Fit test

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - Tre Hutchings tests out an Air Force gas mask with the help of a 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron member during Operation Hero Oct. 22 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Eglin organiztions showed children training and procedures their parents would go through during a deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo/2nd Lt. Andrew Caulk.)

CFC reaches midpoint

During the base Combined Federal Campaign mid-campaign rally, Col. Sal Nodjomian, 96th Air Base Wing commander, tells key workers and coordinators to take extra time and care when asking for donations Oct. 20. (Courtesy photo)

We're gonna need a bigger hammer

A 96th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter grabs a hammer while others open the front door during the car extraction demonstration at Eglin’s base exchange Oct. 8. The firefighters demonstrated how quickly they can open up a car to free a trapped victim of an accident. The demonstration closed out fire prevention week at Eglin. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Keyless entry

Staff Sgt. Tim Llewellyn, 96th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, uses the “jaws of life” tool to open a door during the car extraction demonstration at Eglin’s base exchange Oct. 8. The firefighters demonstrated how quickly they can open up a car to free a trapped victim of an accident. The demonstration closed out fire prevention week at Eglin. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Extraction

Joseph Stein, 96th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, calls for a piece of equipment during the car extraction demonstration at Eglin’s base exchange Oct. 8. The firefighters demonstrated how quickly they can open up a car to free a trapped victim of an accident. The demonstration closed out fire prevention week at Eglin. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Dead lift

Maj. Mike Borders, 96th Security Forces Squadron, lifts the 125-pound dummy during the first sergeants vs commanders’ challenge Oct. 7 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The challenge represented the physical training course new Airmen must accomplish to become Air Force firefighters. The course included hose carrying, dragging and pulling, victim carry and climbing 10 steps up a ladder five times and more. Major Borders had the overall best time, completing the course in four minutes, eight seconds. The shirts beat the commanders for a second year by a full minute with a combined time of 18 minutes, 11 seconds. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Dragging a line

Maj. David Osterman, 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron, pulls a hose back to the line during the first sergeants vs commanders’ challenge Oct. 7 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The challenge represented the physical training course new Airmen must accomplish to become Air Force firefighters. The course included hose carrying, dragging and pulling, victim carry and climbing 10 steps up a ladder five times and more. The shirts beat the commanders for a second year by a full minute with a combined time of 18 minutes, 11 seconds. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Lift with the legs

Senior Master Sgt. Chris McKinney, 46th Weather Squadron, lifts a fire truck tire during the first sergeants vs commanders’ challenge Oct. 7 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The challenge represented the physical training course new Airmen must accomplish to become Air Force firefighters. The course included hose carrying, dragging and pulling, victim carry and climbing 10 steps up a ladder five times and more. The shirts beat the commanders for a second year by a full minute with a combined time of 18 minutes, 11 seconds. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Bring it back

Master Sgt. Mike Hager, 33rd Maintenance Squadron, strains to pull the hose back to the line during the First Sergeants vs commanders’ challenge Oct. 7 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The challenge represented the physical training course new Airmen must accomplish to become Air Force firefighters. The course included hose carrying, dragging and pulling, victim carry and climbing 10 steps up a ladder five times and more. Sergeant Hager was the first on the course and had the best time among the shirts with four minutes 23 seconds. The shirts beat the commanders for a second year by a full minute with a combined time of 18 minutes, 11 seconds. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Hammer swing

Staff Sgt. Tim Llewellyn, 96th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, brings the hammer down while demonstrating one of the challenges during the during the first sergeants vs commanders’ challenge Oct. 7 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The challenge represented the physical training course new Airmen must accomplish to become Air Force firefighters. The course included hose carrying, dragging and pulling, victim carry and climbing 10 steps up a ladder five times and more. The shirts beat the commanders for a second year by a full minute with a combined time of 18 minutes, 11 seconds. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Spillage

Senior Airman Bruce Bennett and Airman 1st Class William Parente, 96th Civil Engineer Group, pass buckets of water over their heads during the Fire Muster Challenge Oct. 4 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Teams competed in the challenge that included a ladder and hose carry, fire engine pull, and water relay. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Moving the truck

An Airman from the base fire department demonstrates the fire engine pull during the Fire Muster Challenge Oct. 4 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Teams competed in the challenge that included a ladder and hose carry, fire engine pull, and water relay. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Brace for impact

Airman 1st Class Demetrius Sharpe, 96th Comptroller Squadron, gets drenched during the Fire Muster Challenge Oct. 4 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Teams competed in the challenge that included a ladder and hose carry, fire engine pull, and water relay. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Good to go

Capt. Maria Borders, 96th Civil Engineer Squadron, gives the thumbs-up after being dressed out in the fire suit first during the Fire Muster Challenge Oct. 4 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Teams competed in the challenge that included a ladder and hose carry, fire engine pull, and water relay. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Tug-o-war

Senior Airman Nickolas Cox, 96th Civil Engineer Squadron, leads his team in pulling a base fire truck during the Fire Muster Challenge Oct. 4 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Teams competed in the challenge that included a ladder and hose carry, fire engine pull, and water relay. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Out of reach

Senior Airman Nickolas Cox, 96th Civil Engineer Squadron, reaches out trying to find the exit door of the C-130 while in full fire gear and blindfolded during the commanders’ challenge event Oct. 4 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Base leaders and a partner had to enter the aircraft and find a simulated victim while blindfolded and in fire gear. The exercise was to demonstrate first-hand what Air Force firefighters experience in the event of a fire. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Gear up

Col. Sal Nodjomian, 96th Air Base Wing commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Tom Westermeyer, 96th command chief, gear up prior to entering the commanders’ challenge event Oct. 4 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Base leaders and a partner had to enter the aircraft and find a simulated victim while blindfolded and in fire gear. The exercise was to demonstrate first-hand what Air Force firefighters experience in the event of a fire. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Touch & go

Team members feel their way through the C-130 looking for the victim while blindfolded during the commanders’ challenge event Oct. 4 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Base leaders and a partner had to enter the aircraft and find a simulated victim while blindfolded and in fire gear. The exercise was to demonstrate first-hand what Air Force firefighters experience in the event of a fire. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Strategy

Col. Sal Nodjomian, 96th Air Base Wing commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Tom Westermeyer, 96th command chief, discuss their strategy prior to entering the commanders’ challenge event Oct. 4 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Base leaders and a partner had to enter the aircraft and find a simulated victim while blindfolded and in fire gear. The exercise was to demonstrate first-hand what Air Force firefighters experience in the event of a fire. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Suited up

Col. Michael Brewer, 46th Test Wing commander (foreground) and his executive officer, Capt. Nicholas Coleman, prepare to enter the C-130 for the commanders’ challenge event Oct. 4 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Base leaders and a partner had to enter the aircraft and find a simulated victim while blindfolded and in fire gear. The exercise was to demonstrate first-hand what Air Force firefighters experience in the event of a fire. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Briefing command

Toby Higgins, 46th Test Wing Plans Office, briefs Dr. Steve Butler, Executive Director, Air Force Materiel Command, on the wing’s latest technology during the Air Armament Symposium. This year's 36th annual two-day symposium highlighted topics vital to national and international defense interests. Speakers from joint services and Air Force major commands shared the common thread of working together in a changing acquisition world. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

CSAF speaks at Symposium

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz speaks to an audience of industry and government personnel at the Air Armament Symposium in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., Oct. 5. General Schwartz spoke about the need for efficiency, versatility and flexibility to create the decisive air and space power that is the trademark of the Air Force. This year's 36th annual two-day symposium highlighted topics vital to national and international defense interests. Speakers from joint services and Air Force major commands shared the common thread of working together in a changing acquisition world. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Greatest Generation

Veterans at the Bob Hope Village received Patriot Medallions of Honor and Remembrance during a ceremony Sept. 30 at the Air Force Enlisted Village. Also pictured, former Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force, James Binnicker and Maj. Gen. C.R. Davis, Air Armament Center commander. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Greatest Generation

Sue Lell, a Navy Waves veteran from 1944-46, receives a Patriot Medallion of Honor and Remembrance during a ceremony Sept. 30 at the Air Force Enlisted Village. She worked in mail room decryption. Also pictured, former Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force, James Binnicker and Maj. Gen. C.R. Davis, Air Armament Center commander. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)