Testing readiness

Staff Sgt. Angela Dawson, 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, zip-ties a plastic sleeve to a C-bag during a readiness exercise, April 21 at undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. The plastic sleeve will hold a form 1297 hand receipt with the inventory of the C-bag listed. The 380th ELRS ran the exercise to test the timeliness and capability for redeployment of Airmen. Sergeant Dawson is deployed from Eglin AFB, Fla. and hails from Tallahassee, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brian J. Ellis) (Released)

Testing readiness

Staff Sgt. Deandrea Dorsey and Airman 1st Class Venus Owens, 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, verify serial numbers on body armor plates against numbers on form 1297's for accountability during a readiness exercise, April 21 at undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. The 380th ELRS ran the exercise to test the timeliness and capability for redeployment of Airmen. Sergeant Dorsey is deployed from Hurlburt Field, Fla. and hails from West Memphis, Ark. Airman Owens is deployed from Eglin AFB, Fla. and is from Azle, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brian J. Ellis) (Released)

Testing readiness

Staff Sgt. Bianca Cox, 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, packs chemical boots into a C-bag for Staff Sgt. Michelle Gamble, 380th ELRS as she processes through a deployment line during a readiness exercise, April 21 at undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. The 380th ELRS ran the exercise to test the timeliness and capability for redeployment of Airmen. Sergeant Cox is deployed from Eglin AFB, Fla. and hails from Hampton, Va. Sergeant Gamble is deployed from Holloman AFB, N.M. and hails from Spring Hill, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brian J. Ellis) (Released)

Testing readiness

Staff Sgt. Bianca Cox, 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, brings chemical boots out to an Airman processing a deployment line during a readiness exercise, April 21 at undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. The 380th ELRS ran the exercise to test the timeliness and capability for redeployment of Airmen. Sergeant Cox is deployed from Eglin AFB, Fla. and hails from Hampton, Va. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brian J. Ellis) (Released)

Keeping the fuel flowing

Staff Sgt. Jayson Torres, 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, fuels lab technician, samples a fuel from an R-11 fuel truck for solids and water, April 4 at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. Sergeant Torres is deployed from Eglin AFB, Fla. and hails from Lubbock, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brian J. Ellis) (Released)

Guardians of the 380th AEW

SOUTHWEST ASIA - Airman 1st Class Ryan Reak, 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, entry controller opens a gate for a vehicle to pass, Mar 21. Security Forces members man gates at critical areas ensuring no unauthorized people enter, keeping the areas safe for other Airman to complete their mission. Airman Reak is deployed from the 96th Security Forces Squadron, Eglin AFB, Fla. and hails from Pensacola, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brian J. Ellis) (Released)

Special Ops Weatherman receives The Purple Heart and USAF Combat Action Medal

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, FL -- Commander of Air Force Special Operations Command, Lt. Gen. Donny Wurster, pins the Air Force Combat Action Medal to Senior Airman Alex Eudy's shirt during an informal ceremony at the hospital here Feb. 3. Airman Eudy also received The Purple Heart for injuries he received during his deployment in Afghanistan. An improvised explosive device destroyed the vehicle he and five other U.S. military members were traveling in Jan. 23. All six survived the attack. Airman Eudy, a special operations weatherman in the 10th Combat Weather Squadron at Hurlburt Field, FL, is on the mend and in good spirits after extensive surgery to his lower legs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Chief Master Sgt. Ty Foster)

Memorial held for fallen EOD Airman

BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq -- Airmen remember their fallen comrade, Tech. Sgt. Anthony Capra, during a memorial service April 12, here. Tech. Sgt. Anthony Capra, was a 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician, who died in support of combat operations April 9. Sergeant Capra was posthumously awarded a Bronze Star, first Oak Leaf Cluster, for his heroic actions during his deployment. According to his medal citation, Sergeant Capra?s actions ensured the safety and freedom of movement for more than 41,000 coalition forces, multi-national contractors and local nationals. He contributed to the recovery and destruction of more than 24,000 pieces of ordnance weighing more than 26,000 pounds. Sergeant Capra was deployed from Indian Head Naval Ordnance Station, Md., Detachment 63. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Julianne Showalter.)

?A turn for the good?

KABUL, Afghanistan -- Maj. Michael Walters, an Airman filling an in-lieu-of position for the Army, plays with an Afghan child during a volunteer community relations trip to the Dar ul Aman displaced persons camp. The camp is located on the outskirts of Kabul and hosts more than 100 families living in a bombed out apartment high-rise. The VCR trips allow servicemembers to team up with international food organizations to deliver rice, tea and clothing among other goods.

Kabul

KABUL, Afghanistan ? An Afghan boy stands looking out over his home in the ?city of shimmering hopes,? a subsection of Kabul shortly after being let out from school Jan. 9, 2007. Most of the homes in this historic section of Kabul are falling apart because they took one of the heaviest tolls during the fight for the city by the war lords, the Russian occupation and the Taliban rule.

Ramp revamp

SATHER AIR BASE, Iraq -- Tech. Sgt. Freddie Garrette pours freshly mixed concrete into a 100 square foot spall repair area Oct. 6 while Tech. Sgt. Jeff Jones, center, smoothes the edges and Senior Airman Wilson Quinante brushes the surface of a smoothed section to give it an anti-skid surface. The 447th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron Heavy Equipment Operations “Dirt Boys” repair damaged surface areas on the airfield here each Saturday morning. The team gets an early start, often working before sunrise, to beat the daytime high temperatures, which helps ensure a proper mixture cure time and a stronger slab. The team must also work quickly to limit the amount of time airfield operations are affected while repairs are done. Sather AB is the busiest airfield in Iraq, averaging 4,000 transient aircraft activities each month. Sergeant Garrette is deployed from the Tennessee Air National Guard. Sergeant Jones is deployed from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. Airman Quinante is deployed from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (Staff Sgt. Jennifer Lindsey)

Ramp revamp

SATHER AIR BASE, Iraq -- Senior Airman Wilson Quinante brushes over newly poured concrete to even out the surface and give it a rough finish for anti-skid purposes, as Tech. Sgt. Jeff Jones uses a 2-by-4-inch board as a scree to push forward and smooth the mixture in the ramp area for repair. The 447th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron Heavy Equipment Operations “Dirt Boys” repair damaged surface areas on the airfield here each Saturday morning. The team gets an early start, often working before sunrise, to beat the daytime high temperatures, which helps ensure a proper mixture cure time and a stronger slab. The team must also work quickly to limit the amount of time airfield operations are affected while repairs are done. Sather AB is the busiest airfield in Iraq, averaging 4,000 transient aircraft activities each month. Airman Quinante is deployed from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (Staff Sgt. Jennifer Lindsey)

All secure

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Airman 1st Class Christopher Michaud, 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron elite entry controller, performs a security operations check at the base entry control point here Oct. 15. Airman Michaud is from Titusville, Fla., and is deployed from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tia Schroeder)

All secure

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Airman 1st Class Christopher Michaud, 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron elite entry controller, performs a security operations check at the base entry control point here Oct. 15. Airman Michaud is from Titusville, Fla., and is deployed from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tia Schroeder)

Flightline Security

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Tech. Sgt. Rebecca Pash, 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron plans and programs, performs a security operations check of the flightline here Oct. 13. Sergeant Pash is deployed from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tia Schroeder)

Flightline Security

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Tech. Sgt. Rebecca Pash, 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron plans and programs, performs a security operations check of the flightline here Oct. 13. Sergeant Pash is deployed from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tia Schroeder)

Safe and Clear

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Tech. Sgt. Rebecca Pash, 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron plans and programs, performs a clearing check of an M-4 rifle with the assistance from Tech. Sgt. Chris Malenius here Oct. 13. Sergeant Pash is deployed from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tia Schroeder)

Airmen in Afghanistan pay tribute to Air Force anniversary

Tech. Sgt. Kirby Pyka and Senior Master Sgt. Elma Taylor raise the Air Force flag during a ceremony as part of the service's 60th Anniversary celebration Sept. 14 at Camp Eggers in Kabul. Both are with the Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan's logistics directorate. Sergeant Taylor is deployed from McGuire Air Force Base, N.J. and Sergeant Pyka's home station is Eglin AFB, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Cortchie Welch)

Welcome home!

Staff Sgt. John Quinley holds his son, Gabriel, after he arrived at the Okaloosa Regional Airport. Sergeant Quinley was one of approximately forty 96th Security Forces Squadron personnel who returned from deployment this past weekend.

Air Force surgeons perform first successful free-flap surgery at Bagram hospital

Surgical team members Maj. (Dr.) Christopher Dress, Maj. (Dr.) Dmitry Tuder and Airman 1st Class Angelia Sneed perform a free-flap operation on a 9-year-old girl suffering from a badly mangled leg. The procedure was the team's first free-flap operation at the Craig Joint Theater Hospital at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Welcome home!

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla.-- Staff Sgt. Brad Mitchell, 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron, talks to Col. Theresa Giorlando, 96th Mission Support Group commander, after returning from deployment. His daughters, Katlyn and Myla, look on. Sergeant Mitchell, and other members of the squadron, were deployed for almost nine months to Kandahar, Afghanistan, as convoy drivers. Master Sgt. Gregory Pocaigue, Tech Sgts. Lorri Mayes and Travis Laws and Senior Airmen Joseph Fougerousse, Tarrick Jackson and Kurt Weiss also returned home. (Photo by Lois Walsh)

Eglin Airmen return from deployment

Jeni Zayas spends a few longed-for moments with her husband, Master Sgt. Roberto Zayas, shortly after he arrived home May 24 to Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., from a deployment to Southwest Asia. Family members gathered at Eglin AFB to welcome home more than 175 members of the 728th Air Control Squadron from a deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)