 15 as the Thunderbirds preformed in front of thousands of spectators to culminate the air show. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

Thunderbird takeoff

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds prepare for take-off here April 14 in preparation for the practice session of the 2007 Eglin Air Show. 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 spectators away April 15 as the Thunderbirds preformed in front of thousands of spectators to culminate the air show. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

Golden Knights jump

OVER EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- U.S. Army Cpl. Ben Borger prepares Sgt. Ryan Ray, Sgt. 1st Class Paul Sachs and Sgt. Drew Starr, all members of the U.S. Army Parachute Team "Golden Knights" black team, for their jump at the air show practice April 14. The practice show was the only jump the team made due to an April 15 severe weather cancellation of the air show and winds exceeding 20 mph gusts April 16. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

Golden Knights jump

OVER EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Joe Jones, tandem team freefall videographer, leads Bill Pearson, Channel 3 out of Pensacola, Fla., to the rear of the C-41 for his first leap from an airplane in a tandem jump with the U.S. Army Parachute Team "Golden Knights" aerial demonstration team April 14 at the Eglin air Show practice. The practice show was the only jump the team made due to an April 15 severe weather cancellation of the air show and winds exceeding 20 mph gusts April 16. Sergeant Jones has logged more than 3,500 freefall jumps, 400 tandem and 50 military static line jumps in his military career. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

Thunderbird re-enlistment

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Tech. Sgt. Roger Mitchell, 29th Training Systems Squadron, redirects his daughter back to his wife in the moments before his re-enlistment ceremony April 14. Lt. Col. Kevin Robbins, U.S. Air Force Thunderbird commander, administered the enlisted oath to seven Eglin members before the Eglin practice air show. The other Eglin members re-enlisting in the Air Force are: Tech. Sgt. Travis L. Harrington, 46th Weather Squadron; Tech. Sgt. Destry Skweres, 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron; Staff Sgt. Chassity Ware, 33rd Maintenance Group; Staff Sgt. Cory Riley, 780th Test Squadron; Staff Sgt. Dale Sowers, 96th Communications Squadron; and Airman 1st Class John Henry, 96th Logistics readiness Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

Golden Knights jump

OVER EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- U.S Army Sgt. Matt Acord is the last to lave the starboard side of the U.S. Army Parachute Team "Golden Knights" C-41 during a jump at the air show practice April 14. The practice show was the only jump the team made due to an April 15 severe weather cancellation of the air show and winds exceeding 20 mph gusts April 16. Sergeant Acord has performed more than 1,290 freefall jumps. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

Golden Knights jump

OVER EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- U.S Army Staff Sgt. Marc Owens, U.S. Army Parachute Team "Golden Knights" aerial demonstration team freefall videographer, watches as fellow members of the team prepare to jump from the C-41 aircraft April 14. Sergeant Owens is wearing a specially designed helmet equipped with a digital camera and a video camera to document the jump over Eglin. The practice show was the only jump the team made due to an April 15 severe weather cancellation of the air show and winds exceeding 20 mph gusts April 16. Sergeant Owens is in his fifth year with the Golden Knights and has made more than 2,000 freefall jumps in his Army career. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

Golden Knights jump

OVER EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- U.S. Army Sgt. First Class Paul Sachs, U.S. Army Parachute Team "Golden Knights" aerial demonstration team black team leader, takes one final look at the drop zone below the C-41 before being the first of the demonstration team to leap from the plane April 14 during the practice show. The practice show was the only jump the team made due to an April 15 severe weather cancellation of the air show and winds exceeding 20 mph gusts April 16. Sergeant Sachs is in his seventh year with the Golden Knights and has made more than 2,700 freefall jumps and has his High Altitude Low Opening, or HALO, wings. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

Reptile Rangers

CAMP RUDDER, Fla. -- Reptile education is a part of the U.S. Army Ranger training at the 6th Ranger Training Battalion. Visitors to the 2007 Open House will get a hands-on look at some of the reptiles the Rangers work with on a day-to-day basis. The 6th RTB, stationed at Auxiliary Field 6 on the Eglin Air Force Base military reservation, will be hosting a 5k and 10k race prior to the Ranger Camp's annual Open House event May 6. Demonstrations will include rappelling, weapons, parachute as well as boat and reptile displays. (U.S. Air Force photo by Matt Clutter)

Geronimo!

CAMP RUDDER, Fla. -- A U.S. Army Ranger instructor at the 6th Ranger Training Battalion leaps off the rappel tower during a previous Ranger Open House. The 6th RTB, stationed at Auxiliary Field 6 on the Eglin Air Force Base military reservation, will be hosting a 5k and 10k race prior to the Ranger Camp's annual Open House event May 6. Demonstrations will include rappelling, weapons, parachute as well as boat and reptile displays. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

'Just pull the trigger'

CAMP RUDDER, Fla. -- U.S. Army Ranger Staff Sgt. Timothy Mason holds the M-4 rifle for three-year old Brandon Emerick while Carlos Duncan, Brandon's great grandfather, helps him squeeze the trigger during a previous Ranger Open House. The 6th RTB, stationed at Auxiliary Field 6 on the Eglin Air Force Base military reservation, will be hosting a 5k and 10k race prior to the Ranger Camp's annual Open House event May 6. Demonstrations will include rappelling, weapons, parachute as well as boat and reptile displays. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

A perfect fit

CAMP RUDDER, Fla. -- U.S. Army Private 1st Class Joe Berrian and U.S. Army Spc. Berti Pascual help David Mangers buckle into a full set of Army Ranger gear used during airborne operations. The parachute display is only one of several displays that the 6th Ranger Training Battalion will have during the annual Ranger Open House. The 6th RTB, stationed at Auxiliary Field 6 on the Eglin Air Force Base military reservation, will be hosting a 5k and 10k race prior to the Ranger Camp's Open House event May 6. Other demonstrations will include rappelling and weapons as well as boat and reptile displays. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

'Nine-O-Nine'

DESTIN, Fla. -- First Lt. Dan Montes, Air Force Research Laboratory at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., completed a skydive jump from a B-17 Flying Fortress named "Nine-O-Nine" March 3. The B-17, serial number 44-83575, was restored to its original wartime configuration by the Collings Foundation, a non-profit educational foundation founded in 1979. Its purpose is to restore antique American vehicles and enable Americans to learn more about their heritage through "living history" events. Since 1989, the foundation began to include aviation related events to include the "Wings of Freedom Tour" of WWII aircraft. (Courtesy photo)

'Nine-O-Nine'

DESTIN, Fla. -- A skydiver prepares to touch down on the Emerald Coast landing zone of Noriega Point at Destin Harbor after leaping from the bomb bay of a B-17 Flying Fortress named "Nine-O-Nine." The World War II aircraft is named by the Collings Foundation in honor of a 91st Bomb Group, 323rd Squadron plane of the same name which completed 140 missions without an abort or loss of a crewman. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Dan Montes)