728th return home

Friends and family welcomed home more than 200 members of the 728th Air Control Squadron Jan. 17. The Airmen, who arrived from Southwest Asia, provide command and control of joint air operations by conducting surveillance, identification, weapons control, battle management and theater communications data link. (U.S. Air Force photo/Lois Walsh)

728th return home

Capt. Frank Azaravich hugs his son after returning home Jan. 17. Friends and family welcomed home more than 200 members of the 728th Air Control Squadron. The Airmen, who arrived from Southwest Asia, provide command and control of joint air operations by conducting surveillance, identification, weapons control, battle management and theater communications data link. (U.S. Air Force photo/Lois Walsh)

Eglin Airman deployed

U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Daniel Heise performs receive signal level checks on the digital modem and adjusting the receiver frequency as part of his duties as the NCO-in-charge for the tropospheric scatter element for Alpha Battery, 1-44 Air Missile Defense Battalion at the 387th Air Expeditionary Group, Nov. 12, at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. The communications terminal allows the Patriot Missile Battery to receive and transmit radio and data traffic to the launch control battery at a different location. Heise is currently deployed from the 728th Air Control Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Carlotta Holley)

Eglin Airman deployed

U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Philip M. Chapman signs a form stating that he entered the cash cage at the beginning of the day as part of his duties as an paying agent at the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, Nov. 2, 2011, at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. Chapman is currently deployed from the 96th Comptroller Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Carlotta Holley)

Cable guy!

Staff Sgt. Andrew Lewis (left) and Senior Airman Jose Cortez, Detachment 1, 73rd Expeditionary Air Control Squadron, install a satellite dish at Camp Etchberger. Once installed, the new dish will allow the televisions in the camp to connect to the armed forces network. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Master Sgt. Jeffrey Allen)

All clear

Tech. Sgt. Todd Lavender, Detachment 1, 73rd Expeditionary Air Control Squadron, makes sure the area behind the mine resistant ambush protected vehicle remains clear while the back door is opened. The Airmen use the MRAP as their primary convoy vehicle. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Master Sgt. Jeffrey Allen)

Violence in Iraq is down, just ask EMEDS

KIRKUK REGIONAL AIR BASE, Iraq – Tech. Sgt. Eric Person, 321st Expeditionary Medical Squadron radiology technician, uses a portable X-ray machine on a patient May 11. The 321st EMEDS is the principal surgical unit for American forces in all of northern Iraq, treating military and civilian patients alike. Sergeant Person, originally from Phenix City, Ala., is deployed from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (U.S. photo by Tech. Sgt. Randy Redman)

Violence in Iraq is down, just ask EMEDS

KIRKUK REGIONAL AIR BASE, Iraq – 1st Lt. Stephanie Englmeier, 321st Expeditionary Medical Squadron operating room nurse, attaches electrodes to a patient’s chest to check for vital signs May 11. The 321st EMEDS is the principal surgical unit for American forces in all of northern Iraq, treating military and civilian patients alike. Lieutenant Englmeier, originally from Augres, Mich., is on her first-ever deployment from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (U.S. photo by Tech. Sgt. Randy Redman)

Combat truckers

This was what was left after an improvised explosive device hit the vehicle Staff Sgt. Jacob Sutton, 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron, was travelling in during a convoy operation in 2004. When they deploy, Eglin’s vehicle operators shift gears from bus drivers and dispatchers to “combat truckers” hauling critical cargo in convoys to and from Iraq. (Courtesy photo)

Combat truckers

Senior Airman Michelle Wamsley, 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron, stands by her vehicle during her recent deployment in 2010. When they deploy, Eglin’s vehicle operators shift gears from bus drivers and dispatchers to “combat truckers” hauling critical cargo in convoys to and from Iraq. (Courtesy photo)

Eglin Airman marshals planes

Staff Sgt. Korey Cornelis directs a C-17 airplane to its designated location on the flight line, Feb. 24, at Ali Air Base, Iraq.

Capturing Combat

Tech. Sgt. Stacia Zachary, U.S. Air Forces Central Combat Camera combat correspondent, takes notes as she covers Joint Terminal Air Control airmen from the 807th Air Support Operations Squadron, Forward Operating Base Lagman. The NCO is deployed from Team Eglin Public Affairs, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Sergeant Zachary, an award-winning PA journalist, was selected to serve with Combat Camera personnel who deploy to the most austere environments at a moment's notice to capture still and motion imagery of military operations. The Airmen she is covering in this picture were making sure a dirt landing zone in the Zabul province of Afghanistan was safe for a cargo carrying C-130 Hercules to land and provided the aircrew with any pertinent information via radio communications. The aircrew was delivering needed cargo for one of the nearby military outposts. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Adrian Cadiz)

Lt wins Turkey Run

KHOWST PROVINCE, Afghanistan - 1st Lt. Joseph Czarbaranek, Air Force Research Lab, currently deployed to Task Force Silver Fox, unmanned aerial vehicle officer in charge, crosses the finish line first with a time of 17:51 at the Thanksgiving Day 5K Run at Forward Operating Base Salerno Nov. 25. (U.S. Army Photo/ Pfc. Chris McKenna)

Bronze

Lt. Col. Scott Moore, 29th Training Systems Squadron, was recently awarded the Bronze Star for his efforts during his last year-long deployment. (Courtesy photo)

In country

Leah Ransom, Air Force Research Lab contracting specialist, recently deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan. Her voluntary deployment took her through combat training, immunizations and transient housing. She worked contracts for fuel and supplies for the Afghan military and police. (Courtesy photo.)

Battle ready

Leah Ransom, Air Force Research Lab contracting specialist, recently deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan. Her voluntary deployment took her through combat training, immunizations and transient housing. She worked contracts for fuel and supplies for the Afghan military and police. (Courtesy photo.)

Tagging

Deploying members of the 728th Air Control Squadron fill out baggage tags for their luggage prior to loading March 11 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The bags are loaded by squadron members being left behind on this rotation. The 728th sent almost half their squadron in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, some of whom had just returned from deployment in September 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Load up

Deployment bags are loaded in the back of a transfer truck March 11 for the members of the 728th Air Control Squadron prior to their deployment from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The bags are loaded by squadron members being left behind on this rotation. The 728th sent almost half their squadron in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, some of whom had just returned from deployment in September 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

In the valley

Dr. Charles Merkel, 53rd Wing historian, was the first civilian to deploy from his wing. The doctor served with the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Doctor Merkel, while on active duty in the Army, flew helicopters during the Vietnam War. (Courtesy photo)

Guest speaker

Dr. Charles Merkel, (left) 53rd Wing historian, was the first civilian to deploy from his wing. The doctor served with the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Doctor Merkel, while on active duty in the Army, flew helicopters during the Vietnam War. (Courtesy photo)

Vehicle Maintenance

U.S. Air Force Technical Sgt. Damien Moody, 407th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle maintenance technician inspects the engine of a humvee at Ali Base, Iraq Feb. 9, 2010. Tech. Sgt. Moody is deployed from the 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Miguel Lara III/Released)

Major award

Maj. Nathan Dawn, Detachment 1, 53rd Test Management Group, was awarded the Bronze Star for his efforts during his deployment to Afghanistan working as the air command and control advisor for the Afghan Ministry of Defense. (Courtesy photo)

Combat historian

Dr. Chuck Merkel, 53rd Wing historian, waits for a helicopter ride to Zabul, Afghanistan during his six-month deployment. The doctor joined the 451st Expeditionary Wing, Kandahar Afghanistan, in September as a combat historian. Doctor Merkel also served as a helicopter pilot in the Army during the Vietnam War. (Courtesy photo.)

Seeing it live

Air Force Capt. William Cooke, deployed from Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City, Fla., watches NBC Channel 11 Alive news stories leading up to the live Web cast of his sons' graduation along with NBC Baghdad reporter Kianne Sadeq. In addition to viewing the ceremony online, Cooke's image was transmitted from Al-Faw Palace, Baghdad, back to the Whitewater High School football field in Fayetteville, Ga., so he could be a part of the graduation. Cooke is serving a six-month tour assigned to Multi-National Forces -- Iraq, Camp Victory. (U.S. Army photo/Master Sgt. Michael Daigle)