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)