Portrait of a Ranger

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- An Army Ranger stands in front of a helicopter at the 6th Ranger Training Battalion during the their 60th Anniversary Open House event, May 7. The event was a chance for the public to learn how Rangers train and operate in extreme situations. The event displays showed dive equipment, weapons, a reptile zoo and zodiac boats. The demonstrations showed off hand-to-hand combat, a parachute jump, a down-pilot scenario and others. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Crowd control

Sgts. 1st Class Jasan Weaver and Joshua Campbell, 6th Ranger Training Battalion, allow kids to see and touch a poisonous snake during the "snake show" portion of the 60th Anniversary Open House at the Ranger Camp May 7. The event was a chance for the public to learn how Rangers train and operate in extreme situations. The event displays showed dive equipment, weapons, a reptile zoo and zodiac boats. The demonstrations showed off hand-to-hand combat, a parachute jump, a down-pilot scenario and others. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Hatchet man

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- A young "Ranger" tries to hit the bullseye with a hatchet during the 6th Ranger Training Battalion's 60th Anniversary Open House event, May 7. The event was a chance for the public to learn how Rangers train and operate in extreme situations. The event displays showed dive equipment, weapons, a reptile zoo and zodiac boats. The demonstrations showed off hand-to-hand combat, a parachute jump, a down-pilot scenario and others. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Snakes alive

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Sgts. 1st Class Jasan Weaver and Joshua Campbell, 6th Ranger Training Battalion, allow kids to see and touch a poisonous snake during the "snake show" portion of the 60th Anniversary Open House at the Ranger Camp May 7. The event was a chance for the public to learn how Rangers train and operate in extreme situations. The event displays showed dive equipment, weapons, a reptile zoo and zodiac boats. The demonstrations showed off hand-to-hand combat, a parachute jump, a down-pilot scenario and others. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Army strong

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Sgt. 1st Class Jason Benjamin, 6th Ranger Training Battalion, shows a "new recruit" how to clear the chamber of an M-249 assault rifle during their 60th Anniversary Open House event, May 7. The event was a chance for the public to learn how Rangers train and operate in extreme situations. The event displays showed dive equipment, weapons, a reptile zoo and zodiac boats. The demonstrations showed off hand-to-hand combat, a parachute jump, a down-pilot scenario and others. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Hit squad

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- A squad of Army Rangers in full gear pose for pictures during the 6th Ranger Training Battalion's 60th Anniversary Open House event, May 7. The event was a chance for the public to learn how Rangers train and operate in extreme situations. The event displays showed dive equipment, weapons, a reptile zoo and zodiac boats. The demonstrations showed off hand-to-hand combat, a parachute jump, a down-pilot scenario and others. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Helo rescue

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Dust and debris fly as an Army helicopter hovers over a downed pilot in one of demonstrations held during the 6th Ranger Training Battalion's 60th Anniversary Open House event, May 7. The event was a chance for the public to learn how Rangers train and operate in extreme situations. The event displays showed dive equipment, weapons, a reptile zoo and zodiac boats. The demonstrations showed off hand-to-hand combat, a parachute jump, a down-pilot scenario and others. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

3 round burst

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- An Army Ranger explains the "burst" setting on an M-4 to a Cub Scout during the 6th Ranger Training Battalion's 60th Anniversary Open House event, May 7. The event was a chance for the public to learn how Rangers train and operate in extreme situations. The event displays showed dive equipment, weapons, a reptile zoo and zodiac boats. The demonstrations showed off hand-to-hand combat, a parachute jump, a down-pilot scenario and others. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

For faithful and dedicated service

Kristen Johnson, widow of Senior Airman Daniel Johnson, tries to keep her composure after receiving a folded flag from Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz during the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Memorial ceremony May 7, 2011, at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. General Schwartz also presented a flag to Senior Airman Michael Buras’ widow, Emily, at the ceremony. Fifteen new names were added to the memorial wall this year. The total, which includes all services, now stands at 269. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Taps

Senior Airman Nicholas Cooper, 96th Air Base Wing honor guard, closes the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Memorial ceremony by playing Taps May 7 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Fifteen new names were added to the memorial wall this year. The total, which includes all services, now stands at 269. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

CSAF speaks with EOD Airmen

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz pays tribute to the families of lost and injured explosive ordnance disposal Airmen May 7, 2011, at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The general and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy addressed Air Force attendees and family members immediately after the annual EOD memorial ceremony, during which two new names of EOD Airmen were added to the wall. The general applauded Air Force EOD Airmen everywhere and sincerely thanked them for their sacrifices, both at home and overseas. In his remarks, General Schwartz also commemorated those EOD Airmen who have paid the ultimate price in service to their country. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

The suit

Navy Lt. Matt Malone, division officer at the Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal School, dons the bomb suit during a demonstration at the school house May 7. Demonstrations and displays were available to the visitors who'd attended the EOD Memorial ceremony that day. Fifteen new names were added to the memorial wall this year. The total, which includes all services, now stands at 269. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)