Down the rope

CAMP RUDDER, Fla. -- U.S. Army Soldiers from the 6th Ranger Training Battalion slide down a rope out of a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter during a downed-pilot rescue demonstration at 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)

Up and over

CAMP RUDDER, Fla. -- Two U.S. Army Soldiers from the 6th Ranger Training Battalion demonstrate hand-to-hand combat 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)

Parachute education

CAMP RUDDER, Fla. -- U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Brent Steinhaus, 6th Ranger Training Battalion instructor, shows Nick, Alex and Theo DeLeon how the parachutes the Army Rangers use works 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)

'Galactic Guardian'

This drawing by Christian J. Calimlim entitled "Galactic Guardian" 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)

'C-130 Lightning'

This untitled photograph by Tech. Sgt. Anthony Petruzzi 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 Tech. Sgt. Anthony Petruzzi)

'A Welcoming Shadow'

This photograph taken by Chelsi M. Huntz entitled "A Welcoming Shadow" 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 Chelsi M. Huntz)

Untitled

This untitled photograph by Kaitlyn Ducharme 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)

'Pouncing White Tiger'

This photograph taken by Dani Jo Cook entitled "Pouncing White Tiger" 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 Dani Jo Cook)

'Just Chillin'

This photograph taken by Gregg A. Thomas entitled "Just Chillin'" 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 Gregg A. Thomas)

Season opener

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Neil Orness, Air Force Research Laboratory pitcher, delivers the first pitch of the 2007 intramural softball season to Brent Batten, 796th Civil Engineer Squadron, April 30. The AFRL blasted past their opponent 18-5. 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)

DFAS returns to Internet home

The Defense Finance and Accounting Service is returning to its original World Wide Web location May 1. The DFAS Web site will shift to www.dfas.mil from its current location within the Department of Defense domain at www.dod.mil/dfas. They provide finance and accounting services to the men and women who defend America. DFAS pays more than 5.9 million people and in the Fiscal Year 2006 made seven million travel payments, paid 13.8 million commercial invoices, managed an average of $424 billion in disbursements to pay recipients and managed $255 billion in military retirement and health benefits funds. For more about DFAS visit www.dfas.mil.

Hurricane preparedness

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Florida Governor Charlie Crist signed into law House Bill 211 establishing a sales tax holiday from June 1 through June 12, 2007, for hurricane preparedness items April 30. Governor Crist encouraged all Floridians to update their disaster plans and to use the tax holiday during the first 12 days of June as an opportunity to restock their disaster supply kits. For more information on the 2007 Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday or to find information on building a customized family or business disaster plan, visit www.FloridaDisaster.org or www.myflorida.com. (U.S. Air Force illustration by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)