Beam it up

Tech Sgt. Shannon Calhoun, (left) and Sgt. Jacob Stull (far right), members of the 33rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, assist volunteers in placing a part of the roof on the new Fisher House gazebo Jan. 27. The $10,000, 10- by 20-foot gazebo was donated by retired Air Force Col. Bill Mann and his family. The Fisher House is one of a network of donated comfort homes built on major military bases and Veterans Administration centers, where families can stay while a loved one is receiving medical treatment. (U.S. Air Force photo/Kevin Gaddie)

Building to care

Col. Antonio Douglas, the 96th Air Base Wing vice-commander, is joined by Levi Howard and Kayla Watkins in cutting the ribbon at the new Child Development Center Jan. 13 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Kevin Gaddie)

46th Ops gives

The 46th Test Wing’s operations group adopted 14 needy families from Bruner Middle School and provided them with food and gifts for the holidays. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

46th Ops gives

Chief Master Sgt. Robert Boyer, from the 46th Operations Group, checks out Joltan Williams’ new remote control corvette Dec. 15 at Bruner Middle School. Squadrons from the 46th Operations Group adopted 14 needy families from the school and provided them with food and gifts for the holidays. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

46th Ops gives

1st Lt. Jason Sutherlin, of the 413th Flight Test Squadron, places gift bags for a family in need Dec. 15 at Bruner Middle School. Squadrons from the 46th Operations Group adopted 14 needy families from the school and provided them with food and gifts for the holidays. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Joint Strike Santa

About 240 military and civilian parents from the Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force and their children from across the 33d Fighter Wing gathered for the wing's children’s Christmas party Dec. 10 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Dianne Bitzes)

Santa Claus

Santa vists with a child at the West Gate chapel Dec. 2 after the official tree lighting ceremony at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The ceremony included carols sung by Eglin Elementary students and the announcement of the Christmas card contest winners. (U.S. Air Force photo/Sachel Seabrook)

Christmas at Eglin

Members of the Eglin community look on as the official Eglin tree is lit at the West Gate chapel Dec. 2. The ceremony included carols sung by Eglin Elementary students and the annoucement of the annual Christmas card contest winners. (U.S. Air Force photo/Sachel Seabrook)

Black Wednesday

Families began lining up as early as 4 a.m. outside the Airman’s Attic for the 8th annual toy distribution Nov. 30. More than 4,000 toys were donated for the event, helping more than 200 families in the Eglin community. (U.S. Air Force photo/Sachel Seabrook)

A helping hand

Erika Pinola receives help picking out a toy for her three children from a volunteer at the 8th annual toy distribution Nov. 30 at the Airman’s Attic. Members of all services up to the grade of E-5, lined up to find the perfect gift for their children. More than 4,000 toys were donated for the event, helping more than 200 families in the Eglin community. (U.S. Air Force photo/Sachel Seabrook)

MWD memorial

Staff Sgt. Brandon Hardy, of the 96th Security Forces Squadron, salutes his fallen friend, Military Working Dog IQ, during a memorial ceremony at the Air Force Armament Museum, Dec. 1. IQ died unexpectedly Nov. 6 of bloat, a stomach condition. He joined the Air Force in March 2010 and came to Eglin in Nov. 2010. He was fully trained and qualified by Hardy in May. At the memorial, Hardy said IQ’s name fit him perfectly and he served his country well. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

MWD memorial

Staff Sgt. Donald Nachand, a 96th Security Forces Squadron dog handler, and his K-9, Jimmy, attended the military working dog memorial ceremony held for IQ, one of Eglin’s K-9s, at the Air Force Armament Museum, Dec. 1. IQ died unexpectedly Nov. 6 of bloat, a stomach condition. He joined the Air Force in March 2010 and came to Eglin in Nov. 2010. He was fully trained and qualified by his partner, Staff Sgt. Brandon Hardy, of the 96th SFS, in May. At the memorial, Hardy said IQ’s name fit him perfectly and he served his country well. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)