Moment of silence

Firefighters with the 96th Civil Engineer Squadron, reflect on the day during a moment of silence held prior to a 9/11 memorial stair climb at Duke Field, Sept. 11. Thirteen firefighters commemorated the occasion by continuously climbing the steps of the ATC tower to simulate the 110-flight climb of the World Trade Center. The firefighters hung red, white and blue streamers with the names of the 343 fallen firefighters along the tower as they climbed. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Samuel King Jr.)

Morning glory

Red, white and blue streamers sway in the breeze from the air traffic control tower at Duke Field Sept. 11. They were attached to the tower by 96th Air Base Wing firefighters during the first ever 9/11 memorial stair climb at Duke Field. Thirteen firefighters commemorated the occasion by continuously climbing the steps of the ATC tower to simulate the 110-flight climb of the World Trade Center. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Samuel King Jr.)

A new star

Newly-ranked Brig. Gen. David Harris, Air Armament Center vice commander, receives the oath of office from Maj. Gen. C.R. Davis, the AAC commander, during his one-star pin-on ceremony Aug. 19 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

A new star

Members of the base honor guard unfurl the one-star flag to be presented to Brig. Gen. David Harris, the Air Armament Center vice commander, during his pin-on ceremony Aug. 19 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

1st salute

Maj. Gen. Kenneth Merchant salutes his wings for the first time as commander of the Air Armament Center during his change of command ceremony at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Aug. 19. Merchant took command of the center from Maj. Gen. Charles R. Davis. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Major generals

Outgoing commander, Maj. Gen. Charles R. Davis and incoming commander, Maj. Gen. Kenneth Merchant, sit together during the Air Armament Center change of command ceremony at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Aug. 19. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Fair game

A little princess tries one of the many games at the medieval faire at the Eglin youth center July 29. The “faire” was the culmination of the 2011 “A Midsummer Knight’s Read,” program held by the base library. More than 180 children, parents, knights and ladies attended. (U.S. Air Force photo/Randy Gon)

Knight attack

Armored knights Cody Beard, Mike Heath and Kendra Henley, battle to the death in front of the children and parents attending the medieval faire at the Eglin youth center July 29. The “faire” was the culmination of the 2011 “A Midsummer Knight’s Read,” program held by the base library. More than 180 children, parents, knights and ladies attended. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Armed

A mother admires her child’s new coat-of-arms tattoo at the medieval faire at the Eglin youth center July 29. The “faire” was the culmination of the 2011 “A Midsummer Knight’s Read,” program held by the base library. More than 180 children, parents, knights and ladies attended. (U.S. Air Force photo/Randy Gon)

Ringer

A child tries her luck at the ring toss during the medieval faire at the Eglin youth center July 29. The "faire' was the culmination of the 2011 “A Midsummer Knight’s Read,” program held by the base library. More than 180 children, parents, knights and ladies attended. (U.S. Air Force photo/Randy Gon)

In the wings

Eglin honor guard stands ready to post the colors at the 33rd Maintenance Group change of command ceremony July 22 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Col. Mark Fluker took command of the group from Marine Col. Laura Sampsel. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Flight command

Maj. Steven Oliver, the 33rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander, stands in front of his flight during the 33rd Maintenance Group change of command ceremony July 22 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Col. Mark Fluker took command of the group from Marine Col. Laura Sampsel. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Final salute

Marine Col. Laura Sampsel gives her final salute to her squadrons during the 33rd Maintenance Group change of command ceremony July 22 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Col. Mark Fluker took command of the group from Sampsel. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

New CC

Col. Mark Fluker accepts the 33rd Maintenance Group guidon from Col. Andrew Toth, the 33rd Fighter Wing commander, during the group’s change of command ceremony July 22 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Marine Col. Laura Sampsel, who relinquished command, stands behind. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Chief

Chief Master Sgt. Robert Boyer, 46th Operations Group, holds the wing guidon as his new commander, Col. Colin Miller, speaks during the wing’s change of command ceremony July 22 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Formation 46

Members of the 46th Test Wing stand at parade rest prior to the wing’s change of command ceremony July 22 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Col. Colin Miller took command of the wing from Col. Michael Brewer. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Present arms

Group banners are displayed during a presentation of arms as part of the 46th Test Wing change of command ceremony July 22 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Col. Colin Miller took command of the wing from Col. Michael Brewer. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

guide on

A group guidon for the 46th Test Wing stands at the ready during a quiet moment at the wing change of command ceremony July 22 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Col. Colin Miller took command of the wing from Col. Michael Brewer. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Naval EOD student dorms groundbreaking

Leaders from the Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal School and others officially break ground during a ceremony July 8 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The location will be the site of new EOD student dorms. The truly "purple" project is Navy funded, managed by the Army Corps of Engineers and located on an Air Force base and will be home to students from all four branches of the military. Col. Sal Nodjomian, the 96th Air Base Wing commander, said he was excited for the future EOD students, who will experience outstanding living conditions and quality of life improvements. He applauded the planners and designers of the project, as the new facility will be constructed to stringent energy-saving criteria. (U.S. Air Force photo/Sachel Seabrook)

Overwatch

F-16s from the 33rd Fighter Wing fly in a missing-man formation over the Khobar Towers Memorial June 24 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. June 25 marks the 15th anniversary of the tragic bombing that killed 19 service members including 12 33rd FW Airmen. Each year, a ceremony is held by the Nomads to commemorate their brothers who’ve “ceased their wandering.” (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Eternal flame

The Khobar Towers eternal flame monument and memorial wall at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., were dedicated one year after the tragedy June 25, 1996. Each year, a ceremony is held by the 33rd Fighter Wing Nomads to commemorate their brothers who’ve “ceased their wandering.” (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Carrying the colors

Eglin Air Force Base honor guard bring in the colors during the Khobar Towers Memorial ceremony June 24. June 25 marks the 15th anniversary of the tragic bombing that killed 19 service members including 12 33rd FW Airmen. Each year, a ceremony is held by the Nomads to commemorate their brothers who’ve “ceased their wandering.” (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Nomad Memorial

Flowers were placed for each of the fallen 33rd Fighter Wing Nomads at the Khobar Towers Memorial June 24 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. June 25 marks the 15th anniversary of the tragic bombing that killed 19 service members including 12 33rd FW Airmen. Each year, a ceremony is held by the Nomads to commemorate their brothers who’ve “ceased their wandering.” (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Fun in a kayak

Kayak enthusiasts return from a water trip at the Team Eglin Picnic at Post’l Point June 10. Eglin personnel and their families enjoyed an afternoon complete with food, beverages and activities, including a water slide, bouncy house, climbing wall, face painting and horseback riding. (U.S. Air Force photo/Kevin Gaddie)