Calm before

Just after noon March 9, the skies over Eglin Air Force Base were dark and ominous prior to the downpour of rain that followed the rest of the day. Thunderstorms roared through the region all day. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Humbling experience

Master Sgt. Gregory Miller, 46th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, earned the Bronze Star Medal Feb. 25, for mentoring over 64 Afghan National Army soldiers in the management of munitions during his year deployment to Herat, Afghanistan.The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. (U.S. Air Force photo/Sachel Seabrook)

Lighting up the dark

The fiery sword at the center of the Nomad Memorial burned bright through the foggy morning Feb. 18 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The memorial was constructed to honor the 105 wounded personnel and 12 Airmen who lost their lives during the Khobar Towers bombing. June 25 will mark the 15th anniversary of the tragedy. (U.S. Air Force Photo/ Samuel King Jr.)

Aspiring artist

Abbie Break concentrates on coloring her thank you card Feb. 16 at Shalimar Elementary. First grade students made cards for local retired service-members who were injured during their time of service. More than 90 thank you cards will be handed out at the VFW Post 7674 in Fort Walton, Beach, Fla., Feb. 21st. (U.S. Air Force photo/Sachel Seabrook)

Thank You

A first grade student carefully colors a thank-you card Feb. 16 at Shalimar Elementary. First grade students made cards for local retired service-members who were injured during their time of service. More than 90 thank you cards will be handed out at the VFW Post 7674 in Fort Walton, Beach, Fla., Feb. 21st. (U.S. Air Force photo/Sachel Seabrook)

Good job

Airman 1st Class Jonathan Sanchez, 46th Maintenance Squadron, takes a look at 7-year-old Christopher Jackson's thank you card Feb. 16 at Shalimar Elementary. First grade students made cards for local retired service-members who were injured during their time of service. More than 90 thank you cards will be handed out at the VFW Post 7674 in Fort Walton, Beach, Fla., Feb. 21st. (U.S. Air Force photo/Sachel Seabrook)

Club grand opening slated

Bill Holland feeds cable that will update the club’s audio/visual capabilities. The club’s grand opening is scheduled for March 4. (USAF photo/Lois Walsh)

Club grand opening slated

Eddie Rodriguez scrapes wallpaper from a room in the club that is undergoing renovations. The club’s grand opening is scheduled for March 4. (USAF photo/Lois Walsh)

Man's best friend

Veteran Jerry Bell spends time petting Patience Feb. 14 during her visit to 'The Manor' at Blue Water Bay in Niceville, Fla. Patience joined more than 200 Eglin Airmen who presented homemade valentines to local retirement home residents. (U.S. Air Force photo/Sachel Seabrook)

Spreading the love

Airman 1st Class Norman Hitosis, 96th Force Support Squadron, visits with Jean Kidd during a Feb. 14 visit to 'The Manor' at Blue Water Bay in Niceville, Fla. The 82-year-old former civil servant at Eglin said she appreciated the gifts. Airman Hitosis joined more than 200 Eglin Airmen who presented homemade valentines to local retirement home residents. (U.S. Air Force photo/Sachel Seabrook)

On the side

Trojans players watch as a foul shot is taken by the Falcons at the Northwest Florida Special Olympics basketball championship Feb. 4 at Eglin's Fitness Center. The Trojans beat the Falcons 16-8. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Sachel Seabrook)

Up Top

Coach Don Holland high fives his Falcon team during halftime at the Northwest Florida Special Olympics basketball championship Feb. 4 at Eglin's Fitness Center. Trojans beat the Falcons 16-8. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Sachel Seabrook)

First graders receive robotic visit

Tech. Sgt. Steven Bailey, 366th Training Squadron, Det.3, shows students how the arms of the Remotec Andros F6A robot move at Rocky Bayou Christian School Dec. 17. The Explosive Ordnance Disposal instructor served as a Friday mystery guest for the 1st grade class, where his daughter is a student. (U.S. Air Force photo/Sachel Seabrook)

Firefighters "adopt" family

Eglin firefighters unload an SUV full of presents in the driveway of a family they "adopted" from Bruner Middle School, Fort Walton Beach, Fla. Master Sgt. Christy Skerrett center, has worked with her career field's professional organization for 10 years providing Christmas gifts to needy family. It has become an Eglin Fire and Emergency Services annual tradition to gather each other's resources and provide for a family during the holidays. (Courtesy photo)

Bubbling over

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - Biodegradable foam spilled out into to the parking area in front of the Air Force F-35 Joint Strike Fighter hangar Dec. 1 after testing the new building's fire suppression system. Particularly for fire suppression in areas where petroleum can be present, foam works fastest and fills the most volume. The wing has to ensure the hangars for each F-35 variant meet those service specific fire suppression needs and agents. (U.S. Air Force photo/Sachel Seabrook)

Suds

Paul Shutt, contract manager of the Simplex Grinnell Testing Co., moves out of a hangar full of biodegradable foam after testing the new fire suppression system in the newly constructed Air Force F-35 JSF hangar here Dec. 1. Particularly for fire suppression in areas where petroleum can be present, foam works fastest. It took less than five minutes for the six foam generators to fill the 77,000 square foot hangar with more than three feet of foam. Experts said it could reach the rafters but, for the purpose of completing a series of inspections to certify the new construction ready for use, the test was a success. (U.S. Air Force photo/Sachel Seabrook)

The Perfect Gift

Parents rummaged through the piles of toys, puzzles, baby dolls and games to find the perfect gift for a special child at the toy distribution at the Airman's Attic Dec. 2. Over 2,400 toys were given out to 502 children. (U.S. Air Force photo/Sachel Seabrook)

So Many Options

Parents rummaged through the piles of toys, puzzles, baby dolls and games to find the perfect gift for a special child at the toy distribution at the Airman's Attic Dec. 2. Over 2,400 toys were given out to 502 children. (U.S. Air Force photo/Sachel Seabrook)

New toy

One-year-olds Dylan Cline and Jalynn Anderson get up close and personal with a 6th Ranger Training Battalion snake at the Child Development Center Fall Festival Nov.10. The annual festival celebrated the Month of Military Families. (U.S. Air Force photo/Sachel Seabrook)

Gator greeting

Two-year-old Adalyn Zuber get up close and personal with Carlos, the 6th Ranger Training Battalion’s alligator at the Child Development Center Fall Festival Nov. 10. The annual festival celebrated the Month of Military Families. (U.S. Air Force photo/Sachel Seabrook)

Father-son time

2nd Lt. Nicholas Brewer shares a moment with his dad, Master Sgt. Mark Olsen at his retirement ceremony. The F-15 Eagle Avionics technician retired after 22 years of service. (U.S. Air Force photo/Sachel Seabrook)

JMRC, joint and coalition partners prep IBCT for Afghanistan mission

Soldiers from the 170th IBCT from Baumholder, Germany, conduct a patrol with air-ground support from the Czech Republic and Germany as they trained for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan during a recent exercise in Hohenfels, Germany. (Casey Bain, JFIIT, USJFCOM)

The Mist

Senior Airman Dominique Walker, 96 Air Base Wing staff, receives the flu nasal mist Oct. 12 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The 2010-2011 flu vaccine will protect against 2009 H1N1, and two other influenza viruses (an H3N2 virus and an influenza B virus). The active duty vaccine line is scheduled for Oct. 18-22 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the 9th Special Operations Squadron auditorium. (U.S. Air Force photo/Sachel Seabrook)

A Shot of Flu

Tech. Sgt. Larue Holliday, 96 Air Base Wing staff, receives the flu shot Oct. 12 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The 2010-2011 flu vaccine will protect against 2009 H1N1, and two other influenza viruses (an H3N2 virus and an influenza B virus). The active duty vaccine line is scheduled for Oct. 18-22 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the 9th Special Operations Squadron auditorium. (U.S. Air Force photo/Sachel Seabrook)