'Nine-O-Nine"

DESTIN, Fla. -- The B-17 Flying Fortress known as the "Nine-O-Nine" is the aircraft that that 1st Lt. Dan Montes, Air Force Research Laboratory, jumped out of to experience "living history" during a recent skydive. The aircraft, restored to its original wartime configuration, 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)

Feet first

DESTIN, Fla. -- First Lt. Dan Montes, Air Force Research Laboratory, 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 fully-restored vintage 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)

Falcons reach NIT final four in NYC

Falcon guard Matt McCraw, 5, fans and teammates celebrate Air Force's 52-51 win over DePaul March 21 at Clune Arena. The victory earned the bluesuiters a berth in the NIT semifinals in New York City's Madison Square Garden March 27 against Clemson. (U.S. Air Force photo/Danny Meyer)

Falcons reach NIT final four in NYC

The Bird sticks a landing during a timeout at the Air Force/DePaul NIT quarterfinal game March 21 at Clune Arena. The Falcons edged the Blue Demons 52-51 for a berth in the NIT semifinals in New York City's Madison Square Garden March 27 against Clemson. (U.S. Air Force photo/Danny Meyer)

Early morning workout

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Jim Swisher, U.S. Military Academy Crew Team assistant coach, corrects the form of a men's novice crew squad member during an early morning workout March 13. The Army crew team is split up into four squads: men's varsity and novice, and women's varsity and novice. The team is here during their spring break to practice in the warmer Florida temperatures. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

Early morning workout

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Jim Swisher, U.S. Military Academy Crew Team assistant coach, communicates to the men's varsity and novice squads through a thick fog on the Choctawhatchee Bay during an early morning workout March 13. The fog forced them to leave the bay and head for safer waters in the local bayous. The Army crew team is split up into four squads: men's varsity and novice, and women's varsity and novice. The team is here during their spring break to practice in the warmer Florida temperatures. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

Early morning workout

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- U.S. Army Maj. Shelly Raymond, U.S. Military Academy Crew Team men's varsity and novice crew squad coach, and assistant coach Jim Swisher communicates to the squads during a early morning workout in Boggy Bayou March 13. The team is split up into four squads: men's varsity and novice, and women's varsity and novice. The team is here during their spring break to practice in the warmer Florida temperatures. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

Early morning workout

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- U.S. Army Maj. Shelly Raymond, U.S. Military Academy Crew Team men's varsity and novice crew squad coach, communicates to the squads during a early morning workout on the Choctawhatchee Bay March 13. The team is split up into four squads: men's varsity and novice, and women's varsity and novice. The team is here during their spring break to practice in the warmer Florida temperatures. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

Early morning workout

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The fog rolls in over the water as the Eric Munn (senior), U.S. Military Academy Crew Team men's novice squad, climbs in the boat at Postal Point during an early morning workout March 13 in Choctawhatchee Bay. The team is split up into four squads: men's varsity and novice, and women's varsity and novice. The team is here during their spring break to practice in the warmer Florida temperatures. The men's varsity squad was ranked 20th in the nation at the end of last season. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

Early morning workout

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The reflection of U.S. Military Crew Team cadets Dominic Senteno (sophomore), Josh Watson (senior) and Keil Towns (junior) is seen on the back side of an ore during practice in Boggy Bayou March 13. The West Point, N.Y., cadets are split up into four squads: men's varsity and novice, and women's varsity and novice. The team is here during their spring break to practice in the warmer Florida temperatures. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

Pressure cleaning

SHALIMAR, Fla. -- Julie Ballaro, Eglin Women?s Heritage Month committee, sponsored a service day at the Bob Hope Village recently. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Women's History Month

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Sandy Oestreich, Florida Equal Rights Alliance president, speaks at the "kick off" for Women's History Month at the Officers' Club, March 7. Her topic of conversation was "Generations of Women Moving History Forward." (U.S. Air Force photo)

The Singing Sergeants

The Singing Sergeants

Singing Sergeants

WASHINGTON -- This quartet from the U.S. Air Force Band Singing Sergeants wows the audience at Daughters of the AmericanRevolution Constitution Hall, in Washington D.C., with a collection of songs by the Manhattan Transfer. The Singing Sergeants is scheduled to perform at Okaloosa Walton College Arts Center April 22 at 3 p.m. (USAF photo/Senior Airman Michael Holzworth)

The Quesenberry's

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Capt. Stephen Quesenberry, his wife, Natalie and children: Sophia, age 9; Scarlett, age 7; and Veronica, age 11, were rewarded for their dedication to their community with a trip to Disney World and a night in Cinderella's Suite at the Magic Kingdom Park in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Jan. 26 through 28. They wrote an essay to enter the "Year of a Million Dreams" Celebration essay contest and were selected from entries of 14 eligible military bases throughout the state. The essay was about their contribution to enriching the lives of the local military community. (photo by Melissa Leonard, Walt Disney marketing)

Grand Marshal's dream

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The Quesenberry family were Grand Marshals in the parade at the Magic Kingdom in January. They wrote an essay to enter the "Year of a Million Dreams" Celebration essay contest and were selected from entries of 14 eligible military bases throughout the state. The essay was about their contribution to enriching the lives of the local military community. (photo by Melissa Leonard, Walt Disney marketing)

Fighter spirit

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Col. Russ Handy, 33d Fighter Wing Commander, explains the workings of the F-15C Eagle?s 20mm Gatling gun Feb. 26 to Riley Woina, 14, from Connecticut, who was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. Riley spent Feb. 19-24 at Eglin Air Force Base with the 6th Ranger Training Battalion as part of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. (USAF photo by Staff Sgt. Bryan Franks)

Fighter Spirit

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Col. Russ Handy, 33d Fighter Wing Commander, presents his commander?s coin to Riley Woina, 14, from Connecticut. Riley, diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, was granted a week with the 6th Ranger Training Battalion and Eglin Airmen through the Make-A-Wish Foundation Feb. 19-24. (USAF photo by Staff Sgt. Bryan Franks)

Ranger spirit

CAMP RUDDER, Fla. -- Riley Woina, 14, from Connecticut, fires a M-249 at the 6th Ranger Training Battalion here Feb. 20. Riley, diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, was granted a week with the 6th Ranger Training Battalion and Eglin Airmen through the Make-A-Wish Foundation Feb. 19-24. (U.S Army photo by Army Capt. Jeremiah Cordovano)

Ranger Spirit

CAMP RUDDER, Fla. -- U.S. Army Spc. Kipper Connell, 6th Ranger Training Battalion armorer, help Riley Woina, 14, from Connecticut, load a M-249 Feb 20. Riley, diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, was granted a week with the 6th Ranger Training Battalion and Eglin Airmen through the Make-A-Wish Foundation Feb. 19-24. (U.S Army photo by Army Capt. Jeremiah Cordovano)

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla.

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. — Lt. Col. Kathy Lauden, Air Armament Center chief of automation, pricing and support division in contracting, was promoted Aug. 31 in Iraq and televised live here for her family and co-workers to witness. Deployed as the Joint Contracting Command chief of the electricity sector, Colonel Lauden was surprised to see her family, husband Maj. Mike Lauden, 699th Armament Systems Flight chief, daughter Delaney, and her parents Leo and Kiyoko Henley there to see her promotion to lieutenant colonel. Delaney and Major Lauden are pictured in the foreground. (Air Force photo by Craig McDonnell)

Shocker

Lightning strikes like this one in Las Cruces, N.M., can happen here at Eglin Air Force Base. When “lightning within five” is annouced Airmen should take cover as quickly as possible. Smoke shacks and sun shades do not provide adequate cover. (U.S. Air Force photo/Edward Aspera Jr.)