Snake handlers

Capt. Adam Marsh, 6th Ranger Training Battalion, lets an airshow patron pet one of the many specimens at the snake exhibit April 10 at the Eglin 75th Anniversary Air Show. More than 125,000 were in attendance April 10-11, enjoying a variety of aerial performances and static displays. This was Eglin’s first open house since 2007 and was timed to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the installation. The Thunderbirds, Army Black Daggers, an F-22A Raptor demo and "Tora, Tora, Tora" were some of the highlights of the event. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Anthony Jennings.)

Above it all

Evan, 2-year-old son of Tech. Sgt Thomas Carter, 1st Special Operations Communications Squadron, watches the show from on high April 10. More than 125,000 were in attendance during the 75th Anniversary Air Show April 10-11, enjoying a variety of aerial performances and static displays. This was Eglin’s first open house since 2007 and was timed to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the installation. The Thunderbirds, Army Black Daggers, an F-22A Raptor demo and "Tora, Tora, Tora" were some of the highlights of the event. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Anthony Jennings.)

Easter best

Cecelia, Aubree and Emmett, children of Capt. Greg Voth, 689th Armament Systems Squadron, attended the annual Easter Egg Roll event at the White House April 5. Team Eglin warriors and their families were invited to particpate in the event. (Courtesy photo.)

Found one

Emmett, 3-year-old son of Capt. Greg Voth, 689th Armament Systems Squadron, finds an egg during the during the Easter Egg Roll event at the White House April 5. Team Eglin warriors and their families were invited to particpate in the event. (Courtesy photo.)

Standing ovation

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The crowd applaudes the Thunderbirds after their performance April 9 here. The weekend airshow drew more than 70,000 people each day. The T-birds headlined the show. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Bird watching

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The crowd stares up as the Thunderbird F-16s roar overhead April 9 here. The weekend airshow drew more than 70,000 people each day. The T-birds headlined the show. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

New recruit

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- A new Air Force recruit tries the flight cap on for size while waiting for the Thunderbirds show April 9 here. The weekend airshow drew more than 70,000 people each day. The T-birds headlined the show. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Bird watching

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Kathleen Skaggs, 89-year-old widower from Bob Hope Village tries to find the Thunderbirds in the blue yonder over Eglin, April 9. The weekend airshow drew more than 70,000 people each day. The T-birds headlined the show. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Tighten up

Lionel Easler tightens down the lugs on "monster" tires of his truck "The Instigator," April 9 in preparation for the weekend airshow at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The truck was on display with the Air Force Reserve recruiting booth. Mr. Easler has been driving monster trucks for five years and competes in about 35 truck shows a year. This was the first airshow however for the Florida native. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Samuel King Jr.)(U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Samuel King Jr.)

Rolling Reserve

Lionel Easler rolls the "monster" tires into place on his truck "The Instigator," April 9 in preparation for the weekend airshow at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The truck was on display with the Air Force Reserve recruiting booth. Mr. Easler has been driving monster trucks for five years and competes in about 35 truck shows a year. This was the first airshow however for the Florida native. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Samuel King Jr.) (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Samuel King Jr.)

Ready for takeoff

Milissa Evans watches as her husband Jason Evans prepares to taxi during his incentive flight with the Thunderbirds April 8 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Mr. Evans was selected as the "Hometown Hero" and received a ride in a Thunderbird F-16. (U.S. Air Force photo/2nd Lt. Andrew Caulk.)

Good luck

Jason Evans gets a "good-luck" handshake from a Thunderbirds maintainer April 8 prior to his incentive flight at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Mr. Evans was selected as the "Hometown Hero" and received a ride in a Thunderbird F-16. (U.S. Air Force photo/2nd Lt. Andrew Caulk.)

Running with hope

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – The Torch of Hope is passed among members of the 96th Security Forces Squadron and Ground Combat Training Squadron during the 12th Annual Florida Torch Run, March 31. The event is a grassroots program supported by local police departments as a fundraiser for the Special Olympics. The Niceville Police Department handed the Torch of Hope to 96th SFS who then handed it to Fort Walton Beach Police Department. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman 1st Class Anthony Jennings)

Running with hope

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – (left to right) Master Sgt. Todd Coning, 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron, Master Sgt. Michael Bullard and Tech. Sgt. Gabriel Gonzalez, 96th Security Forces Squadron, carry the torch and guide-on during the 12th Annual Florida Torch Run, March 31. The event is a grassroots program supported by local police departments as a fundraiser for the Special Olympics. The Niceville Police Department handed the Torch of Hope to 96th SFS who then handed it to Fort Walton Beach Police Department. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman 1st Class Anthony Jennings)

Retiring old glory

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – Thirty-one female Airmen from various units across the base stand in formation while Bldg. 1 members salute the flag during a retreat ceremony in honor of Women’s History Month March 31, here. Thirty-one female Airmen participated in the ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo/ 2nd Lt. Andrew Caulk)

Paying respect

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – Tech. Sgt. Christina Day, 96th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, salutes the American flag during an all-female retreat ceremony in honor of Women’s History Month March 31, here. Thirty-one female Airmen participated in the ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo/ 2nd Lt. Andrew Caulk)

Cornered

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Tech. Sgt. Christina Day, 96th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, passes the corners of the American flag to members of her detail during an all-female retreat ceremony in honor of Women’s History Month March 31, here. Thirty-one female Airmen participated in the ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman 1st Class Anthony Jennings)

Tightly tucked

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – (left to right) Staff Sgt. Kerry Bush, 96th Force Support Squadron, Tech. Sgt. Christina Day, 96th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, and April Robinson, 96th Medical Support Squadron, fold the flag during an all-female retreat ceremony in honor of Women’s History Month March 31, here. Thirty-one female Airmen participated in the ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman 1st Class Anthony Jennings)

Team Eglin winners

Team Eglin held its annual awards banquet March 10 at the officers club. The base recognized its best enlisted, officers and civilians for 2009. The winners are: Senior Airman Kyle Massengale, 96th Air Base Wing, (Airman); Tech. Sgt. Michael Becker, 96th ABW, (NCO); Master Sgt. Lisa Buckman, 96th ABW, (SNCO); Master Sgt.Harold Carnley III, 46th Test Wing, (first sergeant); Capt. Robert Carden, 308th Armament Systems Wing, (CGO); Lee Tomlinson 46th TW, (Cat 1); Trinia Townes, 96th ABW, (Cat 2); Michael Borish, 46th TW, (Cat 3); Karla Parish, 96th ABW, (Cat 4); Shawn Goodrich, Air Force Research Lab, (Cat 5)

96th ABW award winners

The 96th Air Base Wing held its annual awards banquet March 5 at the officers club. The wing recognized its best enlisted, officers and civilians for 2009. The winners are: Senior Airman Kyle Massengale, 96th Civil Engineer Group (Airman); Tech. Sgt. Michael Becker, 96th CEG, (NCO); Master Sgt. Lisa Buckman, 96th Mission Support Group, (SNCO); Master Sgt. Robert Proctor, Jr., 96th Communications Group, (first sergeant); Capt. Ann Marie Puttbrese, 96th Medical Group, (CGO); Timothy Sandlin, 96th MSG, (Cat 1); Trinia Townes, 96th MDG, (Cat 2); Carl Henderson, 96th MDG, (Cat 3); Karla Parish, 96th MDG, (Cat 4); Marisol Reina, 96th CEG, (Cat 5).

Sales pitch

(Left) Jim Miller, retired command sergeant major, talks to a potential client about his Smartronix products at the Small Business open house March 3 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Approximately 45 vendors turned out to exhibit their products and capabilities to government purchasers. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Talented

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – Crystal McGregor receives flowers after winning the Eglin’s Got Talent Show in the Enlisted Hall, Feb. 27. The event was in celebration of African American Heritage Month. Ten contestants competed for an audience of more than 200, to be chosen as Eglin’s most talented performer. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman 1st Class Anthony Jennings)

Get loud

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- A crowd cheers on their favorite performer during the Eglin’s Got Talent Show in the Enlisted Hall, Feb. 27. The event was in celebration of African American Heritage Month. Ten contestants competed for an audience of more than 200, to be chosen as Eglin’s most talented performer. Crystal McGregor won, walking away with a $100 prize. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman 1st Class Anthony Jennings)

Dance fever

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Airman 1st Class Jerod Chandler, 96th Security Forces Squadron, performs a dance routine during the Eglin’s Got Talent show in the Enlisted Hall, Feb. 27. The event was in celebration of African American Heritage Month. Ten contestants competed for an audience of more than 200, to be chosen as Eglin’s most talented performer. Crystal McGregor won, walking away with a $100 prize. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman 1st Class Anthony Jennings)