Khobar Tower memorial

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- On the 13th anniversary of terrorist bombing of Khobar Towers bombing, members of the 33rd Fighter Wing gathered June 25 to honor the lives of fallen comrades. In commemoration, personnel lit the five-foot flaming steel sword in the center of the memorial that represents the wing's insignia. Joined with their commander and visiting surviving family members laid flowers and a wreath during a short ceremony at the memorial on Nomad Way here. On the night of June, 25 1996, in Saudi Arabia, 12 of the 19 Airmen who lost their lives during the bombing were deployed from the 33rd FW. They represented a cross-section of the wing as crew chiefs, expeditors, weapons loaders, mechanics, production superintendents, program managers, and technicians. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Mike Fleck)

Khobar Tower memorial

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- On the 13th anniversary of terrorist bombing of Khobar Towers bombing, members of the 33rd Fighter Wing gathered June 25 to honor the lives of fallen comrades. Joined with their commander and visiting surviving family members, they laid flowers and a wreath during a short ceremony at the memorial on Nomad Way here. On the night of June, 25 1996, in Saudi Arabia, 12 of the 19 Airmen who lost their lives during the bombing were deployed from the 33rd FW. They represented a cross-section of the wing as crew chiefs, expeditors, weapons loaders, mechanics, production superintendents, program managers, and technicians. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Mike Fleck)

Pilots withstand SERE training

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – Pilots undergo hoist recovery training during a Survival Evasion Resistance Escape training exercise June 26 at Post’l Point. The training was a water continuation course which included a parachute drag, smoke flare and raft living procedures. Pilots must undergo continuation training every three years. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman Anthony Jennings)

Pilots withstand SERE training

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Lt. Col. Todd Miller, Headquarters Air Force Material Command, takes off his gear after completing raft living procedures during a Survival Evasion Resistance Escape training exercise for pilots June 26 at Post’l Point. The training was a water continuation course which included a parachute drag, smoke flare procedures and recovery hoist training. Pilots must undergo continuation training every three years. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman Anthony Jennings)

Pilots withstand SERE training

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Staff Sgt. Benjamin Rosciglione, 33rd Operations Support Squadron, demonstrates the proper way to use a smoke flare during a Survival Evasion Resistance Escape training exercise for pilots June 26 at Post’l Point. The training was a water continuation course which included a parachute drag, raft living procedures and recovery hoist training. Pilots must undergo continuation training every three years. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman Anthony Jennings)

Playgrounds ready for summer fun

Courtney and Kaitlyn Looney climb on the new playground equipment on Chinquapin Drive. Three new playgrounds are now open for children living in base housing. (USAF photo/Lois Walsh)

Martial arts members demonstrate defense tactics

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – Kuk Sool Won martial arts members demonstrate hand-to-hand combat during the Asian Pacific American Heritage Luncheon May 26, at the enlisted club. The exhibition included defense tactics, sword demonstration, sparring and grappling and a royal-courts martial arts demo, incorporating fans as a distraction to the opponent. The luncheon provided the opportunity to witness some of the Asian and Pacific Islander heritage with Thai and Filipino Kayumanggi dance demonstrations and even a fashion show. The 2009 Asian Pacific American Heritage Month commemorates the contributions of people of Asian and Pacific Islander descent to the United States. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman Anthony Jennings)

Martial arts members demonstrate defense tactics

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – Kuk Sool Won martial arts members demonstrate hand-to-hand combat during the Asian Pacific American Heritage Luncheon May 26, at the enlisted club. The exhibition included defense tactics, sword demonstration, sparring and grappling, and a royal-courts martial arts demo, incorporating fans as a distraction to the opponent. The luncheon provided the opportunity to witness some of the Asian and Pacific Islander heritage with Thai and Filipino Kayumanggi dance demonstrations and even a fashion show. The 2009 Asian Pacific American Heritage Month commemorates the contributions of people of Asian and Pacific Islander descent to the United States. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman Anthony Jennings)

Indulging in heritage

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – Phra Jeerasak, a Buddhist monk, loads his plate during the Asian Pacific American Heritage Luncheon May 26, at the enlisted club. The luncheon provided the opportunity to witness some of the Asian and Pacific Islander heritage. The event showcased Thai and Filipino Kayumanggi dance demonstrations, Kuk Sool Won martial arts demo, and even a fashion show. The 2009 Asian Pacific American Heritage Month commemorates the contributions of people of Asian and Pacific Islander descent to the United States. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman Anthony Jennings)

Taste of Asia

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Staff Sgt. James Lawrence, 796th Civil Engineer Squadron emergency manager, loads his plate at the Taste of Asia event at the Weekly Pond Pavilion May 20. The event was in celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and provided the opportunity for attendees to experience authentic Asian cuisine. Some of the food served included a Thai friendship dessert, a Guamanian meat dish call Kelaguin, different variations of fried lumpia rolls, and Korean Beef Bulgogi. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman Anthony Jennings)

Reigns of AAC passes over

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Chief Master Sgt. Christopher McCollor, 96th Mission Support Group command chief, holds the 96th Air Base Wing guide-on during the Air Armament Center change-of-command ceremony May 1. Maj. Gen. Charles R. Davis took command of the Air Armament Center from Maj. Gen. David Eidsaune during the ceremony. The change-of-command ceremony is a time-honored military tradition symbolizing the continuity of authority as command is passed from one individual to another. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman Anthony Jennings)

Reigns of AAC passes over

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Capt. Lorena Bell, Air Armament Center, salutes Col. Michelle Miller-Peck, 308th Armament Systems Wing commander, during the AAC change-of-command ceremony May 1. Maj. Gen. Charles Davis took command of the AAC from Maj. Gen. David Eidsuane during the ceremony. The change-of-command ceremony is a time-honored military tradition symbolizing the continuity of authority as command is passed from one individual to another. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman Anthony Jennings)

Earth Day event inspires next generation

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Jada Bard (touching), and Ciara Lewis get exposure to some of the wildlife that exist in the Northwest Florida ecosystem at the Earth Day event hosted at Cherokee Elementary School April 20. The event was designed to give children the opportunity to get hands-on experience with animals they normaly wouldn't get to see and learn the importance of protecting the environment. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman Anthony Jennings)

Earth Day event inspires next generation

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- (right to left) Talani McLaughlin (touching), Tyler Honda, Kaitlynn Kerr and Madison Bezner get exposure to some of the wildlife that exist in the Northwest Florida ecosystem at the Earth Day event hosted at Cherokee Elementary School April 20. The event was designed to give children the opportunity to get hands-on experience with animals they normaly wouldn't get to see and learn the importance of protecting the environment. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman Anthony Jennings)

JSF breaks ground

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Kevin Billings, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Logistics, speaks at agroundbreaking ceremony, marking the beginning of construction of the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter training facility began after a March 20, here. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman Anthony Jennings)

JSF breaks ground

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Kevin Billings, Maj. Gen. David Eidsaune, Maj. Gen Erwin Lessel, Maj Ge. Charles Davis, Brig. Gen Jon Davis, Rear Adrmiral David Philman, Don Searles, State Senator Don Gaetz and State Representative Ray Sansom break ground marking the beginning of construction of the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter training facility began after a March 20, here. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman Anthony Jennings)

Keeping fit key factor for continued health

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Children play a game of basketball at the Eglin Youth Center March 5. Keeping active is a important factor to maintaining a healthy life. FitFactor, a U.S. Air Force Services Family Member Programs initiative, promotes physical activity and healthy eating selections for youth between the ages of 6-18. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman Anthony Jennings)

Securing pandemic

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Airman 1st Class Donald Bacha, 96th Security Forces, stands guard ensuring tight security at the Eglin Fitness Center during an exercise Feb. 4, preventing the spread of a simulated pandemic of a form of the pneumonic plague. As a result of the simulated plague, the base hospital became the main Triage Site where medical personnel diagnosed the potentially infected. Patients identified as infected were taken to the Eglin Fitness Center for additional surveillance and isolation to prevent further spread of the pandemic. These exercises are conducted at Eglin to maintain constant mission and emergency readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Anthony Jennings)

Containing the spread

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Master Sgt. Sandra Sondergeld, 96th Air Base Wing Medical Group, prepares to take her medication for her simulated infection of the pneumonic plague Feb. 4, during an exercise at the Eglin Fitness Center. As a result of the simulated plague, the base hospital became the main Triage Site where medical personnel diagnosed the potentially infected. Patients who were identified as infected were taken to the Eglin Fitness Center additional surveillance and isolation to prevent further spread of the plague. These exercises are conducted at to maintain constant mission and emergency readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Anthony Jennings)

Containing the spread

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Master Sgt. Sandra Sondergeld, 96th Air Base Wing Medical Group, simulates the effects from an infection of the pneumonic plague Feb. 4, during an exercise at the Eglin Fitness Center. As a result of the simulated plague, the base hospital became the main triage site where medical personnel diagnosed the potentially infected. Patients who were identified as infected were taken to the Eglin Fitness Center additional surveillance and isolation to prevent further spread of the plague. These exercises are conducted at Eglin to maintain constant mission and emergency readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Anthony Jennings)

TOOLS OF THE EOD FLIGHT TRADE

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. This tool is used on small screws on explosives components. The EOD Flight at Eglin has the additional responsibility to support developmental testing on base and had the fabrication shop create a handle so it could be used in the gripper of the double articulated arms attachment of the All Purpose Remote Transportations System. (U.S. Air Force photo by Noel Getlin)

HANDLING WARHEADS

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. Explosive Ordnance Disposal robots of the 96th Civil Engineer Group EOD Flight must be able to manipulate small screws, like this one shown on a warhead of a submunition. The flight has adapted tools in order to accommodate their mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Noel Getlin)

EXTRA ARMS

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. The double articulated arms attachment is ready for use on the All Purpose Remote Transportation System. The ARTS is the workhorse ROBOT of the 96th Civil Engineer Group Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight. (U.S. Air Force photo by Noel Getlin)

ELEMENTARY EOD

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. Senior Airman Anthony DeMarino, EOD Flight robotics journeyman, shows where a warhead would be placed in a BLU 108 submunition. The EOD robots are tasked with separating explosives from other components after testing so that development corporations may study findings. (U.S. Air Force photo by Noel Getlin)